Clear Island Waters vs Robina: 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 Robina are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 7.4 km and 10.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Robina runs $2,287 a year cheaper than Clear Island Waters, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $26,218.
Over 10 years, Robina costs about $26,200 less to run than Clear Island Waters — the same as paying $26,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Robina
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clear Island Waters | Robina | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,269 | $3,082 | -$813 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $5,200 | $2,100 | +$3,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,000 | $2,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,997 | $8,710 | +$2,287 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,920 | $5,820 | +$3,100 |
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 | Robina | 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 Robina (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Robina costs $2,287 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $26,218 in favour of Robina.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $3,100 per year. Clear Island Waters carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $3,100 per year, $8,920 from Clear Island Waters versus $5,820 from Robina.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clear Island Waters cumulative | Robina cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,997 | $8,710 | $2,287 |
| Year 3 | $33,991 | $26,922 | $7,069 |
| Year 5 | $58,385 | $46,243 | $12,142 |
| Year 10 | $126,068 | $99,850 | $26,218 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clear Island Waters or Robina cheaper to live in?
Robina is cheaper to run by car at $8,710 per year versus $10,997 for Clear Island Waters, a difference of $2,287 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 Robina?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Clear Island Waters (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Robina (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Clear Island Waters and $2,169 in Robina. 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 Robina?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,269 from Clear Island Waters and $3,082 from Robina to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Clear Island Waters and $192 from Robina.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clear Island Waters and Robina?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clear Island Waters costs a cumulative $126,068 and Robina costs $99,850 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $26,218 in favour of Robina. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clear Island Waters and Robina 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.