Moonee Beach vs Sapphire Beach, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Moonee Beach and Sapphire Beach are both Coffs Harbour rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 12 km and 7.4 km from Coffs Harbour CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Sapphire Beach runs $2,167 a year cheaper than Moonee Beach, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $24,843.
Over 10 years, Sapphire Beach costs about $24,800 less to run than Moonee Beach. That's about $48 a week.
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Sapphire Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Moonee Beach | Sapphire Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,490 | $1,490 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,564 | $2,347 | +$1,217 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,564 | $2,347 | +$1,217 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,150 | $2,200 | +$950 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,504 | $7,337 | +$2,167 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,504 | $7,337 | +$2,167 |
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: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Moonee Beach | Sapphire Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
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, Moonee Beach vs Sapphire Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Sapphire Beach costs $2,167 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $24,843 in favour of Sapphire Beach.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,217 per year. Moonee Beach is 12 km from Coffs Harbour CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $2,167 per year, $9,504 from Moonee Beach versus $7,337 from Sapphire Beach.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,490 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Sapphire Beach by $1,217 a year, $2,347 against $3,564.
- Building insurance favours Sapphire Beach by $950 a year, $2,200 against $3,150.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Moonee Beach against medium in Sapphire Beach, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Moonee Beach against medium in Sapphire Beach, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 6.5 in Sapphire Beach against 5.3 in Moonee Beach, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Moonee Beach cumulative | Sapphire Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,504 | $7,337 | $2,167 |
| Year 3 | $29,376 | $22,678 | $6,698 |
| Year 5 | $50,458 | $38,953 | $11,505 |
| Year 10 | $108,953 | $84,110 | $24,843 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Moonee Beach or Sapphire Beach cheaper to live in?
Sapphire Beach is cheaper to run by car at $7,337 per year versus $9,504 for Moonee Beach, a difference of $2,167 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Moonee Beach and Sapphire Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,490 in Moonee Beach (Coffs Harbour rates (OLG) and $1,490 in Sapphire Beach (Coffs Harbour rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Moonee Beach and $1,300 in Sapphire Beach. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Moonee Beach and Sapphire Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,564 from Moonee Beach and $2,347 from Sapphire Beach to Coffs Harbour CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Moonee Beach and Sapphire Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Moonee Beach costs a cumulative $108,953 and Sapphire Beach costs $84,110 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $24,843 in favour of Sapphire Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Moonee Beach and Sapphire Beach suits you better?
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Sources: Coffs Harbour rates (OLG and Coffs Harbour rates (OLG 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.