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
If you're a foreigner looking to buy an apartment on the Gold Coast in 2026, you're probably realizing that pricing here is different from what you'd expect in most Australian coastal markets.
The Gold Coast has become Australia's second most expensive property market, with apartment prices driven up by interstate migration, limited supply, and the 2032 Olympics infrastructure boom.
We constantly update this blog post with fresh data and real figures so you always have the most reliable information when planning your purchase.
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.
Insights
- Foreign buyers on the Gold Coast face total closing costs of 14% to 17% of the purchase price, roughly triple what local buyers pay, mainly due to the 8% Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty and FIRB application fees.
- The Gold Coast unit median of A$840,000 in January 2026 has overtaken Sydney's unit median for the first time in history, marking a major shift in Australian property markets.
- Body corporate fees on the Gold Coast range from A$3,000 per year for simple walk-ups to over A$14,000 for high-rise towers with pools and concierge, making them a critical budget item for apartment buyers.
- Foreign buyers are effectively restricted to new or off-the-plan apartments until March 2027 due to the temporary ban on purchasing established dwellings, which concentrates demand and often adds a 10% to 20% price premium.
- Southport, Labrador, and Biggera Waters offer Gold Coast apartments at A$7,500 to A$9,500 per square meter, roughly 30% below beachfront suburb prices, making them the main entry points for budget-conscious buyers.
- A foreign buyer purchasing the median-priced Gold Coast apartment at A$840,000 must budget approximately A$955,000 to A$980,000 all-in, including FIRB fees, stamp duty, AFAD, and legal costs.
- Burleigh Heads and Broadbeach are recording year-over-year apartment price growth of 10% to 15%, driven by lifestyle demand and limited new supply in these popular beachfront suburbs.
- The typical down payment for foreign buyers on the Gold Coast is 30% to 40%, compared to 20% for local buyers, due to stricter lender requirements and narrower financing options.
How much do apartments really cost in the Gold Coast in 2026?
What's the average and median apartment price in the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of January 2026, the median apartment price on the Gold Coast is approximately A$840,000 (around US$540,000 or €495,000), while the average sits closer to A$900,000 (US$580,000 or €530,000) because luxury beachfront stock pulls the average higher.
When you look at price per square meter, Gold Coast apartments average around A$10,000 per square meter (US$6,400/m² or €5,900/m²), which translates to roughly A$930 per square foot (US$595/sq ft or €550/sq ft) for a typical owner-occupier apartment.
The typical price range that covers most standard apartments on the Gold Coast in 2026 spans from A$650,000 to A$1,100,000 (US$420,000 to US$710,000 or €385,000 to €650,000), with location, building age, and bedroom count being the main factors that push prices up or down within this range.
How much is a studio apartment in the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical studio apartment on the Gold Coast costs between A$420,000 and A$520,000 (US$270,000 to US$335,000 or €250,000 to €305,000), though prices vary significantly depending on proximity to the beach.
Entry-level to mid-range studio apartments on the Gold Coast start around A$380,000 (US$245,000 or €225,000) in suburbs like Southport and Labrador, while high-end or luxury studios in beachfront buildings can reach A$600,000 or more (US$385,000 or €355,000).
The typical size for studio apartments on the Gold Coast ranges from 35 to 50 square meters, with most sitting around 40 to 45 square meters including balcony space.
How much is a one-bedroom apartment in the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical one-bedroom apartment on the Gold Coast costs between A$560,000 and A$700,000 (US$360,000 to US$450,000 or €330,000 to €415,000), depending on location and building quality.
Entry-level to mid-range one-bedroom apartments in the Gold Coast start around A$500,000 (US$320,000 or €295,000) in areas like Southport and Labrador, while high-end or luxury one-bedroom apartments in beachfront suburbs like Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads can exceed A$800,000 (US$515,000 or €470,000).
One-bedroom apartments on the Gold Coast typically measure between 50 and 70 square meters, with most falling in the 55 to 65 square meter range including balcony space.
How much is a two-bedroom apartment in the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical two-bedroom apartment on the Gold Coast costs between A$760,000 and A$980,000 (US$490,000 to US$630,000 or €450,000 to €580,000), making this the most common apartment type for both owner-occupiers and investors.
Entry-level to mid-range two-bedroom apartments on the Gold Coast start around A$680,000 (US$435,000 or €400,000) in suburbs like Southport and Biggera Waters, while high-end or luxury two-bedroom apartments in premium locations like Main Beach and Burleigh Heads regularly exceed A$1,200,000 (US$770,000 or €710,000).
By the way, you will find much more detailed price ranges for apartments in our property pack covering the property market in the Gold Coast.
How much is a three-bedroom apartment in the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical three-bedroom apartment on the Gold Coast costs between A$1,050,000 and A$1,450,000 (US$675,000 to US$930,000 or €620,000 to €855,000), with luxury beachfront units often exceeding A$2 million.
Entry-level to mid-range three-bedroom apartments on the Gold Coast start around A$950,000 (US$610,000 or €560,000) in suburbs like Southport and Labrador, while high-end or luxury three-bedroom apartments in prestige locations like Main Beach and Mermaid Beach can reach A$3 million or more (US$1.9 million or €1.8 million).
Three-bedroom apartments on the Gold Coast typically measure between 110 and 160 square meters, with premium units often exceeding 180 square meters of internal living space.
What's the price gap between new and resale apartments in the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of January 2026, new-build and off-the-plan apartments on the Gold Coast typically cost 10% to 20% more than comparable resale apartments, with the premium driven by developer pricing, modern amenities, and concentrated foreign buyer demand.
The estimated average price per square meter for new-build apartments on the Gold Coast is approximately A$11,000 to A$12,500 per square meter (US$7,100 to US$8,000/m² or €6,500 to €7,400/m²), particularly in central and beachfront locations.
Resale apartments on the Gold Coast average closer to A$8,500 to A$10,000 per square meter (US$5,500 to US$6,400/m² or €5,000 to €5,900/m²), offering better value but often with older finishes and potentially higher maintenance costs.
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Can I afford to buy in the Gold Coast in 2026?
What's the typical total budget (all-in) to buy an apartment in the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of January 2026, a foreign buyer purchasing the median-priced Gold Coast apartment at A$840,000 should budget approximately A$955,000 to A$980,000 all-in (US$615,000 to US$630,000 or €565,000 to €580,000), which includes all taxes, fees, and transaction costs.
The cost categories included in this all-in budget beyond the purchase price are: transfer duty (stamp duty) of approximately A$31,000, Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty (AFAD) of A$67,200 (8% of purchase price), FIRB application fee of A$15,100, legal and conveyancing fees of A$2,000 to A$4,000, strata inspection report of A$250 to A$500, and building inspections of A$400 to A$900.
We go deeper and try to understand what costs can be avoided or minimized (and how) in our Gold Coast property pack.
You can also read our dedicated blog article to understand what you can at different budget levels in the Gold Coast.
What down payment is typical to buy in the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of January 2026, the typical down payment for a foreign buyer purchasing an apartment on the Gold Coast is 30% to 40% of the purchase price, which for the median A$840,000 apartment translates to approximately A$252,000 to A$336,000 (US$162,000 to US$216,000 or €149,000 to €198,000).
Most Australian banks require foreign buyers to provide a minimum deposit of 30%, though some lenders may require up to 40% or decline to lend altogether, which is significantly higher than the 20% deposit typically required from local buyers.
To secure favorable mortgage terms on the Gold Coast in 2026, foreign buyers should aim for a 35% to 40% deposit, as this unlocks better interest rates and a wider choice of lenders willing to work with non-resident borrowers.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Australia.
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.
Which neighborhoods are cheapest or priciest in the Gold Coast in 2026?
How much does the price per m² for apartments vary by neighborhood in the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of January 2026, the price per square meter for apartments on the Gold Coast ranges from approximately A$7,500/m² in affordable suburbs to over A$15,000/m² in premium beachfront locations (US$4,800 to US$9,600/m² or €4,400 to €8,850/m²).
The most affordable neighborhoods for apartments on the Gold Coast include Southport, Labrador, Biggera Waters, and Ashmore, where typical prices sit around A$7,500 to A$9,500 per square meter (US$4,800 to US$6,100/m² or €4,400 to €5,600/m²).
The most expensive neighborhoods for apartments on the Gold Coast are Main Beach, Burleigh Heads, Broadbeach, and Mermaid Beach, where prices regularly reach A$12,000 to A$18,000 per square meter (US$7,700 to US$11,600/m² or €7,100 to €10,600/m²) for quality stock.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in the Gold Coast.
What neighborhoods are best for first-time buyers on a budget in the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of January 2026, the top three neighborhoods best suited for first-time buyers on a budget in the Gold Coast are Southport, Labrador, and Biggera Waters, all offering meaningful apartment supply at prices below the beachfront premium.
The typical apartment price range in these budget-friendly Gold Coast neighborhoods is A$550,000 to A$750,000 (US$355,000 to US$480,000 or €325,000 to €445,000), making entry into the market more achievable than in coastal prestige suburbs.
These budget-friendly neighborhoods offer advantages including good public transport access (Southport has light rail), proximity to hospitals and universities (Griffith University and Gold Coast University Hospital), established shopping centers, and access to the Broadwater rather than open ocean beaches.
The main trade-off of buying in these budget-friendly Gold Coast neighborhoods is that you're further from the iconic surf beaches, building stock tends to be older with potentially higher maintenance needs, and capital growth has historically lagged behind beachfront suburbs.
Which neighborhoods have the fastest-rising apartment prices in the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of January 2026, the top three neighborhoods with the fastest-rising apartment prices on the Gold Coast are Burleigh Heads, Broadbeach, and Palm Beach, all benefiting from strong lifestyle demand and limited new supply in prime positions.
The estimated year-over-year price increase for apartments in these fast-appreciating Gold Coast neighborhoods ranges from 10% to 15%, with Burleigh Heads leading due to its combination of beach lifestyle, dining scene, and relative scarcity of apartment stock.
The main drivers behind the rapid price growth in these Gold Coast neighborhoods are walkability to beaches and cafes, strong short-term rental demand, limited land for new development, and increasing appeal to both owner-occupiers and investors seeking lifestyle locations.
You can also read our latest update about property price forecasts in the Gold Coast.
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What extra costs will I pay on top of the apartment price in the Gold Coast in 2026?
What are all the buyer closing costs when you buy an apartment in the Gold Coast?
The estimated total buyer closing cost for a foreign buyer purchasing a typical A$840,000 apartment on the Gold Coast is approximately A$115,000 to A$140,000 (US$74,000 to US$90,000 or €68,000 to €83,000), representing 14% to 17% of the purchase price.
The main categories of closing costs buyers must pay on the Gold Coast include: transfer duty (stamp duty), Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty (AFAD) for foreign buyers, FIRB application fee, legal and conveyancing fees, title searches, strata records inspection, building inspections, loan establishment fees, and settlement costs.
The largest closing cost expense for foreign buyers on the Gold Coast is typically the Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty (AFAD) at 8% of the purchase price, which on an A$840,000 apartment amounts to A$67,200, followed by standard transfer duty of approximately A$31,000.
Some closing costs on the Gold Coast are negotiable or can vary between transactions, including legal fees (shop around for quotes), building inspection costs (optional but recommended), and loan establishment fees (some lenders waive these), though government duties and FIRB fees are fixed.
On average, how much are buyer closing costs as a percentage of the purchase price for an apartment in the Gold Coast?
The estimated typical percentage of the purchase price that foreign buyers should budget for closing costs on the Gold Coast is 14% to 17%, which is substantially higher than the 4% to 6% that local Australian buyers typically pay.
The realistic low-to-high percentage range for closing costs on the Gold Coast covers 14% for simpler transactions with minimal professional fees, up to 17% or more for larger purchases with complex legal work or higher-value FIRB fee tiers.
We actually cover all these costs and strategies to minimize them in our pack about the real estate market in the Gold Coast.
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.
What are the ongoing monthly and yearly costs of an apartment in the Gold Coast in 2026?
What are typical HOA fees in the Gold Coast right now?
Body corporate fees (the Australian equivalent of HOA fees) are standard for all apartment owners on the Gold Coast, with typical annual levies ranging from A$3,500 to A$10,000 (US$2,250 to US$6,400 or €2,070 to €5,900) depending on the building's amenities and age.
The realistic range of body corporate fees on the Gold Coast spans from approximately A$3,000 per year (US$1,930 or €1,770) for basic walk-up buildings with minimal facilities, up to A$14,000 or more per year (US$9,000 or €8,260) for luxury high-rise towers with pools, gyms, concierge services, and multiple lifts.
What utilities should I budget monthly in the Gold Coast right now?
The estimated total monthly utility cost for a typical apartment on the Gold Coast is approximately A$200 to A$320 (US$130 to US$205 or €120 to €190), though this varies significantly with usage and season.
The realistic range of monthly utility costs on the Gold Coast spans from A$160 per month for a small, energy-efficient apartment with minimal air conditioning use, up to A$400 or more for larger apartments with heavy summer cooling requirements.
The specific utilities included in the typical monthly budget on the Gold Coast are electricity (A$120 to A$220 per month), water and sewerage charges (A$60 to A$120 per month), and internet (A$60 to A$90 per month), with gas being uncommon in most apartment buildings.
Electricity tends to be the most expensive utility for apartment owners on the Gold Coast, especially during the humid summer months from November to March when air conditioning usage spikes significantly.
How much is property tax on apartments in the Gold Coast?
The estimated typical annual property tax burden for an apartment on the Gold Coast consists primarily of council rates, which range from approximately A$2,000 to A$4,000 per year (US$1,290 to US$2,570 or €1,180 to €2,360) for a median-priced unit.
Queensland does not have a simple annual property tax like some countries; instead, apartment owners pay council rates based on land value, and investors or foreign owners may also face land tax if their total landholdings exceed certain thresholds.
The realistic range of annual council rates on the Gold Coast varies from approximately A$1,800 for smaller apartments in outer suburbs to A$5,000 or more for premium beachfront units with higher land valuations.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in the Gold Coast.
What's the yearly building maintenance cost in the Gold Coast?
The estimated typical yearly building maintenance cost for apartment owners on the Gold Coast is largely embedded within body corporate levies, though owners should budget an additional A$500 to A$1,500 per year (US$320 to US$965 or €295 to €885) as a buffer for special levies.
The realistic range of maintenance exposure spans from minimal additional costs in well-funded newer buildings to potentially A$5,000 or more per year if the body corporate issues a special levy for major repairs like facade restoration, lift replacement, or concrete remediation.
Expenses typically included in building maintenance costs on the Gold Coast cover cleaning, gardening, lift servicing, pool maintenance, painting cycles, insurance, and contributions to the sinking fund for future capital works.
On the Gold Coast, building maintenance costs are included within body corporate levies rather than charged separately, with the admin fund covering day-to-day expenses and the sinking fund accumulating reserves for long-term repairs.
How much does home insurance cost in the Gold Coast?
The estimated typical annual home insurance cost for apartment contents on the Gold Coast is approximately A$400 to A$700 (US$260 to US$450 or €235 to €415), with building insurance typically covered through body corporate levies.
The realistic range of annual contents insurance costs spans from approximately A$300 for basic coverage with higher excesses, up to A$900 or more for comprehensive coverage with lower excesses and additional features like flood protection.
For apartments on the Gold Coast, building insurance is generally mandatory and arranged by the body corporate as part of the strata scheme, while contents insurance covering your personal belongings and internal improvements is optional but strongly recommended.
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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 |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) | REIQ is the peak body for real estate professionals in Queensland and publishes widely used market statistics. | We used it to anchor the most recent Gold Coast LGA unit median near early 2026. We also used its methodology notes on how medians are calculated from Cotality (CoreLogic) data. |
| Realestate.com.au Surfers Paradise Profile | Major national property portal with structured, auditable data following the Property Data Code of Conduct. | We used it to calibrate bedroom price ladders (1-bed, 2-bed, 3-bed) in a core Gold Coast apartment market. We used those ratios to translate the LGA-wide median into realistic price estimates by bedroom count. |
| Realestate.com.au Southport Profile | Major portal suburb profile providing consistent metrics in the same format across suburbs. | We used it to establish what budget-friendly pricing looks like in a large, apartment-heavy suburb. We used it qualitatively to ground neighborhood examples for first-time buyers. |
| Realestate.com.au Broadbeach Profile | Widely referenced dataset for suburb-level market snapshots, updated frequently. | We used it to illustrate premium-but-not-top-tier beachfront apartment pricing. We used it to cross-check our neighborhood price ranges. |
| Queensland Revenue Office Transfer Duty Rates | Official Queensland government source for stamp duty rates and calculation examples. | We used it to calculate the buyer's base transfer duty on apartment purchases. We also used the published worked example structure to keep calculations transparent. |
| Queensland Revenue Office AFAD Guidelines | Official government page defining when the foreign buyer surcharge applies and at what rate. | We used it to add the extra 8% duty foreign buyers pay on residential transactions in Queensland. We used it to build an all-in budget matching a foreigner's reality. |
| ATO Ban on Foreign Purchases of Established Dwellings | The ATO administers foreign investment compliance and publishes the legislative policy change summary. | We used it to explain why foreign buyers are limited to new or off-the-plan apartments in early 2026. We used it to interpret new vs resale pricing realities for foreigners. |
| ATO Residential Fees for Foreign Investors 2025-26 | Official schedule of FIRB/ATO application fees for foreign residential buyers. | We used it to add the FIRB application fee that foreign buyers must budget for. We used it to make the all-in budget match what you'll actually need to transfer. |
| FIRB Guidance Note 1 - Residential Overview | Official FIRB guidance note describing how Australia treats foreign purchases of residential real estate. | We used it to describe the approval framework and policy intent of increasing housing supply. We used it to explain common pathways like buying new dwellings. |
| Australian Government Energy Made Easy | Federal government price-comparison service run by the Australian Energy Regulator for household energy plans. | We used it as the authoritative reference for benchmarking electricity plan costs in South-East Queensland. We used it to shape a realistic monthly utilities budget range. |
| Queensland Government Body Corporate Owner Contributions | Official Queensland government guidance for body corporate (strata) fees and how they're set. | We used it to explain what HOA/body corporate fees are and why they vary by building. We used it to justify treating strata levies as a core ongoing cost for Gold Coast apartments. |
| Queensland Revenue Office Land Tax Calculator | Official government reference for whether land tax applies and how it's calculated. | We used it to clarify that property tax in Queensland is usually council rates plus sometimes land tax. We used it to warn investors about potential land-tax exposure. |
| City of Gold Coast Budget | Council's official publication channel for rates-and-charges context in the budget year. | We used it as a council-level reference that fees and charges can change around 2025-26. We used it to reinforce that council notices are real line-items in ownership costs. |
| ASIC MoneySmart Home Insurance Guidance | MoneySmart is run by Australia's corporate regulator (ASIC) and designed for consumers. | We used it to show what to compare when selecting insurance coverage. We used it to frame a practical insurance budgeting approach for apartment owners. |
| OpenAgent Gold Coast Suburb Analysis | Property platform providing data-driven suburb analysis and growth forecasts. | We used it to identify fast-growing suburbs and validate price growth rates. We used it to cross-check suburb-level median prices and rental yields. |
| Feasly Body Corporate Queensland Guide | Industry resource providing detailed body corporate cost research for Queensland developments. | We used it to validate body corporate fee ranges specific to Gold Coast buildings. We used it to understand how coastal exposure affects strata costs. |
| LookUpStrata Queensland Body Corporate Guide | Strata industry publication providing practical guidance on body corporate matters. | We used it to understand average body corporate fee levels in South East Queensland. We used it to explain why fees vary so much between different building types. |
| SQM Research | Independent property research house providing market data and forecasts. | We used it to validate Gold Coast dwelling value growth figures. We used it to cross-check vacancy rates and rental market conditions. |
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?