Kidaman Creek vs Obi Obi, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kidaman Creek and Obi Obi are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 31.8 km and 27.3 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $211 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 $2,400, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Obi Obi
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kidaman Creek | Obi Obi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,695 | $6,284 | +$411 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,700 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,560 | $12,349 | +$211 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,057 | $6,257 | -$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 | Kidaman Creek | Obi Obi | 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, Kidaman Creek vs Obi Obi (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kidaman Creek and Obi Obi differ by $211 a year by car, but $200 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 $411, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $411 per year. Kidaman Creek is 31.8 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, $6,057 from Kidaman Creek versus $6,257 from Obi Obi.
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 Obi Obi by $411 a year, $6,284 against $6,695.
- Building insurance favours Kidaman Creek by $200 a year, $2,000 against $2,200.
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 7.2 in Obi Obi against 5.6 in Kidaman Creek, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kidaman Creek cumulative | Obi Obi cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,560 | $12,349 | $211 |
| Year 3 | $38,822 | $38,170 | $652 |
| Year 5 | $66,683 | $65,563 | $1,120 |
| Year 10 | $143,986 | $141,567 | $2,419 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kidaman Creek or Obi Obi cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Kidaman Creek runs $12,560 a year by car and Obi Obi $12,349, but most of the $211 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $411. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kidaman Creek and Obi Obi?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Kidaman Creek (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Obi Obi (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Kidaman Creek and $2,094 in Obi Obi. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kidaman Creek and Obi Obi?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,695 from Kidaman Creek and $6,284 from Obi Obi to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Kidaman Creek and $192 from Obi Obi.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kidaman Creek and Obi Obi?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kidaman Creek costs a cumulative $143,986 and Obi Obi costs $141,567 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,419 in favour of Obi Obi. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kidaman Creek and Obi Obi 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.