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5.2 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Carrara, QLD 4211

Living in a house in Carrara costs about $10,371 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Carrara sits 5.2 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Unit costs come in at $8,751, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,800 body corporate levy. Switching from driving to public transport saves $1,451 per year at this distance.

Last updated July 2026 · City of Gold Coast rates 2026-27, ATO 88c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights
Running costs sit near the City of Gold Coast average, cheaper than 57% of suburbs in the region.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $5,200, roughly 50% of the annual total.
Flood 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 →
House annual cost
$10,371
Driving · per year
$864/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$8,751
Incl. body corporate
$729/month
House vs unit difference
−$1,620
Unit is cheaper 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 88c/km · 5.2km from CBD · 192 days
$1,643
Home insurance
Estimated · flood High · fire Medium
$5,200
Total annual running cost
$10,371
($864/month)
Near City of Gold Coast average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○ 4.9/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 57% 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
$1,976/yr
5,126 kWh
Unit
$1,591/yr
3,845 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Carrara's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Carrara with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Carrara to the CBD?
Public transport saves Carrara residents $1,451 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $1,643 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Carrara?
Carrara 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 Carrara?
Running a unit in Carrara costs approximately $8,751 per year by car or $7,300 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,359, water and sewerage $2,169, estimated body corporate levy of $2,800, and contents insurance of $780. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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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 2025–26 (88c/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.