Cooya Beach vs Newell: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cooya Beach and Newell are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 66 km and 68.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Newell runs $904 a year cheaper than Cooya Beach, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,364.
Over 10 years, Newell costs about $10,400 less to run than Cooya Beach — the same as paying $10,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Cooya Beach
Newell
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cooya Beach | Newell | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,903 | $3,399 | +$504 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $7,200 | $6,800 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,500 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $14,033 | $13,129 | +$904 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,322 | $9,922 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cooya Beach | Newell | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,218 | $2,218 | - |
| Unit | $1,773 | $1,773 | - |
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 — Cooya Beach vs Newell (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Newell costs $904 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,364 in favour of Newell.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $504 per year. Newell is 68.2 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $10,322 from Cooya Beach versus $9,922 from Newell.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cooya Beach cumulative | Newell cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $14,033 | $13,129 | $904 |
| Year 3 | $43,375 | $40,580 | $2,795 |
| Year 5 | $74,503 | $69,704 | $4,799 |
| Year 10 | $160,873 | $150,509 | $10,364 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cooya Beach or Newell cheaper to live in?
Newell is cheaper to run by car at $13,129 per year versus $14,033 for Cooya Beach, a difference of $904 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cooya Beach and Newell?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,165 in Cooya Beach (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 in Newell (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Cooya Beach and $1,765 in Newell. 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 Newell?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,903 from Cooya Beach and $3,399 from Newell to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cooya Beach and $192 from Newell.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cooya Beach and Newell?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cooya Beach costs a cumulative $160,873 and Newell costs $150,509 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,364 in favour of Newell. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cooya Beach and Newell 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: Cairns Regional Council and Cairns Regional Council 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.