True annual cost of living in Varsity Lakes, QLD 4227
Living in a house in Varsity Lakes costs about $12,485 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Varsity Lakes sits 12.8 kilometres from Gold Coast CBD. Unit costs come in at $10,885, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,800 body corporate levy. Switching from driving to public transport saves $3,565 per year at this distance.
ATO 91c/km · 12.8km from Gold Coast CBD · 192 days
$3,757
Home insurance
Estimated · flood High · fire Medium
$5,200
Body corporate
Estimated
$2,800
Total annual running cost
$12,485
($1,040/month)
↑ 16% above City of Gold Coast average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○3.4/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 22% 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 Varsity Lakes'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 Varsity Lakes
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Varsity Lakes, 1,474 m away, about an 18 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Nearest hospital
Varsity Lakes Day Hospital, 1,555 m away, about a 19 minute walk.
Supermarkets
6
Cafes
13
Parks
93
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 Varsity Lakes to Gold Coast CBD?
Public transport saves Varsity Lakes residents $3,565 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $3,757 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Varsity Lakes?
Varsity Lakes 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 Varsity Lakes?
Running a unit in Varsity Lakes costs approximately $10,885 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 Varsity Lakes close to public transport?
The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Varsity Lakes is Varsity Lakes, a train stop about 1,474 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 Varsity Lakes?
The closest hospital to the centre of Varsity Lakes is Varsity Lakes Day Hospital, about 1,555 m away, about a 19 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 Varsity Lakes?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Varsity Lakes there are 6 supermarkets, 13 cafes and 93 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.