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Map of Dicky Beach
15.3 km from Maroochydore CBD
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True annual cost of living in Dicky Beach, QLD 4551

Living in a house in Dicky Beach costs about $9,889 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Dicky Beach sits 15.3 kilometres from Maroochydore CBD. Unit costs reach $10,969, with the $2,200 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 15.3km from Maroochydore CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $4,132. The gap widens as commute costs rise.

Last updated July 2026 · Sunshine Coast Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 68% of Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, about 5% below the regional average.
The commute is the biggest expense at $4,324, roughly 44% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $4,132 a year.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$9,889
Driving · per year
$824/month
About $190 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$10,969
Incl. body corporate
$914/month
About $211 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$1,080
Unit costs more per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Sunshine Coast Council
$1,771
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Unitywater (Sunshine Coast/Noosa)
$2,094
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 15.3km from Maroochydore CBD · 192 days
$4,324
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire Medium
$1,700
Total annual running cost
$9,889
($824/month, $190/week)

Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Management Levy on your rates notice, $260 a year here (levy class A, 2026-27).

↓ 5% below Sunshine Coast Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 6.6/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 68% 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 Dicky 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 Dicky Beach

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Caloundra Bus Station, 2,407 m away, about a 30 minute walk. It is a bus stop.
Nearest hospital
Ramsay Clinic Caloundra, 972 m away, about a 12 minute walk.
Supermarkets
3
Cafes
4
Parks
27
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-11-03. 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.

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Frequently asked questions about Dicky Beach

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Dicky Beach to Maroochydore CBD?

Public transport saves Dicky Beach residents $4,132 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $4,324 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in Dicky Beach?

Dicky 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 Dicky Beach?

Running a unit in Dicky Beach costs approximately $10,969 per year by car or $6,837 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,771, water and sewerage $2,094, estimated body corporate levy of $2,200, and contents insurance of $580. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Dicky Beach close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Dicky Beach is Caloundra Bus Station, a bus stop about 2,407 m away, about a 30 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.

What is the closest hospital to Dicky Beach?

The closest hospital to the centre of Dicky Beach is Ramsay Clinic Caloundra, about 972 m away, about a 12 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.

What shops and parks are in Dicky Beach?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Dicky Beach there are 3 supermarkets, 4 cafes and 27 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

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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: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data last verified September 2026.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.