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 $174 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 →Clear Island Waters
Merrimac
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clear Island Waters | Merrimac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,346 | $2,572 | -$226 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $5,200 | $4,800 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,000 | $3,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,074 | $10,900 | +$174 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,920 | $8,520 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 $174 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,995, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Clear Island Waters carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,920 from Clear Island Waters versus $8,520 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 $400 a year, $4,800 against $5,200.
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 | Clear Island Waters cumulative | Merrimac cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,074 | $10,900 | $174 |
| Year 3 | $34,229 | $33,691 | $538 |
| Year 5 | $58,793 | $57,870 | $923 |
| Year 10 | $126,951 | $124,956 | $1,995 |
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?
Merrimac is cheaper to run by car at $10,900 per year versus $11,074 for Clear Island Waters, a difference of $174 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 $126,951 and Merrimac costs $124,956 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,995 in favour of Merrimac. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clear Island Waters 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.
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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.