Burleigh Waters 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 Waters and Varsity Lakes are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 13.2 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.
The two sit within $155 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $1,800, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Burleigh Waters
Varsity Lakes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burleigh Waters | 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 | $3,852 | $3,757 | +$95 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $2,250 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,000 | $2,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,380 | $9,535 | -$155 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,720 | $5,970 | -$250 |
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 Waters | 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 Waters vs Varsity Lakes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Burleigh Waters and Varsity Lakes differ by $155 a year by car, but $250 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $95, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Varsity Lakes carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $5,720 from Burleigh Waters versus $5,970 from Varsity Lakes.
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 $95 a year, $3,757 against $3,852.
- Building insurance favours Burleigh Waters by $250 a year, $2,000 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 Waters, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Burleigh Waters cumulative | Varsity Lakes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,380 | $9,535 | $155 |
| Year 3 | $28,993 | $29,472 | $479 |
| Year 5 | $49,800 | $50,623 | $823 |
| Year 10 | $107,531 | $109,308 | $1,777 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burleigh Waters or Varsity Lakes cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Burleigh Waters runs $9,380 a year by car and Varsity Lakes $9,535, but most of the $155 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $95. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Burleigh Waters and Varsity Lakes?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Burleigh Waters (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Varsity Lakes (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Burleigh Waters 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 Waters and Varsity Lakes?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,852 from Burleigh Waters and $3,757 from Varsity Lakes to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Burleigh Waters and $192 from Varsity Lakes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Burleigh Waters and Varsity Lakes?
At 3% annual cost growth, Burleigh Waters costs a cumulative $107,531 and Varsity Lakes costs $109,308 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,777 in favour of Burleigh Waters. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burleigh Waters and Varsity Lakes suits you better?
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.
Related comparisons
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.