Luscombe vs Ormeau Hills, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Luscombe and Ormeau Hills are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 27.3 km and 24.6 km from Gold Coast CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $181 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,100, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Ormeau Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Luscombe | Ormeau Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,284 | $5,953 | +$331 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $2,200 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,862 | $11,681 | +$181 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,770 | $5,920 | -$150 |
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 | Luscombe | Ormeau Hills | 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, Luscombe vs Ormeau Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Luscombe and Ormeau Hills differ by $181 a year by car, but $150 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $331, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $331 per year. Luscombe is 27.3 km from Gold Coast CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,770 and $5,920 a year, so the $181 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Ormeau Hills by $331 a year, $5,953 against $6,284.
- Building insurance favours Luscombe by $150 a year, $2,050 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Luscombe cumulative | Ormeau Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,862 | $11,681 | $181 |
| Year 3 | $36,664 | $36,105 | $559 |
| Year 5 | $62,977 | $62,016 | $961 |
| Year 10 | $135,985 | $133,910 | $2,075 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Luscombe or Ormeau Hills cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Luscombe runs $11,862 a year by car and Ormeau Hills $11,681, but most of the $181 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $331. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Luscombe and Ormeau Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Luscombe (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Ormeau Hills (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Luscombe and $2,169 in Ormeau Hills. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Luscombe and Ormeau Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,284 from Luscombe and $5,953 from Ormeau Hills to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Luscombe and $192 from Ormeau Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Luscombe and Ormeau Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Luscombe costs a cumulative $135,985 and Ormeau Hills costs $133,910 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,075 in favour of Ormeau Hills. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Luscombe and Ormeau Hills 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.