Cooya Beach vs Mossman, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cooya Beach and Mossman are both Douglas Shire Council suburbs, sitting 66 km and 67.5 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mossman runs $550 a year cheaper than Cooya Beach, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,305.
Over 10 years, Mossman costs about $6,300 less to run than Cooya Beach. That's about $12 a week.
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Mossman
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cooya Beach | Mossman | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,036 | $3,686 | +$350 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,036 | $3,686 | +$350 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,700 | $3,500 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,600 | $1,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,901 | $10,351 | +$550 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,901 | $10,351 | +$550 |
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 | Cooya Beach | Mossman | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,373 | $2,373 | - |
| Unit | $1,945 | $1,945 | - |
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, Cooya Beach vs Mossman (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mossman costs $550 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,305 in favour of Mossman.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $350 per year. Mossman is 67.5 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $550 per year, $10,901 from Cooya Beach versus $10,351 from Mossman.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,400 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mossman by $350 a year, $3,686 against $4,036.
- Building insurance favours Mossman by $200 a year, $3,500 against $3,700.
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 | Cooya Beach cumulative | Mossman cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,901 | $10,351 | $550 |
| Year 3 | $33,694 | $31,994 | $1,700 |
| Year 5 | $57,875 | $54,955 | $2,920 |
| Year 10 | $124,968 | $118,663 | $6,305 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cooya Beach or Mossman cheaper to live in?
Mossman is cheaper to run by car at $10,351 per year versus $10,901 for Cooya Beach, a difference of $550 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cooya Beach and Mossman?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,400 in Cooya Beach (Douglas Shire Council) and $1,400 in Mossman (Douglas Shire Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Cooya Beach and $1,765 in Mossman. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cooya Beach and Mossman?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,036 from Cooya Beach and $3,686 from Mossman to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cooya Beach and Mossman?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cooya Beach costs a cumulative $124,968 and Mossman costs $118,663 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,305 in favour of Mossman. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cooya Beach and Mossman suits you better?
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Sources: Douglas Shire Council and Douglas Shire 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.