Clear Island Waters vs Mermaid Waters: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Clear Island Waters and Mermaid Waters are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 7.4 km and 8.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mermaid Waters runs $1,996 a year cheaper than Clear Island Waters, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $22,882.
Over 10 years, Mermaid Waters costs about $22,900 less to run than Clear Island Waters — the same as paying $22,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Clear Island Waters
Mermaid Waters
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clear Island Waters | Mermaid Waters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,269 | $2,673 | -$404 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $5,200 | $2,800 | +$2,400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,000 | $3,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,997 | $9,001 | +$1,996 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,920 | $6,520 | +$2,400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Clear Island Waters | Mermaid Waters | 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 — Clear Island Waters vs Mermaid Waters (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mermaid Waters costs $1,996 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $22,882 in favour of Mermaid Waters.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $2,400 per year. Clear Island Waters carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $2,400 per year, $8,920 from Clear Island Waters versus $6,520 from Mermaid Waters.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clear Island Waters cumulative | Mermaid Waters cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,997 | $9,001 | $1,996 |
| Year 3 | $33,991 | $27,821 | $6,170 |
| Year 5 | $58,385 | $47,788 | $10,597 |
| Year 10 | $126,068 | $103,186 | $22,882 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clear Island Waters or Mermaid Waters cheaper to live in?
Mermaid Waters is cheaper to run by car at $9,001 per year versus $10,997 for Clear Island Waters, a difference of $1,996 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clear Island Waters and Mermaid Waters?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Clear Island Waters (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Mermaid Waters (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Clear Island Waters and $2,169 in Mermaid Waters. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Clear Island Waters and Mermaid Waters?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,269 from Clear Island Waters and $2,673 from Mermaid Waters to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Clear Island Waters and $192 from Mermaid Waters.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clear Island Waters and Mermaid Waters?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clear Island Waters costs a cumulative $126,068 and Mermaid Waters costs $103,186 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $22,882 in favour of Mermaid Waters. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clear Island Waters and Mermaid Waters 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.