Mudjimba vs Pacific Paradise, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mudjimba and Pacific Paradise are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 3.7 km and 3.5 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $213 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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Pacific Paradise
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mudjimba | Pacific Paradise | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,233 | $1,170 | +$63 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $2,100 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,348 | $7,135 | +$213 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,307 | $6,157 | +$150 |
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 | Mudjimba | Pacific Paradise | 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, Mudjimba vs Pacific Paradise (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mudjimba and Pacific Paradise differ by $213 a year by car, but $150 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 $63, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,307 and $6,157 a year, so the $213 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 Pacific Paradise by $63 a year, $1,170 against $1,233.
- Building insurance favours Pacific Paradise by $150 a year, $2,100 against $2,250.
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 | Mudjimba cumulative | Pacific Paradise cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,348 | $7,135 | $213 |
| Year 3 | $22,712 | $22,054 | $658 |
| Year 5 | $39,012 | $37,881 | $1,131 |
| Year 10 | $84,237 | $81,795 | $2,442 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mudjimba or Pacific Paradise cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Mudjimba runs $7,348 a year by car and Pacific Paradise $7,135, but most of the $213 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $63. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mudjimba and Pacific Paradise?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Mudjimba (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Pacific Paradise (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Mudjimba and $2,094 in Pacific Paradise. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mudjimba and Pacific Paradise?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,233 from Mudjimba and $1,170 from Pacific Paradise to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mudjimba and $192 from Pacific Paradise.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mudjimba and Pacific Paradise?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mudjimba costs a cumulative $84,237 and Pacific Paradise costs $81,795 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,442 in favour of Pacific Paradise. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mudjimba and Pacific Paradise 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.