Cooroibah vs Tewantin, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cooroibah and Tewantin are both Noosa Council suburbs, sitting 9.7 km and 7.5 km from Noosa CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tewantin runs $503 a year cheaper than Cooroibah, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,766.
Over 10 years, Tewantin costs about $5,800 less to run than Cooroibah. That's about $11 a week.
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Tewantin
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cooroibah | Tewantin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,540 | $1,540 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,978 | $2,375 | +$603 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $2,150 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $2,000 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,662 | $8,159 | +$503 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,876 | $5,976 | -$100 |
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 | Cooroibah | Tewantin | 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, Cooroibah vs Tewantin (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tewantin costs $503 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,766 in favour of Tewantin.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $603 per year. Cooroibah is 9.7 km from Noosa CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,876 and $5,976 a year, so the $503 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,540 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,094 a year.
- Driving commute favours Tewantin by $603 a year, $2,375 against $2,978.
- Building insurance favours Cooroibah by $100 a year, $2,050 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 | Cooroibah cumulative | Tewantin cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,662 | $8,159 | $503 |
| Year 3 | $26,773 | $25,219 | $1,554 |
| Year 5 | $45,988 | $43,317 | $2,671 |
| Year 10 | $99,300 | $93,534 | $5,766 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cooroibah or Tewantin cheaper to live in?
Tewantin is cheaper to run by car at $8,159 per year versus $8,662 for Cooroibah, a difference of $503 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cooroibah and Tewantin?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,540 in Cooroibah (Noosa Council) and $1,540 in Tewantin (Noosa Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Cooroibah and $2,094 in Tewantin. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cooroibah and Tewantin?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,978 from Cooroibah and $2,375 from Tewantin to Noosa CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cooroibah and $192 from Tewantin.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cooroibah and Tewantin?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cooroibah costs a cumulative $99,300 and Tewantin costs $93,534 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,766 in favour of Tewantin. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cooroibah and Tewantin suits you better?
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Sources: Noosa Council and Noosa 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.