Mount Coolum vs Point Arkwright, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Coolum and Point Arkwright are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 9.6 km and 11.8 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Coolum runs $563 a year cheaper than Point Arkwright, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,454.
Over 10 years, Mount Coolum costs about $6,500 less to run than Point Arkwright. That's about $12 a week.
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Point Arkwright
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Coolum | Point Arkwright | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,952 | $3,515 | -$563 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,450 | $2,450 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,267 | $9,830 | -$563 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,507 | $6,507 | - |
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 | Mount Coolum | Point Arkwright | 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, Mount Coolum vs Point Arkwright (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Coolum costs $563 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,454 in favour of Mount Coolum.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $563 per year. Point Arkwright is 11.8 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, $6,507 and $6,507 a year, so the $563 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 Mount Coolum by $563 a year, $2,952 against $3,515.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,450 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Coolum cumulative | Point Arkwright cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,267 | $9,830 | $563 |
| Year 3 | $28,643 | $30,384 | $1,741 |
| Year 5 | $49,200 | $52,189 | $2,989 |
| Year 10 | $106,236 | $112,690 | $6,454 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Coolum or Point Arkwright cheaper to live in?
Mount Coolum is cheaper to run by car at $9,267 per year versus $9,830 for Point Arkwright, a difference of $563 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Coolum and Point Arkwright?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Mount Coolum (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Point Arkwright (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Mount Coolum and $2,094 in Point Arkwright. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mount Coolum and Point Arkwright?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,952 from Mount Coolum and $3,515 from Point Arkwright to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mount Coolum and $192 from Point Arkwright.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Coolum and Point Arkwright?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Coolum costs a cumulative $106,236 and Point Arkwright costs $112,690 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,454 in favour of Mount Coolum. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Coolum and Point Arkwright 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.