Coolum Beach vs Yaroomba: 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 Yaroomba are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 13.7 km and 11 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Yaroomba runs $603 a year cheaper than Coolum Beach, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,913.
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
Yaroomba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coolum Beach | Yaroomba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,968 | $3,315 | +$653 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,950 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,200 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $10,733 | $10,130 | +$603 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,957 | $7,007 | -$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Coolum Beach | Yaroomba | 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 Yaroomba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Yaroomba costs $603 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,913 in favour of Yaroomba.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $653 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 two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,957 and $7,007 a year, so the $603 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Yaroomba by $653 a year, $3,315 against $3,968.
- Building insurance favours Coolum Beach by $50 a year, $2,900 against $2,950.
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 | Yaroomba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,733 | $10,130 | $603 |
| Year 3 | $33,175 | $31,311 | $1,864 |
| Year 5 | $56,983 | $53,782 | $3,201 |
| Year 10 | $123,042 | $116,129 | $6,913 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coolum Beach or Yaroomba cheaper to live in?
Yaroomba is cheaper to run by car at $10,130 per year versus $10,733 for Coolum Beach, a difference of $603 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 Yaroomba?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Coolum Beach (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Yaroomba (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Coolum Beach and $2,094 in Yaroomba. 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 Yaroomba?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,968 from Coolum Beach and $3,315 from Yaroomba to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Coolum Beach and $192 from Yaroomba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coolum Beach and Yaroomba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coolum Beach costs a cumulative $123,042 and Yaroomba costs $116,129 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,913 in favour of Yaroomba. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coolum Beach and Yaroomba 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.