Carrara vs Merrimac: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Carrara and Merrimac are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 5.2 km and 8.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Carrara runs $444 a year cheaper than Merrimac, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,090.
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 →Carrara
Merrimac
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carrara | Merrimac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,643 | $2,487 | -$844 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $5,200 | $4,800 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $3,000 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,371 | $10,815 | -$444 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,920 | $8,520 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Carrara | Merrimac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Carrara vs Merrimac (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carrara costs $444 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,090 in favour of Carrara.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $844 per year. Merrimac is 8.2 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,920 from Carrara versus $8,520 from Merrimac.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carrara cumulative | Merrimac cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,371 | $10,815 | $444 |
| Year 3 | $32,056 | $33,428 | $1,372 |
| Year 5 | $55,061 | $57,418 | $2,357 |
| Year 10 | $118,892 | $123,982 | $5,090 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carrara or Merrimac cheaper to live in?
Carrara is cheaper to run by car at $10,371 per year versus $10,815 for Merrimac, a difference of $444 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carrara and Merrimac?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Carrara (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Merrimac (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Carrara and $2,169 in Merrimac. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Carrara and Merrimac?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,643 from Carrara and $2,487 from Merrimac to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Carrara and $192 from Merrimac.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carrara and Merrimac?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carrara costs a cumulative $118,892 and Merrimac costs $123,982 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,090 in favour of Carrara. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carrara and Merrimac 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.