True annual cost of living in Broadbeach Waters, QLD 4218
Living in a house in Broadbeach Waters costs about $7,736 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Broadbeach Waters sits 6.4 kilometres from Gold Coast CBD. Unit costs reach $10,866, with the $4,500 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. Switching from driving to public transport saves $1,866 per year at this distance.
About $149 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$10,866
Incl. body corporate
$906/month
About $209 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$3,130
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 City of Gold Coast
$1,359
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 City of Gold Coast Water & Sewerage
$2,169
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 6.4km from Gold Coast CBD · 192 days
$2,058
Home insurance
Estimated flood High · fire Low
$2,150
Body corporate
Estimated
$4,500
Total annual running cost
$7,736
($645/month, $149/week)
Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Management Levy on your rates notice, $260 a year here (levy class A, 2026-27).
↓ 20% below City of Gold Coast average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○6.8/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 90% 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 Broadbeach Waters'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 Broadbeach Waters
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Broadbeach North, 1,452 m away, about an 18 minute walk. It is a light rail stop.
Nearest hospital
Pindara Private Hospital, 3,011 m away, about a 38 minute walk.
Supermarkets
6
Cafes
16
Parks
56
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-11-03. 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.
Frequently asked questions about Broadbeach Waters
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Broadbeach Waters to Gold Coast CBD?
Public transport saves Broadbeach Waters residents $1,866 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $2,058 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Broadbeach Waters?
Broadbeach Waters 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 Broadbeach Waters?
Running a unit in Broadbeach Waters costs approximately $10,866 per year by car or $9,000 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,359, water and sewerage $2,169, estimated body corporate levy of $4,500, and contents insurance of $780. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Broadbeach Waters close to public transport?
The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Broadbeach Waters is Broadbeach North, a light rail stop about 1,452 m away, about an 18 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 Broadbeach Waters?
The closest hospital to the centre of Broadbeach Waters is Pindara Private Hospital, about 3,011 m away, about a 38 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 Broadbeach Waters?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Broadbeach Waters there are 6 supermarkets, 16 cafes and 56 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.
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Included:
Annual cost breakdown
10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
Crime risk ratings
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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: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data last verified September 2026. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.