Bilinga vs Tugun: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bilinga and Tugun are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 23.8 km and 21.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tugun runs $491 a year cheaper than Bilinga, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,629.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Bilinga
Tugun
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bilinga | Tugun | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,650 | $5,359 | +$291 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $2,800 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,178 | $11,687 | +$491 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,720 | $6,520 | +$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bilinga | Tugun | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Bilinga vs Tugun (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tugun costs $491 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,629 in favour of Tugun.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $291 per year. Bilinga is 23.8 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,720 from Bilinga versus $6,520 from Tugun.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bilinga cumulative | Tugun cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,178 | $11,687 | $491 |
| Year 3 | $37,641 | $36,123 | $1,518 |
| Year 5 | $64,655 | $62,048 | $2,607 |
| Year 10 | $139,607 | $133,978 | $5,629 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bilinga or Tugun cheaper to live in?
Tugun is cheaper to run by car at $11,687 per year versus $12,178 for Bilinga, a difference of $491 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bilinga and Tugun?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Bilinga (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Tugun (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Bilinga and $2,169 in Tugun. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bilinga and Tugun?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,650 from Bilinga and $5,359 from Tugun to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bilinga and $192 from Tugun.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bilinga and Tugun?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bilinga costs a cumulative $139,607 and Tugun costs $133,978 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,629 in favour of Tugun. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bilinga and Tugun is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.