Emerald Beach vs Moonee Beach: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Emerald Beach and Moonee Beach are both Coffs Harbour rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 451.4 km and 447.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Emerald Beach
Moonee Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Emerald Beach | Moonee Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,490 | $1,490 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,890 | $23,890 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,690 | $8,690 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Emerald Beach | Moonee Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
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 — Emerald Beach vs Moonee Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Emerald Beach and Moonee Beach cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,690 and $8,690 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Emerald Beach cumulative | Moonee Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,890 | $23,890 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $73,842 | $73,842 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $126,835 | $126,835 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $273,872 | $273,872 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Emerald Beach or Moonee Beach cheaper to live in?
Emerald Beach is cheaper to run by car at $23,890 per year versus $23,890 for Moonee Beach, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Emerald Beach and Moonee Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,490 in Emerald Beach (Coffs Harbour rates (OLG) and $1,490 in Moonee Beach (Coffs Harbour rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Emerald Beach and $1,300 in Moonee Beach. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Emerald Beach and Moonee Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Emerald Beach and $17,600 from Moonee Beach to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Emerald Beach and $2,400 from Moonee Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Emerald Beach and Moonee Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Emerald Beach costs a cumulative $273,872 and Moonee Beach costs $273,872 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Emerald Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Emerald Beach and Moonee Beach 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.
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Sources: Coffs Harbour rates (OLG and Coffs Harbour rates (OLG 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.