Ashmore vs Molendinar, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ashmore and Molendinar are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 1.6 km and 2.3 km from Gold Coast CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Ashmore runs $433 a year cheaper than Molendinar, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,964.
Over 10 years, Ashmore costs about $5,000 less to run than Molendinar. That's about $10 a week.
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Molendinar
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ashmore | Molendinar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $548 | $781 | -$233 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,900 | $2,100 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $4,200 | $4,800 | -$600 |
| Total (driving) | $5,976 | $6,409 | -$433 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,620 | $5,820 | -$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 | Ashmore | Molendinar | 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, Ashmore vs Molendinar (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ashmore costs $433 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,964 in favour of Ashmore.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $233 per year. Molendinar is 2.3 km from Gold Coast CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $5,620 from Ashmore versus $5,820 from Molendinar.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,359 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,169 a year.
- Driving commute favours Ashmore by $233 a year, $548 against $781.
- Building insurance favours Ashmore by $200 a year, $1,900 against $2,100.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Molendinar against medium in Ashmore, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ashmore cumulative | Molendinar cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,976 | $6,409 | $433 |
| Year 3 | $18,471 | $19,810 | $1,339 |
| Year 5 | $31,727 | $34,026 | $2,299 |
| Year 10 | $68,508 | $73,472 | $4,964 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ashmore or Molendinar cheaper to live in?
Ashmore is cheaper to run by car at $5,976 per year versus $6,409 for Molendinar, a difference of $433 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ashmore and Molendinar?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Ashmore (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Molendinar (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Ashmore and $2,169 in Molendinar. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Ashmore and Molendinar?
Annual driving commute costs are $548 from Ashmore and $781 from Molendinar to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ashmore and $192 from Molendinar.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ashmore and Molendinar?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ashmore costs a cumulative $68,508 and Molendinar costs $73,472 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,964 in favour of Ashmore. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ashmore and Molendinar suits you better?
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Sources: City of Gold Coast and City of Gold Coast 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.