Point Arkwright vs Yaroomba, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Point Arkwright and Yaroomba are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 11.8 km and 11 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Yaroomba runs $550 a year cheaper than Point Arkwright, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,305.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $6,300, about $12 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Yaroomba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Point Arkwright | Yaroomba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,515 | $3,315 | +$200 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,450 | $2,100 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,830 | $9,280 | +$550 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,507 | $6,157 | +$350 |
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 | Point Arkwright | Yaroomba | 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, Point Arkwright vs Yaroomba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Point Arkwright and Yaroomba differ by $550 a year by car, but $350 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 $200, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $6,507 from Point Arkwright versus $6,157 from Yaroomba.
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 Yaroomba by $200 a year, $3,315 against $3,515.
- Building insurance favours Yaroomba by $350 a year, $2,100 against $2,450.
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 | Point Arkwright cumulative | Yaroomba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,830 | $9,280 | $550 |
| Year 3 | $30,384 | $28,684 | $1,700 |
| Year 5 | $52,189 | $49,269 | $2,920 |
| Year 10 | $112,690 | $106,385 | $6,305 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Point Arkwright or Yaroomba cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Point Arkwright runs $9,830 a year by car and Yaroomba $9,280, but most of the $550 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $200. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Point Arkwright and Yaroomba?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Point Arkwright (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Yaroomba (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Point Arkwright and $2,094 in Yaroomba. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Point Arkwright and Yaroomba?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,515 from Point Arkwright and $3,315 from Yaroomba to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Point Arkwright and $192 from Yaroomba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Point Arkwright and Yaroomba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Point Arkwright costs a cumulative $112,690 and Yaroomba costs $106,385 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,305 in favour of Yaroomba. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Point Arkwright and Yaroomba 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.