Clear Island Waters vs Merrimac, 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 Merrimac are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 7.4 km and 8.2 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 $26 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.
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Merrimac
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clear Island Waters | Merrimac | 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 | $2,572 | -$226 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $2,050 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,000 | $3,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,124 | $8,150 | -$26 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,970 | $5,770 | +$200 |
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 | Merrimac | 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 Merrimac (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Clear Island Waters and Merrimac cost within $26 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $298, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $226 per year. Merrimac is 8.2 km from Gold Coast CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $5,970 from Clear Island Waters versus $5,770 from Merrimac.
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 $226 a year, $2,346 against $2,572.
- Building insurance favours Merrimac by $200 a year, $2,050 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clear Island Waters cumulative | Merrimac cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,124 | $8,150 | $26 |
| Year 3 | $25,110 | $25,191 | $81 |
| Year 5 | $43,131 | $43,269 | $138 |
| Year 10 | $93,133 | $93,431 | $298 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clear Island Waters or Merrimac cheaper to live in?
Clear Island Waters is cheaper to run by car at $8,124 per year versus $8,150 for Merrimac, a difference of $26 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clear Island Waters and Merrimac?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Clear Island Waters (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Merrimac (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Clear Island Waters 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 Clear Island Waters and Merrimac?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,346 from Clear Island Waters and $2,572 from Merrimac to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Clear Island Waters and $192 from Merrimac.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clear Island Waters and Merrimac?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clear Island Waters costs a cumulative $93,133 and Merrimac costs $93,431 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $298 in favour of Clear Island Waters. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clear Island Waters and Merrimac suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.