Currumbin Waters vs Tugun: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Currumbin Waters and Tugun are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 21.2 km and 21.8 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 $98 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 →Currumbin Waters
Tugun
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Currumbin Waters | Tugun | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,444 | $5,542 | -$98 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,200 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $11,772 | $11,870 | -$98 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,520 | $6,520 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Currumbin Waters | Tugun | 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 — Currumbin Waters vs Tugun (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Currumbin Waters and Tugun cost within $98 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,123, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $98 per year. Tugun is 21.8 km from Gold Coast CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,520 and $6,520 a year, so the $98 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Currumbin Waters by $98 a year, $5,444 against $5,542.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,800 a year.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Currumbin Waters against low in Tugun, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Currumbin Waters against medium in Tugun, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Currumbin Waters cumulative | Tugun cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,772 | $11,870 | $98 |
| Year 3 | $36,386 | $36,689 | $303 |
| Year 5 | $62,499 | $63,019 | $520 |
| Year 10 | $134,953 | $136,076 | $1,123 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Currumbin Waters or Tugun cheaper to live in?
Currumbin Waters is cheaper to run by car at $11,772 per year versus $11,870 for Tugun, a difference of $98 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Currumbin Waters and Tugun?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Currumbin Waters (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Tugun (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Currumbin Waters and $2,169 in Tugun. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Currumbin Waters and Tugun?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,444 from Currumbin Waters and $5,542 from Tugun to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Currumbin Waters and $192 from Tugun.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Currumbin Waters and Tugun?
At 3% annual cost growth, Currumbin Waters costs a cumulative $134,953 and Tugun costs $136,076 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,123 in favour of Currumbin Waters. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Currumbin Waters and Tugun 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.