Labrador vs Southport, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Labrador and Southport are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 3.6 km and 1.6 km from Gold Coast CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Southport runs $454 a year cheaper than Labrador, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,205.
Over 10 years, Southport costs about $5,200 less to run than Labrador. That's about $10 a week.
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Southport
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Labrador | Southport | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,202 | $548 | +$654 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,200 | $5,500 | -$2,300 |
| Total (driving) | $6,730 | $6,276 | +$454 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,720 | $5,920 | -$200 |
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 | Labrador | Southport | 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, Labrador vs Southport (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Southport costs $454 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,205 in favour of Southport.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $654 per year. Labrador is 3.6 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, $5,720 from Labrador versus $5,920 from Southport.
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 Southport by $654 a year, $548 against $1,202.
- Building insurance favours Labrador by $200 a year, $2,000 against $2,200.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Labrador against low in Southport, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Southport against medium in Labrador, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Labrador cumulative | Southport cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,730 | $6,276 | $454 |
| Year 3 | $20,802 | $19,398 | $1,404 |
| Year 5 | $35,730 | $33,320 | $2,410 |
| Year 10 | $77,152 | $71,947 | $5,205 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Labrador or Southport cheaper to live in?
Southport is cheaper to run by car at $6,276 per year versus $6,730 for Labrador, a difference of $454 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Labrador and Southport?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Labrador (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Southport (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Labrador and $2,169 in Southport. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Labrador and Southport?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,202 from Labrador and $548 from Southport to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Labrador and $192 from Southport.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Labrador and Southport?
At 3% annual cost growth, Labrador costs a cumulative $77,152 and Southport costs $71,947 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,205 in favour of Southport. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Labrador and Southport suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.