Dicky Beach vs Kings Beach, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dicky Beach and Kings Beach are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 15.3 km and 17.4 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $284 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 the gap between these two is about $3,300, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Dicky Beach
Kings Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dicky Beach | Kings Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,324 | $4,758 | -$434 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,700 | $1,550 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,800 | -$600 |
| Total (driving) | $9,889 | $10,173 | -$284 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,757 | $5,607 | +$150 |
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 | Dicky Beach | Kings Beach | 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, Dicky Beach vs Kings Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dicky Beach and Kings Beach differ by $284 a year by car, but $150 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $434, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $434 per year. Kings Beach is 17.4 km from Maroochydore CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,757 and $5,607 a year, so the $284 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,771 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,094 a year.
- Driving commute favours Dicky Beach by $434 a year, $4,324 against $4,758.
- Building insurance favours Kings Beach by $150 a year, $1,550 against $1,700.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Dicky Beach against low in Kings Beach, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dicky Beach cumulative | Kings Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,889 | $10,173 | $284 |
| Year 3 | $30,566 | $31,444 | $878 |
| Year 5 | $52,502 | $54,010 | $1,508 |
| Year 10 | $113,366 | $116,622 | $3,256 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dicky Beach or Kings Beach cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Dicky Beach runs $9,889 a year by car and Kings Beach $10,173, but most of the $284 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $434. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dicky Beach and Kings Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Dicky Beach (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Kings Beach (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Dicky Beach and $2,094 in Kings Beach. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Dicky Beach and Kings Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,324 from Dicky Beach and $4,758 from Kings Beach to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Dicky Beach and $192 from Kings Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dicky Beach and Kings Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dicky Beach costs a cumulative $113,366 and Kings Beach costs $116,622 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,256 in favour of Dicky Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dicky Beach and Kings Beach suits you better?
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.
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Sources: Sunshine Coast Council and Sunshine Coast 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.