Cost of Living in Surfers Paradise - Updated Prices & Insights

72.47
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $985 (excluding rent), and $1,945 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,518 (excluding rent), and $4,482 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.01 A$24.52
$10.89 A$16.68
$25.6 A$39.22
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$95.5 A$146
$49.37 A$75.6
$132 A$202
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.98 A$15.29
$9.98 A$15.29
$10.65 A$16.31
Cappuccino
$3.68 A$5.64
$1.32 A$2.03
$5.3 A$8.12
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59 A$3.96
$1.59 A$2.44
$3.17 A$4.86
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21 A$3.38
$1.31 A$2.01
$2.95 A$4.52
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.55 A$10.04
$3.93 A$6.02
$9.18 A$14.07
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.59 A$11.63
$5.06 A$7.75
$8.22 A$12.6
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.53 A$2.35
$0.98 A$1.5
$2.53 A$3.87
White Bread (500g)
$2.19 A$3.35
$1.2 A$1.85
$3.48 A$5.33
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.33 A$3.58
$1.19 A$1.83
$3.98 A$6.09
Eggs
$4.48 A$6.86
$2.77 A$4.24
$5.27 A$8.08
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.12 A$12.43
$5.79 A$8.87
$15.45 A$23.67
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.42 A$12.9
$5.91 A$9.05
$10.51 A$16.1
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.56 A$20.77
$5.22 A$8
$18.28 A$28.01
Apples (1kg)
$3.69 A$5.65
$2 A$3.07
$5.35 A$8.19
Banana (1kg)
$2.81 A$4.31
$1.98 A$3.03
$4.64 A$7.11
Oranges (1kg)
$3.51 A$5.37
$1.42 A$2.17
$6.51 A$9.97
Tomato (1kg)
$4 A$6.12
$2 A$3.06
$5.99 A$9.18
Potato (1kg)
$2.46 A$3.78
$1.31 A$2.01
$3.28 A$5.03
Onion (1kg)
$2.29 A$3.51
$1.27 A$1.94
$3.17 A$4.85
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.21 A$3.38
$0.99 A$1.51
$3.08 A$4.72
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.25 A$1.91
$0.51 A$0.78
$3.19 A$4.89
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$31.89 A$48.85
$26.03 A$39.87
$39.04 A$59.8
Wine (Bottle)
$12.92 A$19.8
$6.46 A$9.89
$20.67 A$31.67
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$6.4 A$9.8
$2.67 A$4.08
$8 A$12.25
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.12 A$6.32
$1.94 A$2.97
$7.75 A$11.87
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.13 A$3.26
$0.33 A$0.51
$3.93 A$6.02
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$33.05 A$50.6
$23.13 A$35.44
$56.2 A$86.1
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.03 A$3.11
$2.03 A$3.11
$4.26 A$6.52
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.46 A$2.24
$1.46 A$2.24
$1.91 A$2.93
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$33.66 A$51.6
$32.62 A$49.97
$38.35 A$58.8
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 A$1.77
$1.05 A$1.6
$1.35 A$2.07
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.9K A$44.2K
$28.9K A$44.2K
$29.2K A$44.8K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.3K A$34.2K
$20.8K A$31.9K
$26K A$39.9K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$209 A$320
$80.6 A$124
$274 A$420
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$31.23 A$47.84
$13.15 A$20.15
$52.6 A$80.6
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$54.2 A$83.1
$39.43 A$60.4
$71.6 A$110
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.2 A$95.3
$19.47 A$29.84
$62.2 A$95.3
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.77 A$21.1
$7.88 A$12.07
$13.77 A$21.1
Cinema Ticket
$12.79 A$19.6
$10.24 A$15.68
$15.99 A$24.49
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,644 A$2,518
$661 A$1,012
$2,529 A$3,874
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,709 A$13.3K
$3,745 A$5,738
$12.9K A$19.7K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$72.8 A$111
$46.31 A$70.9
$99.2 A$152
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.15 A$72.2
$19.17 A$29.36
$63.9 A$97.9
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$92.8 A$142
$64.9 A$99.4
$130 A$199
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$100 A$153
$51.8 A$79.3
$162 A$248
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,295 A$1,984
$1,036 A$1,587
$1,425 A$2,183
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$737 A$1,129
$363 A$556
$1,056 A$1,617
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,492 A$3,817
$924 A$1,416
$3,960 A$6,067
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,724 A$2,641
$766 A$1,174
$2,553 A$3,912
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,602 A$10.1K
$5,296 A$8,113
$8,766 A$13.4K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,423 A$6,776
$3,000 A$4,596
$5,999 A$9,191
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,084 A$4,724
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.3
4.5
7
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Surfers Paradise - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Surfers Paradise for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to find it good value?
Surfers Paradise sits on the Gold Coast with sun, surf, and a lively social scene that attracts travelers and remote workers. For short stays and flexible schedules, it can feel reasonably good value, but long-term rents near the beach are noticeably higher than inland suburbs. A practical approach is to base yourself in adjacent neighborhoods and use the tram or rideshares to access the coast. Co-working spaces are plentiful, and cafe culture supports work meetings without breaking the bank. Seasonal tourism can shift prices, so plan shoulder-season stays for better value. Cost of Living in Surfers Paradise, Australia. Tip: Prioritize housing a few tram stops from the beach and budget for mixed meals to stretch your budget.
What should you expect for daily life in Surfers Paradise when it comes to housing search, food, transport, and getting errands done?
Daily life centers on easy access to the beach, parks, and a dense dining scene. Housing search benefits from starting in adjacent neighborhoods like Southport or Broadbeach where rents and leases tend to be more flexible, with options ranging from studio setups to shared flats. Food options span from fresh markets to casual eateries; cooking at home is common and can trim costs. Public transport is reliable via tram links and bus routes, making non-beach workdays practical. Co-working hubs are plentiful and community networks help you land short-term gigs or projects. Surfers Paradise, Australia living cost is adjustable with location and season. Tip: Map your routes and set a monthly cap on nonessential spending.
What quality of life considerations should guide budgeting and neighborhood choice, including seasonality and saving strategies?
Quality of life hinges on your pace, routines, and the neighborhood you call home. A practical budgeting framework blends flexible housing, predictable transport, and social life: allocate housing first, then groceries, cafe work, and occasional outings. To choose a neighborhood, weigh access to the beach, quieter residential streets, and proximity to coworking spaces. In peak seasons, prices and crowds rise, so consider shoulder months for longer stays. Utilities and internet are important fixed costs; look for included bills or energy-efficient setups. Build a short visit plan to test commute times and noise levels. Tip: Create a 3-tier plan – base, alternative, and dream locations – and compare them over a week-long stay.
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