Every Gold Coast suburb ranked by what it costs to run
All 80 suburbs in Gold Coast, not a top ten. Council rates, water and sewerage, the drive to work and house insurance, totalled for one year at each address.
Across all 80 Gold Coast suburbs the median house costs $9,623 a year to run and the mean is $9,662. The range runs from $5,976 in Ashmore to $13,488 in Woongoolba, a spread of $7,512. Over ten years the median suburb costs $96,230. Every suburb here is covered by City of Gold Coast, so council rates are identical across the whole table and the differences come from everything else.
Key statistics
- Suburbs ranked
- 80
- Median
- $9,623
- Dearest
- $13,488
- Cheapest
- $5,976
- Spread
- $7,512
- Over ten years
- $96,230
What actually separates one suburb from another
Four costs make up each figure. They do not contribute equally, and in Gold Coast one of them does most of the work.
| Component | Median | Range | Varies by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commute | $4,002 | $548 to $6,702 | $6,154 |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $900 to $3,750 | $2,850 |
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 to $1,359 | none |
| Water and sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 to $2,169 | none |
Commute varies by $6,154 across the table, which is 82 per cent of the $7,512 gap between Woongoolba and Ashmore. Council rates and Water and sewerage do not vary at all, because they are set once by the council and applied to every address in it.
11 of the 80 suburbs sit within $500 of the median, so most of Gold Coast is tightly clustered and the $7,512 spread is set by the handful at each end.
The mean sits $39 above the median, which is the usual shape. A short expensive tail pulls it up.
All 80 suburbs, dearest to cheapest
Every suburb, with the four components that make up its total. The fourth column is the gap to the Gold Coast median of $9,623.
| # | Suburb | Total | vs median | Rates | Water | Commute | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woongoolba | $13,488 | $3,865 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $6,360 | $3,600 |
| 2 | Currumbin Valley | $13,336 | $3,713 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $6,108 | $3,700 |
| 3 | Norwell | $12,927 | $3,304 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $5,799 | $3,600 |
| 4 | Jacobs Well | $12,606 | $2,983 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $5,478 | $3,600 |
| 5 | Natural Bridge | $12,358 | $2,735 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $6,680 | $2,150 |
| 6 | Ormeau | $12,336 | $2,713 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $6,108 | $2,700 |
| 7 | Alberton | $12,230 | $2,607 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $6,702 | $2,000 |
| 8 | Stapylton | $12,131 | $2,508 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $6,603 | $2,000 |
| 9 | Yatala | $12,053 | $2,430 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $6,525 | $2,000 |
| 10 | Coolangatta | $11,960 | $2,337 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $6,132 | $2,300 |
| 11 | Steiglitz | $11,944 | $2,321 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $6,216 | $2,200 |
| 12 | Luscombe | $11,862 | $2,239 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $6,284 | $2,050 |
| 13 | Springbrook | $11,786 | $2,163 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $6,108 | $2,150 |
| 14 | Ormeau Hills | $11,681 | $2,058 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $5,953 | $2,200 |
| 15 | Bilinga | $11,521 | $1,898 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $5,843 | $2,150 |
| 16 | Numinbah Valley | $11,521 | $1,898 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $5,843 | $2,150 |
| 17 | Tallebudgera Valley | $11,521 | $1,898 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $5,843 | $2,150 |
| 18 | Burnside | $11,507 | $1,884 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $5,979 | $2,000 |
| 19 | Guanaba | $11,465 | $1,842 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $4,237 | $3,700 |
| 20 | Kingsholme | $11,364 | $1,741 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $5,636 | $2,200 |
| 21 | Tugun | $11,070 | $1,447 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $5,542 | $2,000 |
| 22 | Austinville | $11,057 | $1,434 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $5,429 | $2,100 |
| 23 | Currumbin | $10,972 | $1,349 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $5,294 | $2,150 |
| 24 | Currumbin Waters | $10,972 | $1,349 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $5,444 | $2,000 |
| 25 | Tallebudgera | $10,835 | $1,212 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $5,207 | $2,100 |
| 26 | Pimpama | $10,813 | $1,190 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $5,135 | $2,150 |
| 27 | Elanora | $10,804 | $1,181 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $5,026 | $2,250 |
| 28 | Willow Vale | $10,754 | $1,131 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $5,026 | $2,200 |
| 29 | Palm Beach | $10,566 | $943 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $4,738 | $2,300 |
| 30 | Wongawallan | $10,545 | $922 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $4,817 | $2,200 |
| 31 | Bonogin | $10,429 | $806 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $4,951 | $1,950 |
| 32 | Lower Beechmont | $10,426 | $803 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $4,598 | $2,300 |
| 33 | Neranwood | $10,386 | $763 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $4,658 | $2,200 |
| 34 | South Stradbroke | $10,109 | $486 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $4,431 | $2,150 |
| 35 | Burleigh Heads | $9,958 | $335 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $4,280 | $2,150 |
| 36 | Coomera | $9,886 | $263 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $4,258 | $2,100 |
| 37 | Advancetown | $9,786 | $163 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $4,258 | $2,000 |
| 38 | Reedy Creek | $9,780 | $157 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $4,302 | $1,950 |
| 39 | Upper Coomera | $9,721 | $98 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $4,193 | $2,000 |
| 40 | Coombabah | $9,624 | $1 above | $1,359 | $2,169 | $2,346 | $3,750 |
| 41 | Mudgeeraba | $9,622 | $1 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $3,944 | $2,150 |
| 42 | Clagiraba | $9,587 | $36 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $4,059 | $2,000 |
| 43 | Varsity Lakes | $9,535 | $88 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $3,757 | $2,250 |
| 44 | Burleigh Waters | $9,380 | $243 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $3,852 | $2,000 |
| 45 | Hope Island | $9,115 | $508 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $3,637 | $1,950 |
| 46 | Miami | $9,094 | $529 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $3,416 | $2,150 |
| 47 | Mount Nathan | $9,094 | $529 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $3,416 | $2,150 |
| 48 | Maudsland | $9,044 | $579 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $3,416 | $2,100 |
| 49 | Oxenford | $9,044 | $579 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $3,366 | $2,150 |
| 50 | Paradise Point | $8,943 | $680 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $3,265 | $2,150 |
| 51 | Tallai | $8,919 | $704 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $3,391 | $2,000 |
| 52 | Gilston | $8,833 | $790 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $3,005 | $2,300 |
| 53 | Mermaid Beach | $8,753 | $870 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $2,925 | $2,300 |
| 54 | Carrara | $8,727 | $896 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $1,699 | $3,500 |
| 55 | Worongary | $8,483 | $1,140 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $2,655 | $2,300 |
| 56 | Hollywell | $8,319 | $1,304 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $2,791 | $2,000 |
| 57 | Mermaid Waters | $8,292 | $1,331 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $2,764 | $2,000 |
| 58 | Helensvale | $8,280 | $1,343 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $2,952 | $1,800 |
| 59 | Merrimac | $8,150 | $1,473 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $2,572 | $2,050 |
| 60 | Pacific Pines | $8,144 | $1,479 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $2,516 | $2,100 |
| 61 | Clear Island Waters | $8,124 | $1,499 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $2,346 | $2,250 |
| 62 | Broadbeach | $7,996 | $1,627 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $2,318 | $2,150 |
| 63 | Nerang | $7,889 | $1,734 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $2,261 | $2,100 |
| 64 | Benowa | $7,848 | $1,775 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $1,170 | $3,150 |
| 65 | Highland Park | $7,794 | $1,829 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $2,116 | $2,150 |
| 66 | Broadbeach Waters | $7,736 | $1,887 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $2,058 | $2,150 |
| 67 | Robina | $7,615 | $2,008 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $3,187 | $900 |
| 68 | Arundel | $7,574 | $2,049 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $1,546 | $2,500 |
| 69 | Cypress Gardens | $7,572 | $2,051 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $2,544 | $1,500 |
| 70 | Runaway Bay | $7,489 | $2,134 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $2,261 | $1,700 |
| 71 | Biggera Waters | $7,377 | $2,246 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $1,699 | $2,150 |
| 72 | Main Beach | $7,243 | $2,380 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $1,515 | $2,200 |
| 73 | Gaven | $7,238 | $2,385 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $1,760 | $1,950 |
| 74 | Surfers Paradise | $7,205 | $2,418 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $1,577 | $2,100 |
| 75 | Parkwood | $7,069 | $2,554 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $1,041 | $2,500 |
| 76 | Labrador | $6,730 | $2,893 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $1,202 | $2,000 |
| 77 | Molendinar | $6,409 | $3,214 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $781 | $2,100 |
| 78 | Bundall | $6,331 | $3,292 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $1,453 | $1,350 |
| 79 | Southport | $6,276 | $3,347 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $548 | $2,200 |
| 80 | Ashmore | $5,976 | $3,647 below | $1,359 | $2,169 | $548 | $1,900 |
How this differs from the other Gold Coast ranking
SuburbCost already publishes the most expensive Gold Coast suburbs to run, which shows the top 25 and a tail of ten. That is 35 suburbs of 80, so 45 of them appear nowhere on it.
This page is the complete table. It makes no claim about which suburbs are the most expensive or the cheapest to live in, because that is the other page's job and it does it with more context than a row in a long table can carry. If you want the extremes explained, read that one. If you want to find your own suburb, this is the one with every suburb on it.
Methodology
What is counted. Council rates for 2026-27, water and sewerage for 2026-27, the modelled drive to work, and home insurance for a house. Four recurring costs that come with an address.
What is not counted. Mortgage or rent, electricity, groceries, and anything else that varies by household rather than by address. Two families in the same house would see the same figure here and very different total bills.
Commute. Distance to the Gold Coast CBD at the ATO 2026-27 rate of 91c per kilometre, with trip frequency tapering by distance. Gold Coast suburbs measure to the Gold Coast CBD rather than to Brisbane, because that is the city their route runs to.
Straight line, not road distance. Distances are measured straight line, which understates real road distance. No road routes have been generated to Gold Coast, so the size of that understatement is unmeasured here and no correction factor is quoted. A reader who names their actual workplace in the free report gets it routed by road instead.
Excluded from the ranking. Any suburb carrying a neighbouring council's rate or a neighbouring utility's water figure. All 80 Gold Coast suburbs hold their own figures for all four components, so none is excluded here.
One council. Every suburb in this table is covered by City of Gold Coast and pays the same council rate, so rates cannot explain any difference between two suburbs on this page. They can between councils, which is what the Queensland council rates comparison is for.
SuburbCost does not publish property prices, medians, valuations as market values or capital growth.
Frequently asked questions
What does a house cost to run in Gold Coast
The median across all 80 Gold Coast suburbs is $9,623 a year, counting council rates, water and sewerage, the drive to work and house insurance. The range runs from $5,976 in Ashmore to $13,488 in Woongoolba. This is what a house costs to run, not what it costs to buy.
Which Gold Coast suburb costs the most to run
Woongoolba, at $13,488 a year. Currumbin Valley follows at $13,336 and Norwell at $12,927. The full ranking of all 80 suburbs is on this page; for the top end on its own see the most expensive Gold Coast suburbs to run.
Which Gold Coast suburb costs the least to run
Ashmore, at $5,976 a year, which is $7,512 below Woongoolba. A low figure here reflects a short commute and the ordinary spread in water and insurance, not a cheaper council: every suburb in Gold Coast is covered by City of Gold Coast and pays the same rate.
What makes one suburb cost more than another
Commute does most of it. Across these 80 suburbs it varies by $6,154, which is 82 per cent of the $7,512 gap between the dearest and cheapest suburb. Council rates and Water and sewerage do not vary at all, because they are set at the council level.
Is this property prices
No. SuburbCost never publishes property prices, medians, valuations as market values or capital growth. Every figure here is a recurring annual cost of living at an address, which is what you pay every year rather than once.
Get the detail for one suburb
This table gives four numbers per suburb. The free report takes one address, routes your actual commute by road rather than straight line, and adds the estimated electricity this ranking leaves out.
Get the free suburb running cost report →Or see the City of Gold Coast rating detail behind the rates column.
Cite this data
SuburbCost data is free to cite with attribution. Please link to this page as the source.
Every figure used here is available to reuse. You can take the underlying data as a CSV under CC BY 4.0 rather than retyping it.
Related rankings
- the most expensive Gold Coast suburbs to run, the same data with the extremes explained.
- What each Queensland council charges per dollar of land, why rates differ between councils rather than within one.
- The most expensive Brisbane suburbs to run, the same measure across Greater Brisbane.
- Every council we hold, with the rating detail behind each figure.