Hollywell vs Runaway Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hollywell and Runaway Bay are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 9 km and 7.1 km from Gold Coast CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Runaway Bay runs $930 a year cheaper than Hollywell, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,661.
Over 10 years, Runaway Bay costs about $10,700 less to run than Hollywell — the same as paying $10,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Runaway Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hollywell | Runaway Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,791 | $2,261 | +$530 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,400 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,700 | $2,600 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $9,119 | $8,189 | +$930 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,520 | $6,120 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Hollywell | Runaway Bay | 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 — Hollywell vs Runaway Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Runaway Bay costs $930 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,661 in favour of Runaway Bay.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $530 per year. Hollywell is 9 km from Gold Coast CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $6,520 from Hollywell versus $6,120 from Runaway Bay.
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 Runaway Bay by $530 a year, $2,261 against $2,791.
- Building insurance favours Runaway Bay by $400 a year, $2,400 against $2,800.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Hollywell against medium in Runaway Bay, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hollywell cumulative | Runaway Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,119 | $8,189 | $930 |
| Year 3 | $28,186 | $25,311 | $2,875 |
| Year 5 | $48,414 | $43,477 | $4,937 |
| Year 10 | $104,539 | $93,878 | $10,661 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hollywell or Runaway Bay cheaper to live in?
Runaway Bay is cheaper to run by car at $8,189 per year versus $9,119 for Hollywell, a difference of $930 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hollywell and Runaway Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Hollywell (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Runaway Bay (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Hollywell and $2,169 in Runaway Bay. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Hollywell and Runaway Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,791 from Hollywell and $2,261 from Runaway Bay to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Hollywell and $192 from Runaway Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hollywell and Runaway Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hollywell costs a cumulative $104,539 and Runaway Bay costs $93,878 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,661 in favour of Runaway Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hollywell and Runaway Bay 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.