Parrearra vs Warana, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Parrearra and Warana are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 7.3 km and 8.6 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $164 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 $1,900, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Parrearra
Warana
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Parrearra | Warana | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,318 | $2,682 | -$364 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,300 | $2,100 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,483 | $8,647 | -$164 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,357 | $6,157 | +$200 |
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 | Parrearra | Warana | 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, Parrearra vs Warana (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Parrearra and Warana differ by $164 a year by car, but $200 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 $364, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $364 per year. Warana is 8.6 km from Maroochydore CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,357 from Parrearra versus $6,157 from Warana.
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 Parrearra by $364 a year, $2,318 against $2,682.
- Building insurance favours Warana by $200 a year, $2,100 against $2,300.
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 | Parrearra cumulative | Warana cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,483 | $8,647 | $164 |
| Year 3 | $26,220 | $26,727 | $507 |
| Year 5 | $45,037 | $45,908 | $871 |
| Year 10 | $97,248 | $99,128 | $1,880 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Parrearra or Warana cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Parrearra runs $8,483 a year by car and Warana $8,647, but most of the $164 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $364. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Parrearra and Warana?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Parrearra (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Warana (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Parrearra and $2,094 in Warana. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Parrearra and Warana?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,318 from Parrearra and $2,682 from Warana to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Parrearra and $192 from Warana.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Parrearra and Warana?
At 3% annual cost growth, Parrearra costs a cumulative $97,248 and Warana costs $99,128 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,880 in favour of Parrearra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Parrearra and Warana suits you better?
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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.