Robina vs Varsity Lakes: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Robina and Varsity Lakes are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 10.5 km and 12.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Robina
Varsity Lakes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Robina | Varsity Lakes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,086 | $2,086 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $887 | $1,081 | -$194 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,100 | $5,200 | -$3,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,371 | $9,665 | -$3,294 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,676 | $8,776 | -$3,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Robina vs Varsity Lakes (2025-26)
What the numbers show
Robina costs $3,294 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $37,762 in favour of Robina.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $3,100 per year. Varsity Lakes carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap shifts to $3,100 per year. Both suburbs pay a flat PT fare, so the difference in total PT cost reflects council rates and insurance rather than commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Robina cumulative | Varsity Lakes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,371 | $9,665 | $3,294 |
| Year 3 | $19,692 | $29,874 | $10,182 |
| Year 5 | $33,825 | $51,313 | $17,488 |
| Year 10 | $73,036 | $110,798 | $37,762 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Robina or Varsity Lakes cheaper to live in?
Robina is cheaper to run by car at $6,371 per year versus $9,665 for Varsity Lakes — a difference of $3,294 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2025-26 data.
What are council rates in Robina and Varsity Lakes?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Robina (City of Gold Coast 2025-26) and $1,298 in Varsity Lakes (City of Gold Coast 2025-26). Water and sewerage adds $2,086 in Robina and $2,086 in Varsity Lakes.
How does the commute cost compare between Robina and Varsity Lakes?
Annual driving commute costs are $887 from Robina and $1,081 from Varsity Lakes to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km, 220 working days). Public transport costs $192 from Robina and $192 from Varsity Lakes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Robina and Varsity Lakes?
At 3% annual cost growth, Robina costs a cumulative $73,036 and Varsity Lakes costs $110,798 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $37,762 in favour of Robina. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Compare Robina and Varsity Lakes in the tool
The SuburbCost comparison tool shows the full annual cost breakdown for both suburbs side by side. Toggle between driving and public transport to see which suburb comes out ahead for your commuting pattern.
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Sources: City of Gold Coast and City of Gold Coast rate schedules 2025-26, Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater 2025-26, ATO 88c/km, SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2025.