Cooroy vs Cooroy Mountain: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cooroy and Cooroy Mountain are both Noosa Council suburbs, sitting 19.4 km and 14.7 km from Noosa CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cooroy Mountain runs $642 a year cheaper than Cooroy, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,360.
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 →Cooroy
Cooroy Mountain
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cooroy | Cooroy Mountain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,540 | $1,540 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,135 | $4,193 | +$942 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $3,200 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,700 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $11,669 | $11,027 | +$642 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,726 | $7,026 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cooroy | Cooroy Mountain | 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 vs Cooroy Mountain (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cooroy Mountain costs $642 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,360 in favour of Cooroy Mountain.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $942 per year. Cooroy is 19.4 km from Noosa CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $6,726 from Cooroy versus $7,026 from Cooroy Mountain.
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 $942 a year, $4,193 against $5,135.
- Building insurance favours Cooroy by $300 a year, $2,900 against $3,200.
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 cumulative | Cooroy Mountain cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,669 | $11,027 | $642 |
| Year 3 | $36,068 | $34,083 | $1,985 |
| Year 5 | $61,952 | $58,544 | $3,408 |
| Year 10 | $133,772 | $126,412 | $7,360 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cooroy or Cooroy Mountain cheaper to live in?
Cooroy Mountain is cheaper to run by car at $11,027 per year versus $11,669 for Cooroy, a difference of $642 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cooroy and Cooroy Mountain?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,540 in Cooroy (Noosa Council) and $1,540 in Cooroy Mountain (Noosa Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Cooroy and $2,094 in Cooroy Mountain. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cooroy and Cooroy Mountain?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,135 from Cooroy and $4,193 from Cooroy Mountain to Noosa CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cooroy and $192 from Cooroy Mountain.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cooroy and Cooroy Mountain?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cooroy costs a cumulative $133,772 and Cooroy Mountain costs $126,412 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,360 in favour of Cooroy Mountain. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cooroy and Cooroy Mountain 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.