Burleigh Heads vs Palm Beach, 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 Palm Beach are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 15.1 km and 17.3 km from Gold Coast CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Burleigh Heads runs $608 a year cheaper than Palm Beach, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,970.
Over 10 years, Burleigh Heads costs about $7,000 less to run than Palm Beach. That's about $13 a week.
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Palm Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burleigh Heads | Palm Beach | 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 | $4,738 | -$458 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,300 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,200 | $2,800 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $9,958 | $10,566 | -$608 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,870 | $6,020 | -$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 | Palm Beach | 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 Palm Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Burleigh Heads costs $608 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,970 in favour of Burleigh Heads.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $458 per year. Palm Beach is 17.3 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 $6,020 a year, so the $608 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 Heads by $458 a year, $4,280 against $4,738.
- Building insurance favours Burleigh Heads by $150 a year, $2,150 against $2,300.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Palm Beach against low in Burleigh Heads, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Burleigh Heads against medium in Palm Beach, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Burleigh Heads cumulative | Palm Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,958 | $10,566 | $608 |
| Year 3 | $30,779 | $32,658 | $1,879 |
| Year 5 | $52,868 | $56,096 | $3,228 |
| Year 10 | $114,157 | $121,127 | $6,970 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burleigh Heads or Palm Beach cheaper to live in?
Burleigh Heads is cheaper to run by car at $9,958 per year versus $10,566 for Palm Beach, a difference of $608 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 Palm Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Burleigh Heads (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Palm Beach (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Burleigh Heads and $2,169 in Palm Beach. 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 Palm Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,280 from Burleigh Heads and $4,738 from Palm Beach to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Burleigh Heads and $192 from Palm Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Burleigh Heads and Palm Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Burleigh Heads costs a cumulative $114,157 and Palm Beach costs $121,127 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,970 in favour of Burleigh Heads. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burleigh Heads and Palm Beach 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.