Broadbeach Waters vs Clear Island Waters: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Broadbeach Waters and Clear Island Waters are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 6.4 km and 7.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Broadbeach Waters runs $2,479 a year cheaper than Clear Island Waters, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $28,419.
Over 10 years, Broadbeach Waters costs about $28,400 less to run than Clear Island Waters — the same as paying $28,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Broadbeach Waters
Clear Island Waters
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Broadbeach Waters | Clear Island Waters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,990 | $2,269 | -$279 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $5,200 | -$2,200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $4,500 | $3,000 | +$1,500 |
| Total (driving) | $8,518 | $10,997 | -$2,479 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,720 | $8,920 | -$2,200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Broadbeach Waters | Clear Island Waters | 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 — Broadbeach Waters vs Clear Island Waters (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Broadbeach Waters costs $2,479 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $28,419 in favour of Broadbeach Waters.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $2,200 per year. Clear Island Waters carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $2,200 per year, $6,720 from Broadbeach Waters versus $8,920 from Clear Island Waters.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Broadbeach Waters cumulative | Clear Island Waters cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,518 | $10,997 | $2,479 |
| Year 3 | $26,328 | $33,991 | $7,663 |
| Year 5 | $45,223 | $58,385 | $13,162 |
| Year 10 | $97,649 | $126,068 | $28,419 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Broadbeach Waters or Clear Island Waters cheaper to live in?
Broadbeach Waters is cheaper to run by car at $8,518 per year versus $10,997 for Clear Island Waters, a difference of $2,479 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Broadbeach Waters and Clear Island Waters?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Broadbeach Waters (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Clear Island Waters (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Broadbeach Waters and $2,169 in Clear Island Waters. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Broadbeach Waters and Clear Island Waters?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,990 from Broadbeach Waters and $2,269 from Clear Island Waters to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Broadbeach Waters and $192 from Clear Island Waters.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Broadbeach Waters and Clear Island Waters?
At 3% annual cost growth, Broadbeach Waters costs a cumulative $97,649 and Clear Island Waters costs $126,068 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $28,419 in favour of Broadbeach Waters. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Broadbeach Waters and Clear Island Waters 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.