Currumbin vs Palm Beach: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Currumbin and Palm Beach are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 20.3 km and 17.3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Palm Beach runs $337 a year cheaper than Currumbin, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,864.
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 →Currumbin
Palm Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Currumbin | Palm Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,119 | $4,582 | +$537 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $3,200 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,647 | $11,310 | +$337 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,720 | $6,920 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Currumbin | Palm Beach | 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 — Currumbin vs Palm Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Palm Beach costs $337 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,864 in favour of Palm Beach.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $537 per year. Currumbin is 20.3 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,720 from Currumbin versus $6,920 from Palm Beach.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Currumbin cumulative | Palm Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,647 | $11,310 | $337 |
| Year 3 | $36,000 | $34,958 | $1,042 |
| Year 5 | $61,836 | $60,046 | $1,790 |
| Year 10 | $133,520 | $129,656 | $3,864 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Currumbin or Palm Beach cheaper to live in?
Palm Beach is cheaper to run by car at $11,310 per year versus $11,647 for Currumbin, a difference of $337 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Currumbin and Palm Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Currumbin (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Palm Beach (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Currumbin and $2,169 in Palm Beach. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Currumbin and Palm Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,119 from Currumbin and $4,582 from Palm Beach to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Currumbin and $192 from Palm Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Currumbin and Palm Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Currumbin costs a cumulative $133,520 and Palm Beach costs $129,656 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,864 in favour of Palm Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Currumbin and Palm Beach 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.
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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.