Coomera vs Pimpama, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Coomera and Pimpama are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 15 km and 19.4 km from Gold Coast CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Coomera runs $927 a year cheaper than Pimpama, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,627.
Over 10 years, Coomera costs about $10,600 less to run than Pimpama. That's about $20 a week.
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Pimpama
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coomera | Pimpama | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,258 | $5,135 | -$877 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,150 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,400 | $2,200 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,886 | $10,813 | -$927 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,820 | $5,870 | -$50 |
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 | Coomera | Pimpama | 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, Coomera vs Pimpama (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coomera costs $927 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,627 in favour of Coomera.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $877 per year. Pimpama is 19.4 km from Gold Coast CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,820 and $5,870 a year, so the $927 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,359 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,169 a year.
- Driving commute favours Coomera by $877 a year, $4,258 against $5,135.
- Building insurance favours Coomera by $50 a year, $2,100 against $2,150.
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 | Coomera cumulative | Pimpama cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,886 | $10,813 | $927 |
| Year 3 | $30,557 | $33,422 | $2,865 |
| Year 5 | $52,486 | $57,408 | $4,922 |
| Year 10 | $113,332 | $123,959 | $10,627 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coomera or Pimpama cheaper to live in?
Coomera is cheaper to run by car at $9,886 per year versus $10,813 for Pimpama, a difference of $927 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coomera and Pimpama?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Coomera (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Pimpama (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Coomera and $2,169 in Pimpama. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Coomera and Pimpama?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,258 from Coomera and $5,135 from Pimpama to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Coomera and $192 from Pimpama.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coomera and Pimpama?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coomera costs a cumulative $113,332 and Pimpama costs $123,959 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,627 in favour of Coomera. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coomera and Pimpama suits you better?
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Sources: City of Gold Coast and City of Gold Coast 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.