True annual cost of living in Palm Beach, QLD 4221
Living in a house in Palm Beach costs about $11,466 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Palm Beach sits 17.3 kilometres from Gold Coast CBD. Unit costs reach $11,866, with the $2,800 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 17.3km from Gold Coast CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $4,546. The gap widens as commute costs rise.
ATO 91c/km · 17.3km from Gold Coast CBD · 192 days
$4,738
Home insurance
Estimated · flood High · fire Medium
$3,200
Body corporate
Estimated
$2,800
Total annual running cost
$11,466
($956/month)
↑ 7% above City of Gold Coast average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○4.5/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 41% 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 Palm Beach'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 Palm Beach
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Nearest hospital
Currumbin Private Clinic, 3,039 m away, about a 38 minute walk.
Supermarkets
3
Cafes
18
Parks
54
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 Palm Beach to Gold Coast CBD?
Public transport saves Palm Beach residents $4,546 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $4,738 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Palm Beach?
Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach?
Running a unit in Palm Beach costs approximately $11,866 per year by car or $7,320 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 $800. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Palm Beach close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Palm Beach. The running cost on this page assumes driving, which is why the commute component is the largest line for most suburbs in this position.
What is the closest hospital to Palm Beach?
The closest hospital to the centre of Palm Beach is Currumbin Private Clinic, about 3,039 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 Palm Beach?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Palm Beach there are 3 supermarkets, 18 cafes and 54 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.
Your report is opening in a new tab. Check your inbox if it doesn't appear within a minute.
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.