Coolum Beach vs Point Arkwright, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Coolum Beach and Point Arkwright are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 13.7 km and 11.8 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $53 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
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Point Arkwright
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coolum Beach | Point Arkwright | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,968 | $3,515 | +$453 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $2,450 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,200 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $9,883 | $9,830 | +$53 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,107 | $6,507 | -$400 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Coolum Beach | Point Arkwright | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Coolum Beach vs Point Arkwright (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coolum Beach and Point Arkwright cost within $53 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $608, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $453 per year. Coolum Beach is 13.7 km from Maroochydore CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $6,107 from Coolum Beach versus $6,507 from Point Arkwright.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,771 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,094 a year.
- Driving commute favours Point Arkwright by $453 a year, $3,515 against $3,968.
- Building insurance favours Coolum Beach by $400 a year, $2,050 against $2,450.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coolum Beach cumulative | Point Arkwright cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,883 | $9,830 | $53 |
| Year 3 | $30,547 | $30,384 | $163 |
| Year 5 | $52,470 | $52,189 | $281 |
| Year 10 | $113,298 | $112,690 | $608 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coolum Beach or Point Arkwright cheaper to live in?
Point Arkwright is cheaper to run by car at $9,830 per year versus $9,883 for Coolum Beach, a difference of $53 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coolum Beach and Point Arkwright?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Coolum Beach (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Point Arkwright (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Coolum Beach and $2,094 in Point Arkwright. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Coolum Beach and Point Arkwright?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,968 from Coolum Beach and $3,515 from Point Arkwright to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Coolum Beach and $192 from Point Arkwright.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coolum Beach and Point Arkwright?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coolum Beach costs a cumulative $113,298 and Point Arkwright costs $112,690 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $608 in favour of Point Arkwright. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coolum Beach and Point Arkwright suits you better?
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Sources: Sunshine Coast Council and Sunshine Coast Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.