Highland Park vs Worongary: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Highland Park and Worongary are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 6.6 km and 8.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Highland Park runs $721 a year cheaper than Worongary, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,266.
Over 10 years, Highland Park costs about $8,300 less to run than Worongary — the same as paying $8,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Worongary
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Highland Park | Worongary | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,046 | $2,567 | -$521 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $3,400 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,774 | $9,495 | -$721 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,920 | $7,120 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Highland Park | Worongary | 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 — Highland Park vs Worongary (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Highland Park costs $721 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,266 in favour of Highland Park.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $521 per year. Worongary is 8.5 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, $6,920 from Highland Park versus $7,120 from Worongary.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Highland Park cumulative | Worongary cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,774 | $9,495 | $721 |
| Year 3 | $27,120 | $29,348 | $2,228 |
| Year 5 | $46,582 | $50,410 | $3,828 |
| Year 10 | $100,584 | $108,850 | $8,266 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Highland Park or Worongary cheaper to live in?
Highland Park is cheaper to run by car at $8,774 per year versus $9,495 for Worongary, a difference of $721 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Highland Park and Worongary?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Highland Park (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Worongary (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Highland Park and $2,169 in Worongary. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Highland Park and Worongary?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,046 from Highland Park and $2,567 from Worongary to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Highland Park and $192 from Worongary.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Highland Park and Worongary?
At 3% annual cost growth, Highland Park costs a cumulative $100,584 and Worongary costs $108,850 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,266 in favour of Highland Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Highland Park and Worongary is best to actually live in?
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.