Coomera vs Pimpama: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Coomera and Pimpama are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 15 km and 19.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Coomera runs $948 a year cheaper than Pimpama, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,868.
Over 10 years, Coomera costs about $10,900 less to run than Pimpama — the same as paying $10,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Pimpama
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coomera | Pimpama | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,118 | $4,966 | -$848 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $3,100 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,200 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,646 | $11,594 | -$948 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,720 | $6,820 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Coomera | Pimpama | 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 — Coomera vs Pimpama (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coomera costs $948 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,868 in favour of Coomera.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $848 per year. Pimpama is 19.4 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, $6,720 and $6,820 a year, so the $948 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coomera cumulative | Pimpama cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,646 | $11,594 | $948 |
| Year 3 | $32,906 | $35,836 | $2,930 |
| Year 5 | $56,521 | $61,554 | $5,033 |
| Year 10 | $122,044 | $132,912 | $10,868 |
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 $10,646 per year versus $11,594 for Pimpama, a difference of $948 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $4,118 from Coomera and $4,966 from Pimpama to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $122,044 and Pimpama costs $132,912 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,868 in favour of Coomera. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coomera and Pimpama is best to actually live in?
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.