Hollywell vs Paradise Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hollywell and Paradise Point are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 9 km and 10.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Hollywell runs $658 a year cheaper than Paradise Point, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,544.
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 →Hollywell
Paradise Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hollywell | Paradise Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,699 | $3,157 | -$458 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,000 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,700 | $2,800 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $9,027 | $9,685 | -$658 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,520 | $6,720 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Hollywell | Paradise Point | 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 — Hollywell vs Paradise Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hollywell costs $658 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,544 in favour of Hollywell.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $458 per year. Paradise Point is 10.8 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, $6,520 from Hollywell versus $6,720 from Paradise Point.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hollywell cumulative | Paradise Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,027 | $9,685 | $658 |
| Year 3 | $27,902 | $29,935 | $2,033 |
| Year 5 | $47,926 | $51,419 | $3,493 |
| Year 10 | $103,484 | $111,028 | $7,544 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hollywell or Paradise Point cheaper to live in?
Hollywell is cheaper to run by car at $9,027 per year versus $9,685 for Paradise Point, a difference of $658 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hollywell and Paradise Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Hollywell (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Paradise Point (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Hollywell and $2,169 in Paradise Point. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Hollywell and Paradise Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,699 from Hollywell and $3,157 from Paradise Point to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Hollywell and $192 from Paradise Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hollywell and Paradise Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hollywell costs a cumulative $103,484 and Paradise Point costs $111,028 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,544 in favour of Hollywell. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hollywell and Paradise Point 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.