Broadbeach Waters vs Clear Island Waters, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/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 Gold Coast CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Broadbeach Waters runs $388 a year cheaper than Clear Island Waters, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,448.
Over 10 years, Broadbeach Waters costs about $4,400 less to run than Clear Island Waters. That's about $9 a week.
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Clear Island Waters
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Broadbeach Waters | Clear Island Waters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,058 | $2,346 | -$288 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,250 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $4,500 | $3,000 | +$1,500 |
| Total (driving) | $7,736 | $8,124 | -$388 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,870 | $5,970 | -$100 |
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 | Broadbeach Waters | Clear Island Waters | 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, Broadbeach Waters vs Clear Island Waters (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Broadbeach Waters costs $388 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,448 in favour of Broadbeach Waters.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $288 per year. Clear Island Waters is 7.4 km from Gold Coast CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,870 and $5,970 a year, so the $388 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Broadbeach Waters by $288 a year, $2,058 against $2,346.
- Building insurance favours Broadbeach Waters by $100 a year, $2,150 against $2,250.
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 medium in Clear Island Waters against low in Broadbeach Waters, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Broadbeach Waters cumulative | Clear Island Waters cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,736 | $8,124 | $388 |
| Year 3 | $23,911 | $25,110 | $1,199 |
| Year 5 | $41,071 | $43,131 | $2,060 |
| Year 10 | $88,685 | $93,133 | $4,448 |
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 $7,736 per year versus $8,124 for Clear Island Waters, a difference of $388 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $2,058 from Broadbeach Waters and $2,346 from Clear Island Waters to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/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 $88,685 and Clear Island Waters costs $93,133 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,448 in favour of Broadbeach Waters. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Broadbeach Waters and Clear Island Waters 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.