Burleigh Heads vs Burleigh Waters, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Burleigh Heads and Burleigh Waters are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 15.1 km and 13.2 km from Gold Coast CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Burleigh Waters runs $578 a year cheaper than Burleigh Heads, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,626.
Over 10 years, Burleigh Waters costs about $6,600 less to run than Burleigh Heads. That's about $13 a week.
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Burleigh Waters
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burleigh Heads | Burleigh 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 | $4,280 | $3,852 | +$428 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,000 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,200 | $3,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,958 | $9,380 | +$578 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,870 | $5,720 | +$150 |
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 | Burleigh Heads | Burleigh 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, Burleigh Heads vs Burleigh Waters (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Burleigh Waters costs $578 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,626 in favour of Burleigh Waters.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $428 per year. Burleigh Heads is 15.1 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 $5,720 a year, so the $578 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 Burleigh Waters by $428 a year, $3,852 against $4,280.
- Building insurance favours Burleigh Waters by $150 a year, $2,000 against $2,150.
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 Burleigh Heads against medium in Burleigh Waters, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Burleigh Heads cumulative | Burleigh Waters cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,958 | $9,380 | $578 |
| Year 3 | $30,779 | $28,993 | $1,786 |
| Year 5 | $52,868 | $49,800 | $3,068 |
| Year 10 | $114,157 | $107,531 | $6,626 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burleigh Heads or Burleigh Waters cheaper to live in?
Burleigh Waters is cheaper to run by car at $9,380 per year versus $9,958 for Burleigh Heads, a difference of $578 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Burleigh Heads and Burleigh Waters?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Burleigh Heads (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Burleigh Waters (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Burleigh Heads and $2,169 in Burleigh Waters. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Burleigh Heads and Burleigh Waters?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,280 from Burleigh Heads and $3,852 from Burleigh Waters to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Burleigh Heads and $192 from Burleigh Waters.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Burleigh Heads and Burleigh Waters?
At 3% annual cost growth, Burleigh Heads costs a cumulative $114,157 and Burleigh Waters costs $107,531 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,626 in favour of Burleigh Waters. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burleigh Heads and Burleigh 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.