Palmwoods vs Woombye: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Palmwoods and Woombye are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 14.2 km and 11.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Woombye runs $444 a year cheaper than Palmwoods, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,090.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Palmwoods
Woombye
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Palmwoods | Woombye | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,947 | $3,303 | +$644 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,300 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,912 | $10,468 | +$444 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,157 | $7,357 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Palmwoods | Woombye | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Palmwoods vs Woombye (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Woombye costs $444 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,090 in favour of Woombye.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $644 per year. Palmwoods is 14.2 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,157 from Palmwoods versus $7,357 from Woombye.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Palmwoods cumulative | Woombye cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,912 | $10,468 | $444 |
| Year 3 | $33,728 | $32,356 | $1,372 |
| Year 5 | $57,933 | $55,576 | $2,357 |
| Year 10 | $125,094 | $120,004 | $5,090 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Palmwoods or Woombye cheaper to live in?
Woombye is cheaper to run by car at $10,468 per year versus $10,912 for Palmwoods, a difference of $444 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Palmwoods and Woombye?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Palmwoods (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Woombye (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Palmwoods and $2,094 in Woombye. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Palmwoods and Woombye?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,947 from Palmwoods and $3,303 from Woombye to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Palmwoods and $192 from Woombye.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Palmwoods and Woombye?
At 3% annual cost growth, Palmwoods costs a cumulative $125,094 and Woombye costs $120,004 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,090 in favour of Woombye. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Palmwoods and Woombye is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Sunshine Coast Council and Sunshine Coast Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.