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The Gold Coast rental market in September 2025 shows robust demand with exceptionally low vacancy rates of 1.3%. Average weekly rents reach $808 for apartments and $1,290 for houses, while rental yields remain strong at 4.8-5.3% for units and 4-4.8% for houses across the region.
Central areas like Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach command premium rents at $15,830 per square meter for apartments, while outer suburbs offer better value and higher yields. The market continues to benefit from strong migration, infrastructure development, and the Gold Coast's appeal as Australia's premier lifestyle destination.
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The Gold Coast rental market in September 2025 demonstrates exceptional strength with apartments averaging $808 weekly and houses at $1,290 weekly.
Central locations command 50-70% higher rents than outer suburbs, while rental yields favor units at 4.8-5.3% over houses at 4-4.8%.
| Property Type | Average Weekly Rent | Rental Yield Range |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartment | $400-$500 | 5.0-6.5% |
| 2-Bedroom Apartment | $670-$800 | 4.8-5.3% |
| 3-Bedroom Apartment | $950 | 4.5-5.0% |
| Townhouse | $650-$670 | 4.8-5.2% |
| 4-Bedroom House | $850-$900 | 4.0-4.5% |
| Family Home | $825-$1,350 | 4.2-4.8% |
| Premium House | $2,000+ | 3.5-4.2% |
What's the current average rent on the Gold Coast for each major property type?
As of September 2025, the Gold Coast rental market shows distinct pricing tiers across different property types.
Apartments and units command an average weekly rent of $808, with significant variation based on size and location. Studio apartments typically rent for $400-$500 per week, while 2-bedroom units range from $670-$800 weekly. Three-bedroom apartments reach approximately $950 per week in desirable locations.
Houses average $1,290 per week across the Gold Coast, with family homes in suburban areas starting around $825 weekly. Four-bedroom houses in growth suburbs like Coomera rent for $850-$900 per week, while premium properties in coastal areas can exceed $2,000 weekly.
Townhouses fall between apartments and houses, with median rents of $650-$670 per week in central and northern suburbs. These properties offer a middle ground for families seeking more space than apartments but lower costs than standalone houses.
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How do rents differ between central Gold Coast areas versus outer suburbs?
Central Gold Coast areas command significantly higher rents due to proximity to beaches, entertainment, and business districts.
Surfers Paradise apartments rent at approximately $15,830 per square meter, while Broadbeach commands $14,389 per square meter. These premium locations can see weekly rents 50-70% higher than outer suburbs. Premium houses in Surfers Paradise valued at $4 million or more typically rent for well over $2,000 per week.
Outer suburbs like Upper Coomera, Hope Island, and Ormeau offer more affordable options. Apartments in these areas often rent below $10,000 per square meter, while houses range from $4,500-$7,800 per square meter. A typical house in Coomera rents for around $842 per week, substantially lower than central areas.
The rental premium for central locations reflects higher property values, tourist demand, and premium amenities. However, outer suburbs often deliver superior rental yields due to lower property prices and strong demand from families and professionals seeking value.
What's the typical rent per square meter across different property sizes?
Gold Coast rental rates per square meter vary significantly by property type and location as of September 2025.
| Property Type | Rent per mĀ² (Median) | Central Areas (Premium) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartment | $11,299/mĀ² | $14,000-$16,000/mĀ² |
| 2-Bedroom Apartment | $13,283/mĀ² | $15,000-$17,000/mĀ² |
| 3-Bedroom Apartment | $17,641/mĀ² | $18,000-$20,000/mĀ² |
| 4-Bedroom House | $4,508/mĀ² | $6,000-$8,000/mĀ² |
| All Apartments (Average) | $14,561/mĀ² | $15,830/mĀ² (Surfers Paradise) |
| All Houses (Average) | $5,940/mĀ² | $7,000-$9,000/mĀ² |
| Outer Suburbs | Below $10,000/mĀ² | $4,500-$7,800/mĀ² (Houses) |
What is the total cost of renting including all fees and charges?
Renting on the Gold Coast involves several cost components beyond the base weekly rent.
Property management fees typically range from 7-9% of the weekly rent, paid by property owners but sometimes reflected in rental pricing. New tenants pay letting fees equivalent to 1-2 weeks' rent when securing a lease. The standard rental bond equals four weeks' rent, held as security throughout the tenancy.
Utilities including electricity, gas, water, and internet are usually paid separately by tenants, adding $150-$300 weekly depending on property size and usage. Local council rates and taxes are typically covered by property owners, though some costs may be passed to tenants in commercial or short-term rental arrangements.
Short-term rental platforms like Airbnb include additional costs. Guests pay cleaning fees of $50-$150 per stay, plus platform service fees up to 14%. Hosts pay approximately 3% in service fees to the platform, which may influence pricing strategies.
For long-term rentals, expect total monthly costs to be 15-25% higher than the base rent when including utilities, internet, and other essential services.
How do mortgage repayments compare with rental income potential?
Gold Coast property investors face challenging mortgage-to-rent ratios in the current high-interest environment.
A typical $800,000 house with a 6% interest rate over 30 years requires approximately $1,485 in weekly repayments. This significantly exceeds the average house rental income of $1,290 per week, creating a weekly shortfall of around $195. Investors rely on capital growth, tax benefits, and depreciation to offset this negative cashflow.
Rental yields provide context for investment viability. Houses typically yield 4-4.8% annually, while units and townhouses achieve 4.8-5.3%. Higher-yielding suburbs like Coomera and Pimpama offer better prospects for covering mortgage costs with rental income.
Units often provide better cashflow prospects due to lower purchase prices and higher yields. A $600,000 unit generating 5% yield produces $30,000 annual rental income, while mortgage repayments on the same loan amount would be approximately $1,114 weekly or $57,928 annually.
Current market conditions favor investors seeking capital growth over immediate cashflow, with most properties requiring ongoing financial contribution to cover mortgage shortfalls.
What are the returns and risks of short-term versus long-term rentals?
Short-term and long-term rental strategies offer distinct risk-return profiles on the Gold Coast.
Short-term rentals through Airbnb and similar platforms can achieve yields exceeding 8% in premium tourist areas like Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. These properties benefit from high nightly rates during peak seasons and major events. However, they require intensive management, professional cleaning between stays, and face variable occupancy rates throughout the year.
Long-term leases provide stable, predictable income with lower management overhead. Houses typically yield 4-4.8% while units achieve 4.8-6% annually. These rentals maintain consistent occupancy, especially in family-oriented suburbs and areas with strong employment centers.
Short-term rentals face increasing regulatory scrutiny, with potential restrictions on tourist accommodations in residential areas. Operating costs include cleaning fees, platform commissions, higher insurance premiums, and frequent property maintenance due to high turnover.
Long-term rentals offer easier financing options, lower operational complexity, and reduced vacancy risk. The Gold Coast's 1.3% vacancy rate indicates strong demand for traditional rentals, particularly in growth corridors and affordable suburbs.
Can you show me example rental prices for different property types?
| Property Description | Location | Weekly Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartment | Surfers Paradise | $400-$500 |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | Southport | $450-$550 |
| 2-Bedroom Apartment | Broadbeach | $670-$800 |
| 3-Bedroom Apartment | Benowa | $950 |
| 2-Bedroom Townhouse | Nerang | $650-$670 |
| 3-Bedroom House | Southport | $825 |
| 4-Bedroom House | Coomera | $850-$900 |
| Family Home (4+ bedrooms) | Pimpama | $900-$1,100 |
| Premium House | Mermaid Beach | $1,350+ |
| Luxury Beachfront | Main Beach | $2,000+ |
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What types of renters are most common in the Gold Coast market?
The Gold Coast rental market attracts diverse tenant demographics, each with distinct housing preferences.
Families represent the largest rental segment, particularly in suburban estates and growth corridors. These tenants typically seek 3-4 bedroom houses with yards, driving demand in areas like Coomera, Pimpama, and Upper Coomera. Family renters value school catchments, safety, and community amenities.
Young professionals and couples gravitate toward units and apartments in central areas near employment hubs. Southport's business district, Broadbeach's corporate offices, and Surfers Paradise's hospitality sector generate strong demand for 1-2 bedroom properties with modern amenities and transport links.
University students create consistent demand near Griffith University's Gold Coast campus and local hospitals. Areas like Arundel and Southport benefit from student housing needs, typically favoring affordable apartments and shared accommodation options.
Retirees and downsizers increasingly choose the Gold Coast for its lifestyle amenities and climate. This demographic typically seeks low-maintenance apartments or townhouses in coastal areas with access to healthcare and shopping centers.
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What are the current vacancy rates and how do they affect rent levels?
The Gold Coast maintains exceptionally low vacancy rates of approximately 1.3% as of September 2025, indicating severe rental shortage conditions.
Growth corridors including Ormeau, Coomera, and Pimpama show even lower vacancy rates due to strong population growth and limited rental supply. These areas experience immediate rental absorption of new properties and consistent upward pressure on rental prices.
Central locations maintain low vacancies despite higher rental costs, supported by tourism demand, business activity, and lifestyle appeal. Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach particularly benefit from short-term and corporate rental demand that maintains tight vacancy conditions.
The extremely low vacancy environment empowers landlords to implement regular rent increases and maintain selective tenant criteria. Properties typically receive multiple applications within days of listing, creating competitive conditions that drive rental growth.
This supply constraint continues to support rental price growth across all property types, with landlords achieving 4-7% annual rent increases in many areas during 2025.
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What are the current rental yields and which property types perform best?
Gold Coast rental yields in September 2025 favor units and townhouses over houses for investor returns.
Units and townhouses deliver the strongest yields at 4.8-5.3%, with some affordable areas achieving yields up to 6%. These properties benefit from lower purchase prices relative to rental income, making them attractive for cashflow-focused investors. Areas like Labrador, Southport, and certain Surfers Paradise buildings demonstrate consistent high-yield performance.
Houses provide steady but lower yields of 4.2-4.8%, with outer growth suburbs performing best. Coomera, Pimpama, and Ormeau achieve the higher end of house yields due to strong rental demand and relatively affordable purchase prices compared to central areas.
Top-performing areas for rental yields include Coomera, Pimpama, Labrador, and Southport, where strong tenant demand meets more affordable property prices. These suburbs combine family appeal, infrastructure development, and value positioning to generate superior investor returns.
Premium coastal properties in areas like Mermaid Beach and Main Beach typically yield 3.5-4.2% due to high purchase prices, but offer potential for stronger capital growth and premium tenant quality.
How have rents and yields changed over recent years and what are the forecasts?
Gold Coast rental markets have experienced significant growth over recent years with positive long-term projections.
Over the past year, rents have increased 4-7% across most property types, reflecting tight supply conditions and strong demand. Five-year data shows house rents have grown 28.9% cumulatively, while units have achieved 4-5% annual growth. The ten-year perspective reveals even stronger performance, with central Gold Coast house rents averaging 8-11.5% annual growth, though unit performance has been more variable.
Current forecasts suggest continued rental growth of 3-6% annually driven by ongoing population growth, interstate migration, and major infrastructure projects. The Gold Coast's position as Australia's second most expensive housing market after Sydney supports continued rental demand from residents unable to purchase.
Yield forecasts indicate potential moderation if property prices continue outpacing rental growth. However, persistent rental demand from migration, tourism, and lifestyle appeal should maintain yield stability. Outer growth suburbs may see yield compression as property values catch up to rental performance.
Long-term projections favor continued rental market strength supported by the region's population growth trajectory, infrastructure investment, and established appeal as Australia's premier lifestyle destination.
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How does the Gold Coast rental market compare internationally?
The Gold Coast rental market in September 2025 demonstrates strong performance relative to other global lifestyle destinations.
Nationally, the Gold Coast now ranks as Australia's second most expensive housing market after Sydney, with rental rates reflecting this premium positioning. However, rental yields significantly exceed Sydney and Melbourne, offering better returns for investors while maintaining lifestyle appeal comparable to these major cities.
Compared to Brisbane, the Gold Coast commands 15-25% higher rents for equivalent properties but delivers similar or superior yields due to stronger tourism and lifestyle demand. Perth and Adelaide offer lower rents but also reduced capital growth prospects and lifestyle amenities.
Internationally, Gold Coast rental yields exceed most comparable lifestyle destinations including US resort cities, UK coastal areas, and European beach destinations. The combination of 4.8-5.3% yields for units with strong capital growth potential positions the Gold Coast favorably against international alternatives.
Some Asian holiday destinations may offer higher yields, but the Gold Coast provides superior legal frameworks, currency stability, and market transparency. The region's rental market benefits from Australia's robust regulatory environment and established property rights, making it attractive for international investors seeking lifestyle exposure with investment security.
Conclusion
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We do not assume any liability for actions taken based on the information provided.
The Gold Coast rental market in September 2025 presents exceptional opportunities for both investors and tenants, with record-low vacancy rates and strong yield performance across multiple property types.
Central areas command premium rents while outer suburbs offer superior yields, creating diverse investment strategies for different risk profiles and return objectives in Australia's premier lifestyle destination.
Sources
- L M Edge - Gold Coast Suburbs High Rental Yields
- SQM Research - Gold Coast Weekly Rents
- Coast Buyers Agency - Top Suburbs for Rental Yield
- Gold Coast Property Centre - Housing Price per Square Meter
- BambooRoutes - Gold Coast Price Forecasts
- Nortons Real Estate - Gold Coast Property Investment 2025
- Wings Real Estate - Market Analysis
- Bargoti Real Estate - Gold Coast Market Snapshot 2025
- RealEstate.com.au - Gold Coast Property Boom
- RealEstate.com.au - Gold Coast 2025 Outlook