Gilston vs Highland Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gilston and Highland Park are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 9.8 km and 6.6 km from Gold Coast CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Highland Park runs $1,089 a year cheaper than Gilston, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,484.
Over 10 years, Highland Park costs about $12,500 less to run than Gilston — the same as paying $12,500 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Highland Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gilston | Highland Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,005 | $2,116 | +$889 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,400 | $3,200 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,933 | $8,844 | +$1,089 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,120 | $6,920 | +$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Gilston | Highland Park | 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 — Gilston vs Highland Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Highland Park costs $1,089 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,484 in favour of Highland Park.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $889 per year. Gilston is 9.8 km from Gold Coast CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,120 from Gilston versus $6,920 from Highland Park.
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 Highland Park by $889 a year, $2,116 against $3,005.
- Building insurance favours Highland Park by $200 a year, $3,200 against $3,400.
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.
The catchment state school scores 6.7 in Gilston against 5.4 in Highland Park, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gilston cumulative | Highland Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,933 | $8,844 | $1,089 |
| Year 3 | $30,702 | $27,336 | $3,366 |
| Year 5 | $52,736 | $46,954 | $5,782 |
| Year 10 | $113,871 | $101,387 | $12,484 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gilston or Highland Park cheaper to live in?
Highland Park is cheaper to run by car at $8,844 per year versus $9,933 for Gilston, a difference of $1,089 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gilston and Highland Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Gilston (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Highland Park (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Gilston and $2,169 in Highland Park. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Gilston and Highland Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,005 from Gilston and $2,116 from Highland Park to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Gilston and $192 from Highland Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gilston and Highland Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gilston costs a cumulative $113,871 and Highland Park costs $101,387 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,484 in favour of Highland Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gilston and Highland Park 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.