Currumbin Valley vs Glengarrie, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Currumbin Valley (City of Gold Coast) and Glengarrie (Tweed rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
Currumbin Valley runs $9,813 a year cheaper than Glengarrie, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $112,495.
Over 10 years, Currumbin Valley costs about $112,500 less to run than Glengarrie. That's about $216 a week.
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Glengarrie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Currumbin Valley | Glengarrie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,359 | $1,799 | -$440 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $2,169 | $1,300 | +$869 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,108 | $18,200 | -$12,092 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $18,200 | -$18,008 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,700 | $1,850 | +$1,850 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $1,500 | +$500 |
| Total (driving) | $13,336 | $23,149 | -$9,813 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,420 | $23,149 | -$15,729 |
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: Glengarrie is the average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted), Currumbin Valley is the minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Currumbin Valley | Glengarrie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,774 | -$639 |
| Unit | $1,776 | $2,329 | -$553 |
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, Currumbin Valley vs Glengarrie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Currumbin Valley costs $9,813 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $112,495 in favour of Currumbin Valley.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $12,092 per year. Glengarrie is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD, so its driving figure is a flat regional allowance of about 20,000 km of household driving a year rather than a commute.
On public transport the gap is $15,729 per year, $7,420 from Currumbin Valley versus $23,149 from Glengarrie.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Currumbin Valley by $440 a year, $1,359 against $1,799.
- Water and sewerage favours Glengarrie by $869 a year, $1,300 against $2,169.
- Driving commute favours Currumbin Valley by $12,092 a year, $6,108 against $18,200.
- Building insurance favours Glengarrie by $1,850 a year, $1,850 against $3,700.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For QLD that figure is the minimum residential general rate for an owner-occupied principal place of residence, a floor rather than a typical bill.
Flood risk is rated high in Currumbin Valley against low in Glengarrie, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Currumbin Valley cumulative | Glengarrie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,336 | $23,149 | $9,813 |
| Year 3 | $41,220 | $71,551 | $30,331 |
| Year 5 | $70,803 | $122,901 | $52,098 |
| Year 10 | $152,882 | $265,377 | $112,495 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Currumbin Valley or Glengarrie cheaper to live in?
Currumbin Valley is cheaper to run by car at $13,336 per year versus $23,149 for Glengarrie, a difference of $9,813 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Currumbin Valley and Glengarrie?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Currumbin Valley (City of Gold Coast) and $1,799 in Glengarrie (Tweed rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Currumbin Valley and $1,300 in Glengarrie. Glengarrie's figure is the average residential rate reported to the NSW Office of Local Government (IPART-uplifted); Currumbin Valley's is the minimum residential general rate for Queensland.
How does the commute cost compare between Currumbin Valley and Glengarrie?
Currumbin Valley is $6,108 a year to drive to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Glengarrie carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Public transport costs $192 from Currumbin Valley. No daily public transport commute is assumed from Glengarrie, so it is costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Currumbin Valley and Glengarrie?
At 3% annual cost growth, Currumbin Valley costs a cumulative $152,882 and Glengarrie costs $265,377 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $112,495 in favour of Currumbin Valley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Currumbin Valley and Glengarrie suits you better?
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Sources: City of Gold Coast and Tweed rates (OLG 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.