True annual cost of living in Coolum Beach, QLD 4573
Living in a house in Coolum Beach costs about $10,733 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Coolum Beach sits 13.7 kilometres from Maroochydore CBD. Unit costs reach $11,133, with the $2,600 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. Switching from driving to public transport saves $3,776 per year at this distance.
ATO 91c/km · 13.7km from Maroochydore CBD · 192 days
$3,968
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire High
$2,900
Body corporate
Estimated
$2,600
Total annual running cost
$10,733
($894/month)
↓ 5% below Sunshine Coast Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○5.7/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 67% of Sunshine Coast Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost
typical 2-person household
House
$2,135/yr
5,126 kWh
Unit
$1,776/yr
3,845 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Coolum Beach's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Getting around Coolum Beach
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Supermarkets
4
Cafes
5
Parks
8
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-08-07. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Coolum Beach to Maroochydore CBD?
Public transport saves Coolum Beach residents $3,776 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $3,968 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Coolum Beach?
Coolum Beach falls under Sunshine Coast Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,771 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,771 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Coolum Beach?
Running a unit in Coolum Beach costs approximately $11,133 per year by car or $7,357 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,771, water and sewerage $2,094, estimated body corporate levy of $2,600, and contents insurance of $700. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Coolum Beach close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Coolum Beach. The running cost on this page assumes driving, which is why the commute component is the largest line for most suburbs in this position.
What shops and parks are in Coolum Beach?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Coolum Beach there are 4 supermarkets, 5 cafes and 8 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.
Your report is opening in a new tab. Check your inbox if it doesn't appear within a minute.
Data sources: Council rates: Sunshine Coast Council 2026-27. Water: Unitywater (Sunshine Coast/Noosa) 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data updated 2026-07. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.