Living in a house in Benowa costs about $9,498 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Benowa sits 3.5 kilometres from Gold Coast CBD. Unit costs come in at $8,678, as lower council rates more than offset the $3,200 body corporate levy. Transport mode has the biggest effect on total cost in a suburb this close to the city.
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○6.2/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 73% of City of Gold Coast suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost
typical 2-person household
House
$2,135/yr
5,126 kWh
Unit
$1,776/yr
3,845 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Benowa's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Getting around Benowa
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
HOTA, Home of the Arts, 3,216 m away, about a 40 minute walk. It is a ferry stop.
Nearest hospital
Pindara Private Hospital, 759 m away, about a 9 minute walk.
Supermarkets
3
Cafes
5
Parks
27
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-08-07. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Benowa to Gold Coast CBD?
Public transport saves Benowa residents $978 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $1,170 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Benowa?
Benowa falls under City of Gold Coast. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,359 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,359 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Benowa?
Running a unit in Benowa costs approximately $8,678 per year by car or $7,700 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,359, water and sewerage $2,169, estimated body corporate levy of $3,200, and contents insurance of $780. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Benowa close to public transport?
The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Benowa is HOTA, Home of the Arts, a ferry stop about 3,216 m away, about a 40 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.
What is the closest hospital to Benowa?
The closest hospital to the centre of Benowa is Pindara Private Hospital, about 759 m away, about a 9 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.
What shops and parks are in Benowa?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Benowa there are 3 supermarkets, 5 cafes and 27 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.
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Data sources: Council rates: City of Gold Coast 2026-27. Water: City of Gold Coast Water & Sewerage 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data updated 2026-07. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.