Burleigh Heads vs Varsity Lakes: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Burleigh Heads and Varsity Lakes are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 15.1 km and 12.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Burleigh Heads runs $1,694 a year cheaper than Varsity Lakes, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $19,420.
Over 10 years, Burleigh Heads costs about $19,400 less to run than Varsity Lakes — the same as paying $19,400 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 →Burleigh Heads
Varsity Lakes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burleigh Heads | Varsity Lakes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,139 | $3,633 | +$506 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $5,200 | -$2,200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,200 | $2,800 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $10,667 | $12,361 | -$1,694 |
| 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 | Burleigh Heads | Varsity Lakes | 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 — Burleigh Heads vs Varsity Lakes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Burleigh Heads costs $1,694 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $19,420 in favour of Burleigh Heads.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $2,200 per year. Varsity Lakes carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $2,200 per year, $6,720 from Burleigh Heads versus $8,920 from Varsity Lakes.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Burleigh Heads cumulative | Varsity Lakes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,667 | $12,361 | $1,694 |
| Year 3 | $32,971 | $38,207 | $5,236 |
| Year 5 | $56,633 | $65,626 | $8,993 |
| Year 10 | $122,285 | $141,705 | $19,420 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burleigh Heads or Varsity Lakes cheaper to live in?
Burleigh Heads is cheaper to run by car at $10,667 per year versus $12,361 for Varsity Lakes, a difference of $1,694 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Burleigh Heads and Varsity Lakes?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Burleigh Heads (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Varsity Lakes (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Burleigh Heads and $2,169 in Varsity Lakes. 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 Varsity Lakes?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,139 from Burleigh Heads and $3,633 from Varsity Lakes to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Burleigh Heads and $192 from Varsity Lakes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Burleigh Heads and Varsity Lakes?
At 3% annual cost growth, Burleigh Heads costs a cumulative $122,285 and Varsity Lakes costs $141,705 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $19,420 in favour of Burleigh Heads. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burleigh Heads and Varsity Lakes 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.