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.
Burleigh Waters runs $2,305 a year cheaper than Varsity Lakes, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $26,425.
Over 10 years, Burleigh Waters costs about $26,400 less to run than Varsity Lakes — the same as paying $26,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Varsity Lakes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burleigh Waters | Varsity Lakes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,852 | $3,757 | +$95 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $5,200 | -$2,400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,000 | $2,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,180 | $12,485 | -$2,305 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,520 | $8,920 | -$2,400 |
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 | 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 costs $2,305 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $26,425 in favour of Burleigh Waters.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $2,400 per year. Varsity Lakes carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $2,400 per year, $6,520 from Burleigh Waters versus $8,920 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 $2,400 a year, $2,800 against $5,200.
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 | $10,180 | $12,485 | $2,305 |
| Year 3 | $31,465 | $38,590 | $7,125 |
| Year 5 | $54,047 | $66,285 | $12,238 |
| Year 10 | $116,702 | $143,127 | $26,425 |
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?
Burleigh Waters is cheaper to run by car at $10,180 per year versus $12,485 for Varsity Lakes, a difference of $2,305 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 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 $116,702 and Varsity Lakes costs $143,127 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $26,425 in favour of Burleigh Waters. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burleigh Waters 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.
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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.