Highworth vs Image Flat, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Highworth and Image Flat are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 16 km and 16.5 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Highworth runs $355 a year cheaper than Image Flat, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,069.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $4,100, about $8 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Image Flat
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Highworth | Image Flat | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,472 | $4,577 | -$105 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,350 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,437 | $10,792 | -$355 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,157 | $6,407 | -$250 |
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 | Highworth | Image Flat | 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, Highworth vs Image Flat (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Highworth and Image Flat differ by $355 a year by car, but $250 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 $105, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $6,157 from Highworth versus $6,407 from Image Flat.
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 Highworth by $105 a year, $4,472 against $4,577.
- Building insurance favours Highworth by $250 a year, $2,100 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Highworth cumulative | Image Flat cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,437 | $10,792 | $355 |
| Year 3 | $32,260 | $33,357 | $1,097 |
| Year 5 | $55,411 | $57,296 | $1,885 |
| Year 10 | $119,649 | $123,718 | $4,069 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Highworth or Image Flat cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Highworth runs $10,437 a year by car and Image Flat $10,792, but most of the $355 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $105. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Highworth and Image Flat?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Highworth (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Image Flat (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Highworth and $2,094 in Image Flat. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Highworth and Image Flat?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,472 from Highworth and $4,577 from Image Flat to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Highworth and $192 from Image Flat.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Highworth and Image Flat?
At 3% annual cost growth, Highworth costs a cumulative $119,649 and Image Flat costs $123,718 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,069 in favour of Highworth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Highworth and Image Flat 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.