Burnside vs Ormeau Hills: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Burnside and Ormeau Hills are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 24.8 km and 24.6 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 $274 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 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 →Burnside
Ormeau Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burnside | Ormeau Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,979 | $5,953 | +$26 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $3,200 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $2,000 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,407 | $12,681 | -$274 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,620 | $6,920 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Burnside | Ormeau Hills | 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 — Burnside vs Ormeau Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Burnside and Ormeau Hills cost within $274 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,141, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $6,620 from Burnside versus $6,920 from Ormeau Hills.
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 Ormeau Hills by $26 a year, $5,953 against $5,979.
- Building insurance favours Burnside by $300 a year, $2,900 against $3,200.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Burnside cumulative | Ormeau Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,407 | $12,681 | $274 |
| Year 3 | $38,349 | $39,196 | $847 |
| Year 5 | $65,870 | $67,325 | $1,455 |
| Year 10 | $142,232 | $145,373 | $3,141 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burnside or Ormeau Hills cheaper to live in?
Burnside is cheaper to run by car at $12,407 per year versus $12,681 for Ormeau Hills, a difference of $274 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Burnside and Ormeau Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Burnside (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Ormeau Hills (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Burnside and $2,169 in Ormeau Hills. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Burnside and Ormeau Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,979 from Burnside and $5,953 from Ormeau Hills to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Burnside and $192 from Ormeau Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Burnside and Ormeau Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Burnside costs a cumulative $142,232 and Ormeau Hills costs $145,373 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,141 in favour of Burnside. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burnside and Ormeau Hills 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.