Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Australia Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of the Gold Coast's property market is included in our pack
Wondering whether now is a good time to buy a property on the Gold Coast as of the first half of 2026? You're not alone.
We get this question a lot, so we track the housing prices in the Gold Coast market closely and update this blog post regularly with fresh data and analysis.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in the Gold Coast.
So, is now a good time?
Rather yes, January 2026 is a reasonable time to buy on the Gold Coast if you're prepared to hold for at least 5 years and focus on quality locations rather than chasing the cheapest entry point.
The strongest signal supporting this view is the extremely tight rental market, with Gold Coast vacancy rates sitting at around 1.3%, which creates a solid floor under property values even if growth slows.
Another strong signal is that new construction is not keeping pace with population growth, meaning the supply shortage that's driven recent price gains will likely persist through 2026 and beyond.
Additional signals include lower for-sale listings compared to last year, continued interstate migration from Sydney and Melbourne, and major infrastructure projects like the Light Rail Stage 3 extension to Burleigh Heads boosting certain corridors.
The best investment strategies right now are to target well-located houses or townhouses in suburbs like Robina, Burleigh Heads, or Southport if you want rental income reliability, or consider units near the new light rail corridor if you're looking for medium-term capital growth with lower entry costs.
This is not financial or investment advice, we don't know your personal situation, and you should absolutely do your own research and speak with local professionals before making any decisions.
Is it smart to buy now in the Gold Coast, or should I wait as of 2026?
Do real estate prices look too high in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, Gold Coast property prices do look stretched compared to their own history, with houses up around 17% and units up around 23% over the past year alone, which is well above what you'd consider sustainable long-term growth.
One clear signal that prices are running hot is that asking prices for houses on the Gold Coast have pushed past $1.9 million on average, and at these levels, gross rental yields have compressed to around 3.6%, which barely covers mortgage costs for leveraged investors.
That said, properties in prime locations like Burleigh Heads and Broadbeach are still attracting strong buyer interest and selling relatively quickly, suggesting that while prices are high, demand from cashed-up buyers and lifestyle migrants continues to absorb stock in the best spots.
You can also read our latest update regarding the housing prices in the Gold Coast.
Does a property price drop look likely in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the likelihood of a meaningful price drop on the Gold Coast is low, because the structural supports (tight rentals, constrained supply, and strong migration) remain firmly in place.
A realistic scenario for Gold Coast property prices over the next 12 months is somewhere between minus 5% on the downside if credit tightens further, and plus 4 to 7% on the upside if rates stay stable and buyer confidence holds up.
The single most important factor that could tip prices lower on the Gold Coast specifically would be a sharp tightening of mortgage lending rules, such as the APRA debt-to-income caps taking effect from February 2026, which would reduce how much buyers can borrow and cool top-end competition.
However, major credit tightening beyond what's already announced looks unlikely in early 2026, especially since the RBA has signaled it's watching inflation closely but not rushing to hike rates further.
Finally, please note that we cover the price trends for next year in our pack about the property market in the Gold Coast.
Could property prices jump again in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the likelihood of another price surge on the Gold Coast is medium, because while the ingredients for strong growth are still there, prices are already elevated and borrowing power is constrained.
If conditions align favorably, Gold Coast property prices could rise by 7 to 11% over the next 12 months, particularly in suburbs benefiting from infrastructure upgrades like Miami, Burleigh Heads, and Coomera.
The single biggest trigger that could push Gold Coast prices to jump again would be a meaningful cut to interest rates, because even a small reduction would significantly boost borrowing capacity and bring sidelined buyers back into the market.
Please also note that we regularly publish and update real estate price forecasts for the Gold Coast here.
Are we in a buyer or a seller market in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the Gold Coast real estate market leans toward sellers, because listings remain low compared to buyer demand, though it's not as extreme as it was in 2022 or 2023.
Months of inventory on the Gold Coast currently sits below 3 months in most desirable suburbs, which typically means sellers have the upper hand in negotiations and well-priced properties attract multiple offers quickly.
However, the share of listings with price reductions has increased slightly compared to a year ago, suggesting that overpriced properties are being punished and sellers who price too aggressively are having to adjust, which gives buyers some negotiating room on stock that's been sitting.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Australia. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Are homes overpriced, or fairly priced in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
Are homes overpriced versus rents or versus incomes in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, Gold Coast homes look overpriced when you compare purchase costs to what you'd earn from renting them out, with gross yields sitting around 3.6% for houses and 4.1% for units, which is tight given current mortgage rates above 6%.
The price-to-rent ratio on the Gold Coast is high by historical standards, meaning you're paying roughly 27 to 28 years' worth of rent to buy a typical house, compared to about 20 years in a balanced market.
The price-to-income multiple on the Gold Coast is also stretched, with median house prices now sitting at more than 10 times the typical household income, which explains why the market is so sensitive to interest rate changes and lending rule adjustments.
Finally please note that you will have all the indicators you need in our property pack covering the real estate market in the Gold Coast.
Are home prices above the long-term average in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, Gold Coast property prices are clearly above their long-term trend, having more than doubled over the past 5 years and grown at rates well above the typical Australian average of 5 to 7% per year.
The recent 12-month price change on the Gold Coast has been exceptional, with houses up around 17% and units up around 23%, which is roughly double or triple the long-run pace and far stronger than pre-pandemic growth rates.
In real (inflation-adjusted) terms, Gold Coast prices are at or near their all-time highs, having surpassed the previous 2007 peak years ago and continuing to climb, which means there's less of a "catch-up" story left to support further rapid gains.
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What local changes could move prices in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
Are big infrastructure projects coming to the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the biggest infrastructure project impacting Gold Coast property values is the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3, a 6.7-kilometre extension from Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads, which is expected to boost property prices along the corridor by improving accessibility and lifestyle appeal.
The Light Rail Stage 3 is currently under construction and scheduled for completion around 2026 to 2027, with federal funding confirmed and works progressing, while the Coomera Connector Stage 1 (a new 16-kilometre road link from Coomera to Nerang) is also underway and progressively opening, which will improve travel times in the northern growth belt.
For the latest updates on the local projects, you can read our property market analysis about the Gold Coast here.
Are zoning or building rules changing in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
The most important zoning-related change being discussed at the Queensland level is the Planning Amendment Regulation 2025, which extends certain rooming accommodation provisions until December 2026 to help unlock more rental supply.
As of early 2026, the net effect of these planning changes on Gold Coast property prices is likely to be mild but positive for supply, because they make it easier to add smaller dwelling types like granny flats and rooming accommodation, which could take some pressure off rents over time without flooding the market.
The areas most affected by these rule changes on the Gold Coast would be established suburbs with larger lots like Southport, Labrador, and parts of Nerang, where property owners could potentially add secondary dwellings to boost rental income.
Are foreign-buyer or mortgage rules changing in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, both foreign-buyer and mortgage rules are tightening on the Gold Coast, which is likely to cool demand at the margin and take some heat out of top-end price competition.
The most significant foreign-buyer rule already in effect is a ban on foreign persons buying established dwellings (running from April 2025 to March 2027), plus Queensland's 8% Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty, which together make it much more expensive and restrictive for overseas investors to buy existing homes.
On the mortgage side, the biggest change is APRA's reported debt-to-income cap taking effect from February 2026, which limits how much banks can lend to highly leveraged borrowers and will particularly affect buyers stretching to purchase expensive Gold Coast houses.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Australia.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Australia versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
Will it be easy to find tenants in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
Is the renter pool growing faster than new supply in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, renter demand on the Gold Coast continues to outpace new rental supply, which is why vacancy rates remain so tight and landlords have strong pricing power.
The clearest signal of renter demand is Gold Coast's population growth, with the city adding around 15,000 new residents per year in recent periods, many of whom are renters at least initially as they settle into the area.
Meanwhile, the pace of new apartment completions on the Gold Coast is actually declining, with projections showing completions dropping from nearly 1,900 in 2025 to under 100 by 2027, which means the supply pipeline is drying up just as demand remains elevated.
Are days-on-market for rentals falling in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, days-on-market for rentals on the Gold Coast is very short, with well-priced properties in good locations typically finding tenants within one to two weeks due to the severe shortage of available rentals.
There's a noticeable gap between the best areas and weaker areas on the Gold Coast, with beachside suburbs like Burleigh Heads, Broadbeach, and Palm Beach seeing rentals snapped up almost immediately, while outer suburbs like Ormeau or Upper Coomera might take a few weeks longer.
The main reason days-on-market stays so low on the Gold Coast is simple undersupply, with vacancy rates around 1.3% meaning there are roughly 7 to 10 renters competing for every available property in desirable locations.
Are vacancies dropping in the best areas of the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, vacancy rates in the best Gold Coast rental areas like Burleigh Heads, Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach, and Palm Beach are already at rock-bottom levels around 1% or below, so there's not much room for them to drop further.
These premium beachside suburbs consistently have vacancy rates 0.2 to 0.4 percentage points lower than the broader Gold Coast average of around 1.3%, meaning landlords in these areas have even more pricing power and tenant choice.
One practical sign that these areas are tightening first is that property managers report receiving 20 to 30 applications per listing in suburbs like Burleigh Heads, compared to 10 to 15 in outer suburbs, which tells you competition is fiercest where lifestyle amenity is highest.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current rent levels in the Gold Coast.
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Am I buying into a tightening market in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
Is for-sale inventory shrinking in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, for-sale inventory on the Gold Coast is down roughly 10 to 15% compared to the same time last year, which means buyers have fewer properties to choose from and competition remains elevated for good stock.
Months of supply on the Gold Coast currently sits around 2 to 3 months in most suburbs, compared to the 5 to 6 months that would indicate a balanced market, so sellers still hold an advantage in negotiations.
The most likely reason inventory is shrinking on the Gold Coast is that existing owners are reluctant to sell because they either locked in low mortgage rates and don't want to give them up, or they're confident prices will keep rising and see no reason to exit.
Are homes selling faster in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the median time-to-sell on the Gold Coast is around 20 to 35 days for well-priced properties, which is relatively fast by historical standards though not quite as rapid as the peak frenzy of 2021 to 2022.
Compared to a year ago, median days-on-market on the Gold Coast has increased by about 5 to 10 days, reflecting that buyers are slightly more cautious due to higher mortgage rates and are taking more time to make decisions on expensive purchases.
Are new listings slowing down in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, new for-sale listings on the Gold Coast are down roughly 10 to 14% compared to the same period last year, continuing a trend of constrained supply that's been evident across regional Queensland.
The typical seasonal pattern on the Gold Coast sees listings pick up in late January through March as the summer holidays end and sellers prepare for the autumn selling season, but so far the current level looks unusually low even accounting for seasonality.
The most plausible reason new listings are slowing on the Gold Coast is rate lock-in, where owners who secured mortgages at 2 to 3% during 2020 to 2021 are reluctant to sell and refinance at today's rates above 6%, combined with a general "wait and see" attitude among potential sellers.
Is new construction failing to keep up in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, new construction on the Gold Coast is clearly not keeping up with demand, with building approvals improving year-on-year but completions still falling well short of what's needed to house the population growth.
Recent trends show building approvals in Queensland lifted compared to last year, but the pipeline from approval to completion typically takes 18 to 24 months, and industry analysts expect apartment completions on the Gold Coast to decline sharply through 2026 and 2027.
The single biggest bottleneck limiting new construction on the Gold Coast is a combination of scarce land (especially in coastal suburbs), high construction costs, and skilled labor shortages that have pushed out build times and made some projects unviable.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Australia compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
Will it be easy to sell later in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
Is resale liquidity strong enough in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, resale liquidity on the Gold Coast is strong, with well-priced properties in desirable suburbs typically selling within 3 to 5 weeks, making it one of the more liquid regional markets in Australia.
The median days-on-market for resale homes on the Gold Coast is around 25 to 35 days, which compares favorably to a "healthy liquidity" benchmark of 30 to 45 days and indicates that motivated sellers can exit relatively quickly.
The property characteristic that most improves resale liquidity on the Gold Coast is location near beaches, transport, or lifestyle amenities, with suburbs like Burleigh Heads, Broadbeach, Robina, and Southport consistently showing the fastest turnover and broadest buyer appeal.
Is selling time getting longer in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, selling time on the Gold Coast has increased modestly compared to the 2021 to 2023 boom period, but it's still relatively fast by historical standards and within normal ranges for a healthy market.
The current median days-on-market on the Gold Coast is around 25 to 35 days, with a realistic range from about 14 days for premium beachside properties to 50 to 60 days for overpriced or less desirable listings.
One clear reason selling time can lengthen on the Gold Coast is affordability pressure, because when buyers are stretched by high prices and elevated mortgage rates, they take longer to commit and are more likely to negotiate hard, which extends the transaction timeline.
Is it realistic to exit with profit in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the likelihood of selling with a profit on the Gold Coast is high if you hold for at least 5 years, because the structural undersupply and lifestyle demand tend to support prices over full market cycles.
The minimum holding period that most often makes exiting with profit realistic on the Gold Coast is around 3 to 5 years, which gives you enough time to absorb transaction costs and ride out any short-term price fluctuations or flat patches.
The estimated total round-trip cost drag on the Gold Coast (buying plus selling) is around 8 to 12% of the property value, which includes roughly 3 to 4% stamp duty on purchase, 2 to 3% agent commission on sale, plus legal fees, marketing, and other costs, meaning you need that much growth just to break even in AUD terms (roughly $80,000 to $120,000 on a $1 million property, or around USD $52,000 to $78,000 and EUR $48,000 to $72,000 at current exchange rates).
One clear factor that most increases profit odds on the Gold Coast is buying in suburbs with infrastructure upgrades coming, like Miami or Burleigh Heads along the new light rail corridor, or Coomera and Helensvale near the Coomera Connector, because these locations tend to see above-average capital growth as connectivity improves.
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What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about the Gold Coast, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can, and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) | It's the central bank that sets the official cash rate, which directly influences mortgage costs across Australia. | We used it to establish the current cost of borrowing as of the first half of 2026. We then connected that to affordability and downside risk for Gold Coast buyers. |
| Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) | It's the banking regulator that sets lending guardrails and can tighten credit when risks build up. | We used it to assess whether lending conditions are getting tighter or looser in 2026. We also used it to gauge crash risk and buyer borrowing capacity. |
| SQM Research | It's a long-running Australian property research firm with transparent listing-based methodology. | We used it to track current asking prices, rents, and vacancy rates for Gold Coast houses and units. We then calculated gross yields and identified market trends. |
| Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) | It's the peak body for real estate in Queensland with regular rental market reporting. | We used it to anchor vacancy rate data and understand how tight the Gold Coast rental market is. We then inferred tenant demand pressure heading into 2026. |
| Cotality (CoreLogic) | It's a major housing data provider with widely cited hedonic index methodology. | We used it to cross-check Gold Coast price levels and growth rates against index-based sources. We then validated the listing-based signals from SQM. |
| Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) | It's the official national statistics agency with authoritative data on lending, building approvals, and population. | We used it to track housing finance commitments, building approvals, and migration trends. We then connected this to supply and demand dynamics on the Gold Coast. |
| Queensland Government Statistician's Office | It's the state statistics office that interprets ABS data with Queensland-specific context. | We used it to ground the Queensland building approvals data behind the Gold Coast supply pipeline. We then assessed whether construction is keeping up with demand. |
| Australian Infrastructure Investment Program | It's the official federal project database with confirmed funding, scope, and timelines. | We used it to identify major infrastructure projects like Light Rail Stage 3 and Coomera Connector. We then mapped likely beneficiary suburbs for each project. |
| Queensland Revenue Office | It's the official source for Queensland stamp duty and property transfer costs. | We used it to confirm stamp duty rates and calculate round-trip transaction costs. We then factored these into realistic profit scenarios for buyers. |
| Australian Taxation Office (ATO) | It's the official tax authority with details on foreign buyer restrictions and property rules. | We used it to confirm the ban on foreign purchases of established dwellings. We then explained how this affects demand in different Gold Coast segments. |
| Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) | It's the official gatekeeper for foreign residential property approvals in Australia. | We used it to cross-check foreign buyer rule details from a second official source. We then identified which property types are most affected by restrictions. |
| REA Group | It's Australia's largest property listings platform with comprehensive market data. | We used it to track listing volumes and days-on-market trends across Queensland. We then applied these patterns to assess buyer and seller market balance. |
| Queensland Government Planning | It's the official source for planning rule changes that affect housing supply. | We used it to identify zoning changes that could unlock more rental supply. We then explained which Gold Coast suburbs might benefit from these provisions. |
| GoldlinQ / GCLR3 Project | It's the delivery project's own overview with detailed corridor and station information. | We used it to add specifics about the Light Rail Stage 3 route and stations. We then translated that into where tenant demand and property values may strengthen. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Australia. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
Related blog posts
- Is now a good time to invest in property in the Gold Coast?