Burleigh Waters vs Reedy Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Burleigh Waters and Reedy Creek are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 13.2 km and 15.2 km from Gold Coast CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Burleigh Waters runs $550 a year cheaper than Reedy Creek, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,305.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Burleigh Waters
Reedy Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burleigh Waters | Reedy Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,852 | $4,302 | -$450 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,900 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,000 | $2,600 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $10,180 | $10,730 | -$550 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,520 | $6,620 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Burleigh Waters | Reedy Creek | 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 Waters vs Reedy Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Burleigh Waters costs $550 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,305 in favour of Burleigh Waters.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $450 per year. Reedy Creek is 15.2 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, $6,520 and $6,620 a year, so the $550 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 $450 a year, $3,852 against $4,302.
- Building insurance favours Burleigh Waters by $100 a year, $2,800 against $2,900.
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 Reedy Creek against medium in Burleigh Waters, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Burleigh Waters cumulative | Reedy Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,180 | $10,730 | $550 |
| Year 3 | $31,465 | $33,165 | $1,700 |
| Year 5 | $54,047 | $56,967 | $2,920 |
| Year 10 | $116,702 | $123,007 | $6,305 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burleigh Waters or Reedy Creek cheaper to live in?
Burleigh Waters is cheaper to run by car at $10,180 per year versus $10,730 for Reedy Creek, a difference of $550 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Burleigh Waters and Reedy Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Burleigh Waters (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Reedy Creek (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Burleigh Waters and $2,169 in Reedy Creek. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Burleigh Waters and Reedy Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,852 from Burleigh Waters and $4,302 from Reedy Creek to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Burleigh Waters and $192 from Reedy Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Burleigh Waters and Reedy Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Burleigh Waters costs a cumulative $116,702 and Reedy Creek costs $123,007 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,305 in favour of Burleigh Waters. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burleigh Waters and Reedy Creek 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.