Cooroy Mountain vs Lake Macdonald, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cooroy Mountain and Lake Macdonald are both Noosa Council suburbs, sitting 14.7 km and 15.4 km from Noosa CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $48 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
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Lake Macdonald
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cooroy Mountain | Lake Macdonald | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,540 | $1,540 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,193 | $4,345 | -$152 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,700 | $1,600 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $10,027 | $9,979 | +$48 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,026 | $5,826 | +$200 |
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 | Cooroy Mountain | Lake Macdonald | 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, Cooroy Mountain vs Lake Macdonald (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cooroy Mountain and Lake Macdonald cost within $48 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $550, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,026 from Cooroy Mountain versus $5,826 from Lake Macdonald.
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 Cooroy Mountain by $152 a year, $4,193 against $4,345.
- Building insurance favours Lake Macdonald by $200 a year, $2,000 against $2,200.
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 | Cooroy Mountain cumulative | Lake Macdonald cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,027 | $9,979 | $48 |
| Year 3 | $30,992 | $30,844 | $148 |
| Year 5 | $53,235 | $52,980 | $255 |
| Year 10 | $114,948 | $114,398 | $550 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cooroy Mountain or Lake Macdonald cheaper to live in?
Lake Macdonald is cheaper to run by car at $9,979 per year versus $10,027 for Cooroy Mountain, a difference of $48 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cooroy Mountain and Lake Macdonald?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,540 in Cooroy Mountain (Noosa Council) and $1,540 in Lake Macdonald (Noosa Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Cooroy Mountain and $2,094 in Lake Macdonald. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cooroy Mountain and Lake Macdonald?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,193 from Cooroy Mountain and $4,345 from Lake Macdonald to Noosa CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cooroy Mountain and $192 from Lake Macdonald.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cooroy Mountain and Lake Macdonald?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cooroy Mountain costs a cumulative $114,948 and Lake Macdonald costs $114,398 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $550 in favour of Lake Macdonald. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cooroy Mountain and Lake Macdonald 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.