Merrimac vs Robina, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Merrimac and Robina are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 8.2 km and 10.5 km from Gold Coast CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Robina runs $535 a year cheaper than Merrimac, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,134.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $6,100, about $12 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Robina
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Merrimac | Robina | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,572 | $3,187 | -$615 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $900 | +$1,150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,000 | $2,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,150 | $7,615 | +$535 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,770 | $4,620 | +$1,150 |
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 | Merrimac | Robina | 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, Merrimac vs Robina (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Merrimac and Robina differ by $535 a year by car, but $1,150 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 $615, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,150 per year. Merrimac carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,150 per year, $5,770 from Merrimac versus $4,620 from Robina.
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 Merrimac by $615 a year, $2,572 against $3,187.
- Building insurance favours Robina by $1,150 a year, $900 against $2,050.
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 high in Merrimac against low in Robina, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Merrimac cumulative | Robina cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,150 | $7,615 | $535 |
| Year 3 | $25,191 | $23,537 | $1,654 |
| Year 5 | $43,269 | $40,429 | $2,840 |
| Year 10 | $93,431 | $87,297 | $6,134 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Merrimac or Robina cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Merrimac runs $8,150 a year by car and Robina $7,615, but most of the $535 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $615. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Merrimac and Robina?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Merrimac (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Robina (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Merrimac and $2,169 in Robina. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Merrimac and Robina?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,572 from Merrimac and $3,187 from Robina to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Merrimac and $192 from Robina.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Merrimac and Robina?
At 3% annual cost growth, Merrimac costs a cumulative $93,431 and Robina costs $87,297 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,134 in favour of Robina. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Merrimac and Robina 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.