Coolum Beach vs Yandina Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Coolum Beach and Yandina Creek are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 13.7 km and 14.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Coolum Beach runs $310 a year cheaper than Yandina Creek, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,554.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Coolum Beach
Yandina Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coolum Beach | Yandina Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,837 | $4,097 | -$260 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,950 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $1,800 | +$800 |
| Total (driving) | $10,602 | $10,912 | -$310 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,957 | $7,007 | -$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Coolum Beach | Yandina Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 Yandina Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coolum Beach costs $310 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,554 in favour of Coolum Beach.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $260 per year. Yandina Creek is 14.9 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,957 and $7,007 a year, so the $310 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coolum Beach cumulative | Yandina Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,602 | $10,912 | $310 |
| Year 3 | $32,770 | $33,728 | $958 |
| Year 5 | $56,287 | $57,933 | $1,646 |
| Year 10 | $121,540 | $125,094 | $3,554 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coolum Beach or Yandina Creek cheaper to live in?
Coolum Beach is cheaper to run by car at $10,602 per year versus $10,912 for Yandina Creek, a difference of $310 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coolum Beach and Yandina Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Coolum Beach (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Yandina Creek (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Coolum Beach and $2,094 in Yandina Creek. 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 Yandina Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,837 from Coolum Beach and $4,097 from Yandina Creek to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Coolum Beach and $192 from Yandina Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coolum Beach and Yandina Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coolum Beach costs a cumulative $121,540 and Yandina Creek costs $125,094 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,554 in favour of Coolum Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coolum Beach and Yandina Creek is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Sunshine Coast Council and Sunshine Coast Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.