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15.1 km from Gold Coast CBD
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True annual cost of living in Burleigh Heads, QLD 4220

Living in a house in Burleigh Heads costs about $10,808 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Burleigh Heads sits 15.1 kilometres from Gold Coast CBD. Unit costs reach $11,628, with the $3,200 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 15.1km from Gold Coast CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $4,088. The gap widens as commute costs rise.

Last updated July 2026 · City of Gold Coast rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Running costs sit near the City of Gold Coast average, cheaper than 49% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $4,280, roughly 40% of the annual total.
Bushfire risk is rated high here, which lifts home insurance. Full risk detail is in the free report.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$10,808
Driving · per year
$901/month
Unit annual cost
$11,628
Incl. body corporate
$969/month
House vs unit difference
+$820
Unit costs more per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
City of Gold Coast 2026-27 · minimum rate
$1,359
Water & sewerage
City of Gold Coast Water & Sewerage 2026-27
$2,169
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 15.1km from Gold Coast CBD · 192 days
$4,280
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire High
$3,000
Total annual running cost
$10,808
($901/month)
Near City of Gold Coast average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○ 4.7/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 49% 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 Burleigh Heads'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 Burleigh Heads

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Varsity Lakes, 3,436 m away, about a 43 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Nearest hospital
Varsity Lakes Day Hospital, 3,865 m away, about a 48 minute walk.
Supermarkets
4
Cafes
17
Parks
29
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.

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Frequently asked questions about Burleigh Heads

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Burleigh Heads to Gold Coast CBD?

Public transport saves Burleigh Heads residents $4,088 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $4,280 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in Burleigh Heads?

Burleigh Heads 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 Burleigh Heads?

Running a unit in Burleigh Heads costs approximately $11,628 per year by car or $7,540 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 $620. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Burleigh Heads close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Burleigh Heads is Varsity Lakes, a train stop about 3,436 m away, about a 43 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 Burleigh Heads?

The closest hospital to the centre of Burleigh Heads is Varsity Lakes Day Hospital, about 3,865 m away, about a 48 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 Burleigh Heads?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Burleigh Heads there are 4 supermarkets, 17 cafes and 29 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.