Ilkley vs Mooloolah Valley: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ilkley and Mooloolah Valley are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 12.8 km and 17.5 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Ilkley runs $1,021 a year cheaper than Mooloolah Valley, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,705.
Over 10 years, Ilkley costs about $11,700 less to run than Mooloolah Valley — the same as paying $11,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Mooloolah Valley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ilkley | Mooloolah Valley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,757 | $4,778 | -$1,021 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $3,200 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $1,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,822 | $11,843 | -$1,021 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,257 | $7,257 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Ilkley | Mooloolah Valley | 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 — Ilkley vs Mooloolah Valley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ilkley costs $1,021 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,705 in favour of Ilkley.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,021 per year. Mooloolah Valley is 17.5 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, $7,257 and $7,257 a year, so the $1,021 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 Ilkley by $1,021 a year, $3,757 against $4,778.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,200 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 7.3 in Ilkley against 6.3 in Mooloolah Valley, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ilkley cumulative | Mooloolah Valley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,822 | $11,843 | $1,021 |
| Year 3 | $33,450 | $36,606 | $3,156 |
| Year 5 | $57,455 | $62,876 | $5,421 |
| Year 10 | $124,062 | $135,767 | $11,705 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ilkley or Mooloolah Valley cheaper to live in?
Ilkley is cheaper to run by car at $10,822 per year versus $11,843 for Mooloolah Valley, a difference of $1,021 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ilkley and Mooloolah Valley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Ilkley (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Mooloolah Valley (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Ilkley and $2,094 in Mooloolah Valley. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Ilkley and Mooloolah Valley?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,757 from Ilkley and $4,778 from Mooloolah Valley to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ilkley and $192 from Mooloolah Valley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ilkley and Mooloolah Valley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ilkley costs a cumulative $124,062 and Mooloolah Valley costs $135,767 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,705 in favour of Ilkley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ilkley and Mooloolah Valley 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.