Gaven vs Parkwood, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gaven and Parkwood are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 5.4 km and 3.1 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 $169 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 the gap between these two is about $1,900, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Gaven
Parkwood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gaven | Parkwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,760 | $1,041 | +$719 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,950 | $2,500 | -$550 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,238 | $7,069 | +$169 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,670 | $6,220 | -$550 |
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: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Gaven | Parkwood | 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, Gaven vs Parkwood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Gaven and Parkwood differ by $169 a year by car, but $550 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $719, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $719 per year. Gaven is 5.4 km from Gold Coast CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $550 per year, $5,670 from Gaven versus $6,220 from Parkwood.
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 Parkwood by $719 a year, $1,041 against $1,760.
- Building insurance favours Gaven by $550 a year, $1,950 against $2,500.
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 | Gaven cumulative | Parkwood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,238 | $7,069 | $169 |
| Year 3 | $22,372 | $21,850 | $522 |
| Year 5 | $38,428 | $37,530 | $898 |
| Year 10 | $82,976 | $81,038 | $1,938 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gaven or Parkwood cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Gaven runs $7,238 a year by car and Parkwood $7,069, but most of the $169 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $719. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gaven and Parkwood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Gaven (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Parkwood (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Gaven and $2,169 in Parkwood. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Gaven and Parkwood?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,760 from Gaven and $1,041 from Parkwood to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Gaven and $192 from Parkwood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gaven and Parkwood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gaven costs a cumulative $82,976 and Parkwood costs $81,038 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,938 in favour of Parkwood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gaven and Parkwood suits you better?
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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.