Forest Glen vs Woombye, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Forest Glen and Woombye are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 8.3 km and 11.4 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Forest Glen runs $1,016 a year cheaper than Woombye, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,648.
Over 10 years, Forest Glen costs about $11,600 less to run than Woombye. That's about $22 a week.
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Woombye
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Forest Glen | Woombye | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,600 | $3,416 | -$816 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,350 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,615 | $9,631 | -$1,016 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,207 | $6,407 | -$200 |
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 | Forest Glen | Woombye | 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, Forest Glen vs Woombye (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Forest Glen costs $1,016 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,648 in favour of Forest Glen.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $816 per year. Woombye is 11.4 km from Maroochydore CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,207 from Forest Glen versus $6,407 from Woombye.
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 Forest Glen by $816 a year, $2,600 against $3,416.
- Building insurance favours Forest Glen by $200 a year, $2,150 against $2,350.
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.
The catchment state school scores 7.3 in Forest Glen against 6.3 in Woombye, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Forest Glen cumulative | Woombye cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,615 | $9,631 | $1,016 |
| Year 3 | $26,628 | $29,768 | $3,140 |
| Year 5 | $45,738 | $51,132 | $5,394 |
| Year 10 | $98,761 | $110,409 | $11,648 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Forest Glen or Woombye cheaper to live in?
Forest Glen is cheaper to run by car at $8,615 per year versus $9,631 for Woombye, a difference of $1,016 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Forest Glen and Woombye?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Forest Glen (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Woombye (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Forest Glen and $2,094 in Woombye. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Forest Glen and Woombye?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,600 from Forest Glen and $3,416 from Woombye to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Forest Glen and $192 from Woombye.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Forest Glen and Woombye?
At 3% annual cost growth, Forest Glen costs a cumulative $98,761 and Woombye costs $110,409 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,648 in favour of Forest Glen. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Forest Glen and Woombye suits you better?
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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.