Marcus Beach vs Sunrise Beach, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Marcus Beach and Sunrise Beach are both Noosa Council suburbs, sitting 6.3 km and 3.2 km from Noosa CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Sunrise Beach runs $905 a year cheaper than Marcus Beach, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,375.
Over 10 years, Sunrise Beach costs about $10,400 less to run than Marcus Beach. That's about $20 a week.
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Sunrise Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Marcus Beach | Sunrise Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,540 | $1,540 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,028 | $1,073 | +$955 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,200 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,900 | $2,200 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $7,812 | $6,907 | +$905 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,976 | $6,026 | -$50 |
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 | Marcus Beach | Sunrise 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, Marcus Beach vs Sunrise Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Sunrise Beach costs $905 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,375 in favour of Sunrise Beach.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $955 per year. Marcus Beach is 6.3 km from Noosa CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,976 and $6,026 a year, so the $905 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,540 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,094 a year.
- Driving commute favours Sunrise Beach by $955 a year, $1,073 against $2,028.
- Building insurance favours Marcus Beach by $50 a year, $2,150 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Marcus Beach cumulative | Sunrise Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,812 | $6,907 | $905 |
| Year 3 | $24,146 | $21,349 | $2,797 |
| Year 5 | $41,475 | $36,670 | $4,805 |
| Year 10 | $89,556 | $79,181 | $10,375 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marcus Beach or Sunrise Beach cheaper to live in?
Sunrise Beach is cheaper to run by car at $6,907 per year versus $7,812 for Marcus Beach, a difference of $905 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Marcus Beach and Sunrise Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,540 in Marcus Beach (Noosa Council) and $1,540 in Sunrise Beach (Noosa Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Marcus Beach and $2,094 in Sunrise Beach. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Marcus Beach and Sunrise Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,028 from Marcus Beach and $1,073 from Sunrise Beach to Noosa CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Marcus Beach and $192 from Sunrise Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Marcus Beach and Sunrise Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Marcus Beach costs a cumulative $89,556 and Sunrise Beach costs $79,181 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,375 in favour of Sunrise Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Marcus Beach and Sunrise Beach suits you better?
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Sources: Noosa Council and Noosa 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.