Kings Beach vs Moffat Beach, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kings Beach and Moffat Beach are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 17.4 km and 16.3 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $122 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 $1,400, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Moffat Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kings Beach | Moffat Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,758 | $4,536 | +$222 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,650 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,200 | +$600 |
| Total (driving) | $10,173 | $10,051 | +$122 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,607 | $5,707 | -$100 |
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 | Kings Beach | Moffat Beach | 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, Kings Beach vs Moffat Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kings Beach and Moffat Beach differ by $122 a year by car, but $100 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 $222, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $222 per year. Kings Beach is 17.4 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, $5,607 and $5,707 a year, so the $122 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 Moffat Beach by $222 a year, $4,536 against $4,758.
- Building insurance favours Kings Beach by $100 a year, $1,550 against $1,650.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Moffat Beach against low in Kings Beach, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kings Beach cumulative | Moffat Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,173 | $10,051 | $122 |
| Year 3 | $31,444 | $31,067 | $377 |
| Year 5 | $54,010 | $53,362 | $648 |
| Year 10 | $116,622 | $115,223 | $1,399 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kings Beach or Moffat Beach cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Kings Beach runs $10,173 a year by car and Moffat Beach $10,051, but most of the $122 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $222. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kings Beach and Moffat Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Kings Beach (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Moffat Beach (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Kings Beach and $2,094 in Moffat Beach. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kings Beach and Moffat Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,758 from Kings Beach and $4,536 from Moffat Beach to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Kings Beach and $192 from Moffat Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kings Beach and Moffat Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kings Beach costs a cumulative $116,622 and Moffat Beach costs $115,223 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,399 in favour of Moffat Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kings Beach and Moffat Beach 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.