Clear Island Waters vs Mermaid Waters, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/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 Gold Coast CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $168 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 $1,900, about $4 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 →Clear Island Waters
Mermaid Waters
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clear Island Waters | Mermaid Waters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,346 | $2,764 | -$418 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $2,000 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,000 | $3,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,124 | $8,292 | -$168 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,970 | $5,720 | +$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 | Clear Island Waters | Mermaid Waters | 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, Clear Island Waters vs Mermaid Waters (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Clear Island Waters and Mermaid Waters differ by $168 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 $418, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $418 per year. Mermaid Waters is 8.9 km from Gold Coast CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $5,970 from Clear Island Waters versus $5,720 from Mermaid Waters.
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 Clear Island Waters by $418 a year, $2,346 against $2,764.
- Building insurance favours Mermaid 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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Clear Island Waters against low in Mermaid Waters, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clear Island Waters cumulative | Mermaid Waters cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,124 | $8,292 | $168 |
| Year 3 | $25,110 | $25,630 | $520 |
| Year 5 | $43,131 | $44,023 | $892 |
| Year 10 | $93,133 | $95,058 | $1,925 |
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?
Neither is named cheaper. Clear Island Waters runs $8,124 a year by car and Mermaid Waters $8,292, but most of the $168 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $418. 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 $2,346 from Clear Island Waters and $2,764 from Mermaid Waters to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/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 $93,133 and Mermaid Waters costs $95,058 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,925 in favour of Clear Island Waters. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clear Island Waters and Mermaid Waters 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.