Burleigh Heads vs Varsity Lakes, 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 Varsity Lakes are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 15.1 km and 12.8 km from Gold Coast CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Varsity Lakes runs $423 a year cheaper than Burleigh Heads, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,849.
Over 10 years, Varsity Lakes costs about $4,800 less to run than Burleigh Heads. That's about $9 a week.
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Varsity Lakes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burleigh Heads | Varsity Lakes | 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 | $3,757 | +$523 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,250 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,200 | $2,800 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $9,958 | $9,535 | +$423 |
| 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 | Burleigh Heads | Varsity Lakes | 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 Varsity Lakes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Varsity Lakes costs $423 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,849 in favour of Varsity Lakes.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $523 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 $5,970 a year, so the $423 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 Varsity Lakes by $523 a year, $3,757 against $4,280.
- Building insurance favours Burleigh Heads 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.
Flood risk is rated high in Varsity Lakes against low in Burleigh Heads, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Burleigh Heads against medium in Varsity Lakes, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Burleigh Heads cumulative | Varsity Lakes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,958 | $9,535 | $423 |
| Year 3 | $30,779 | $29,472 | $1,307 |
| Year 5 | $52,868 | $50,623 | $2,245 |
| Year 10 | $114,157 | $109,308 | $4,849 |
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?
Varsity Lakes is cheaper to run by car at $9,535 per year versus $9,958 for Burleigh Heads, a difference of $423 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 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 $4,280 from Burleigh Heads and $3,757 from Varsity Lakes to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/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 $114,157 and Varsity Lakes costs $109,308 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,849 in favour of Varsity Lakes. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burleigh Heads and Varsity Lakes 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.