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
The Gold Coast property market continues to attract buyers from across Australia and overseas, with prices reaching new highs in early 2026.
This article covers current housing prices in the Gold Coast and we constantly update it with the latest data and trends.
We also share forecasts for 2026 and beyond, so you can make informed decisions about buying or investing.
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
- The Gold Coast median house price has reached roughly A$1.35 million in January 2026, which means the city is now among Australia's most expensive markets outside Sydney and Melbourne.
- Units and apartments in the Gold Coast are growing faster than houses right now, with 9% to 14% annual gains compared to 7% to 10% for detached homes, as buyers seek more affordable entry points.
- The Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 extension to Burleigh Heads, expected mid-2026, is already lifting property demand along the southern coastal corridor from Broadbeach to Palm Beach.
- Rental vacancy on the Gold Coast remains extremely tight at under 1%, which keeps investor demand strong and supports both prices and rental yields.
- Northern suburbs like Coomera, Pimpama, and Helensvale are outperforming many coastal areas on percentage growth because they offer family homes at lower price points with improving infrastructure.
- The price per square meter in the Gold Coast now sits around A$5,500 to A$6,500, with units often costing more per square meter than houses due to premium coastal locations.
- Forecasters expect Gold Coast property prices to rise another 5% to 9% through 2026, which would be a moderation from the stronger gains seen in 2024 and 2025.
- Over the next five years, cumulative price growth of 25% to 40% is considered realistic for the Gold Coast, supported by population growth and infrastructure delivery.
What are the current property price trends in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
What is the average house price in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the median house price in the Gold Coast sits at approximately A$1.35 million (around US$840,000 or €770,000), making it one of Australia's most expensive regional markets.
When you look at price per square meter, properties in the Gold Coast typically range from A$5,500 to A$6,500 per square meter (roughly US$3,400 to US$4,000 or €3,100 to €3,700), with units often commanding slightly higher rates than houses because they tend to occupy prime coastal locations.
For most buyers in the Gold Coast, the realistic price range that covers about 80% of purchases spans from around A$650,000 for entry-level units to A$2 million for quality family homes (approximately US$400,000 to US$1.24 million or €370,000 to €1.14 million), though prestige beachfront properties can push well beyond this range.
How much have property prices increased in the Gold Coast over the past 12 months?
Property prices across the Gold Coast have increased by roughly 8% to 11% over the past 12 months, continuing a multi-year growth trend that has made the city one of Australia's strongest performing markets.
Looking at different property types, houses in the Gold Coast have risen by approximately 7% to 10%, while units and townhouses have actually grown faster at 9% to 14%, reflecting a shift in buyer demand toward more affordable options.
The single biggest factor driving this price growth in the Gold Coast has been the persistent mismatch between housing supply and demand, with rental vacancy rates staying extremely low and new construction unable to keep pace with population inflows.
Which neighborhoods have the fastest rising property prices in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the three neighborhoods with the fastest rising property prices in the Gold Coast are Coomera in the northern growth corridor, Burleigh Heads along the southern coastal strip, and Southport near the city's main activity center.
These top-performing Gold Coast suburbs are experiencing annual price growth of approximately 10% to 15%, with Coomera and Burleigh Heads at the higher end due to infrastructure delivery and lifestyle appeal respectively, while Southport benefits from its central location and improving amenities.
The main demand driver behind these neighborhoods is a combination of new transport infrastructure and relative affordability compared to ultra-premium beachfront areas, which attracts both families seeking space and investors chasing rental yields.
By the way, you will find much more detailed price ranges across neighborhoods in our property pack covering the real estate market in the Gold Coast.
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.
Which property types are increasing faster in value in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the ranking of property types by value appreciation in the Gold Coast places units and apartments at the top, followed by townhouses and duplexes, with detached houses showing steady but slower percentage growth.
Units in well-located Gold Coast suburbs are appreciating at roughly 9% to 14% annually, outpacing houses by several percentage points as more buyers pivot toward affordable entry options in sought-after locations.
The main reason units are outperforming in the Gold Coast right now is affordability pressure combined with lifestyle demand, as buyers who cannot afford a A$1.35 million house can still access beach and transport-linked living through a well-positioned apartment or townhouse.
Finally, if you're interested in a specific property type, you will find our latest analyses here:
- How much should you pay for a house in the Gold Coast?
- How much should you pay for an apartment in the Gold Coast?
What is driving property prices up or down in the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the top three factors driving Gold Coast property prices are tight housing supply relative to population growth, extremely low rental vacancy rates that keep investor demand alive, and major infrastructure projects reaching completion along key corridors.
The single strongest upward pressure on Gold Coast property prices comes from the supply-demand imbalance, where building approvals are rising but finished homes are not hitting the market fast enough to satisfy the steady inflow of interstate migrants and growing local households.
If you want to understand these factors at a deeper level, you can read our latest property market analysis about the Gold Coast here.
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What is the property price forecast for the Gold Coast in 2026?
How much are property prices expected to increase in the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of early 2026, property prices in the Gold Coast are expected to increase by approximately 5% to 9% over the calendar year, representing a moderation from the stronger double-digit growth seen in 2024 and early 2025.
Forecasts from different analysts for Gold Coast property price growth in 2026 range from a conservative 4% to 5% at the lower end to an optimistic 9% to 10% at the upper end, depending on assumptions about interest rates and supply delivery.
The main assumption underlying most price increase forecasts for the Gold Coast is that interest rates will hold steady or edge lower through 2026, keeping borrowing capacity stable enough to support ongoing demand from lifestyle buyers and investors.
We go deeper and try to understand how solid are these forecasts in our pack covering the property market in the Gold Coast.
Which neighborhoods will see the highest price growth in the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of early 2026, the neighborhoods expected to see the highest price growth in the Gold Coast are Burleigh Heads and Burleigh Waters along the new light rail corridor, Coomera and Helensvale in the northern growth zone, and Southport as the city's emerging CBD.
These top Gold Coast neighborhoods are projected to achieve price growth of 8% to 12% through 2026, outperforming the broader market average due to their direct exposure to infrastructure improvements and lifestyle amenities.
The primary catalyst driving expected growth in these neighborhoods is the combination of Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 reaching Burleigh Heads mid-2026 and the Coomera Connector improving northern travel times, both of which fundamentally change accessibility and desirability.
One emerging neighborhood in the Gold Coast that could surprise with higher-than-expected growth is Labrador, which offers waterfront living at a discount to nearby Southport and Main Beach while benefiting from the same infrastructure and amenity upgrades.
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 property types will appreciate the most in the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of early 2026, units and apartments are expected to appreciate the most in the Gold Coast, particularly those in well-maintained buildings near transport, beaches, and employment hubs.
The projected appreciation for top-performing units in the Gold Coast sits at roughly 6% to 10% for 2026, with quality stock in suburbs like Broadbeach, Miami, and Burleigh Heads at the higher end of this range.
The main demand trend driving unit appreciation in the Gold Coast is affordability substitution, where buyers who cannot stretch to a A$1.35 million house are competing intensely for apartments and townhouses priced between A$700,000 and A$950,000.
On the other end, prestige detached houses in ultra-premium pockets like Main Beach and Hope Island are expected to underperform on percentage growth because their already-high price points limit the buyer pool and make them more sensitive to interest rate movements.
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.
How will interest rates affect property prices in the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of early 2026, interest rates are having a stabilizing rather than dampening effect on Gold Coast property prices, as the RBA cash rate of 3.60% has held steady long enough for buyers to adjust their expectations and borrowing capacity.
The current RBA cash rate target stands at 3.60%, and most economists expect mortgage rates in Australia to hold flat or potentially edge down modestly through 2026 if inflation continues to ease.
A 1% change in interest rates typically shifts borrowing capacity by roughly 10% in the Gold Coast market, which means a rate cut would expand buyer budgets and likely accelerate price growth, while an unexpected hike would slow momentum and squeeze affordability further.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Australia.
What are the biggest risks for property prices in the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three biggest risks for Gold Coast property prices are an unexpected interest rate increase that would squeeze affordability, a surge in completed housing supply that could soften unit prices, and rising insurance and strata costs that make coastal properties more expensive to hold.
The risk with the highest probability of materializing in the Gold Coast is the gradual increase in insurance premiums and body corporate fees, which is already affecting older high-rise buildings and could weigh on unit values in exposed coastal locations over time.
We actually cover all these risks and their likelihoods in our pack about the real estate market in the Gold Coast.
Is it a good time to buy a rental property in the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of early 2026, the Gold Coast remains an attractive market for rental property investment because of persistently low vacancy rates under 1%, strong population growth, and infrastructure improvements that support long-term demand.
The strongest argument in favor of buying a rental property in the Gold Coast now is that tight rental conditions mean you can likely secure a tenant quickly and achieve reasonable yields, especially for units and townhouses near transport and employment hubs.
The strongest argument for waiting before buying a rental property in the Gold Coast is that entry prices are historically high, which compresses yields, and there is some risk that a supply wave in 2027 or 2028 could moderate price growth and rental competition.
If you want to know our latest analysis (results may differ from what you just read), you can read our assessment on whether now is a good time to buy a property in the Gold Coast.
You'll also find a dedicated document about this specific question in our pack about real estate in the Gold Coast.
Buying real estate in the Gold Coast can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
Where will property prices be in 5 years in the Gold Coast?
What is the 5-year property price forecast for the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, cumulative property price growth in the Gold Coast over the next five years is expected to range from approximately 25% to 40%, which would take a typical house from A$1.35 million today to roughly A$1.70 million to A$1.90 million by 2031.
The range of 5-year forecasts for the Gold Coast spans from a conservative 25% total growth (if interest rates stay elevated and supply catches up) to an optimistic 40% or more (if rates fall and demand continues to outpace construction).
This translates to a projected average annual appreciation rate of roughly 4.5% to 7% per year over the next five years in the Gold Coast, which is moderate by recent standards but still above long-term Australian averages.
The key assumption most forecasters rely on for their 5-year Gold Coast predictions is that population growth will continue to outpace housing completions, keeping the supply-demand balance tilted in favor of sellers and landlords.
Which areas in the Gold Coast will have the best price growth over the next 5 years?
The three areas in the Gold Coast expected to have the best price growth over the next five years are the southern light rail corridor (Broadbeach to Palm Beach), the northern family growth zone (Coomera, Helensvale, Pimpama), and the emerging Southport CBD precinct.
These top-performing Gold Coast areas are projected to achieve 5-year cumulative price growth of 35% to 50%, outperforming the broader market due to infrastructure delivery, lifestyle appeal, and strong rental demand.
This forecast is largely consistent with our shorter-term 2026 outlook, because the same infrastructure projects and population dynamics drive both horizons, though the 5-year view allows more time for transport benefits to fully capitalize into property values.
The currently undervalued area in the Gold Coast with the best potential for outperformance over five years is Labrador, which offers waterfront access and proximity to Southport at a meaningful discount while infrastructure and amenity improvements gradually close the gap.
What property type will give the best return in the Gold Coast over 5 years as of 2026?
As of early 2026, well-located townhouses and quality apartments are expected to give the best total return over five years in the Gold Coast, balancing solid capital growth with attractive rental yields.
The projected 5-year total return for top-performing townhouses and units in the Gold Coast is approximately 45% to 65% when you combine capital appreciation of 30% to 45% with cumulative rental income, assuming typical yields of 4% to 5% annually.
The main structural trend favoring these property types over the next five years in the Gold Coast is affordability migration, where an increasing share of buyers and renters are priced out of detached houses and funneling into medium-density housing near transport and amenities.
For buyers seeking the best balance of return and lower risk over five years in the Gold Coast, a quality townhouse in a well-established suburb like Robina, Ashmore, or Burleigh Waters offers exposure to price growth without the body corporate risks and insurance volatility that can affect older high-rise units.
How will new infrastructure projects affect property prices in the Gold Coast over 5 years?
The three major infrastructure projects expected to impact Gold Coast property prices over the next five years are Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 (Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads), the Coomera Connector Stage 1 (improving northern corridor travel), and ongoing upgrades to the M1 Pacific Motorway and public transport connections.
Properties near completed infrastructure projects in the Gold Coast typically command a price premium of 5% to 15% compared to similar homes further from stations or improved roads, with the effect strongest for units and townhouses where car-free living becomes practical.
The specific neighborhoods that will benefit most from these infrastructure developments in the Gold Coast are Miami, Burleigh Waters, Burleigh Heads, and Palm Beach along the light rail extension, plus Coomera, Upper Coomera, Helensvale, and Nerang along the northern connector route.
How will population growth and other factors impact property values in the Gold Coast in 5 years?
Population growth in the Gold Coast is projected at roughly 2% to 2.5% annually over the next five years, which translates to approximately 30,000 to 40,000 additional residents who will need housing and support continued upward pressure on property values.
The demographic shift that will have the strongest influence on Gold Coast property demand is the continued influx of remote workers and young families from Sydney and Melbourne seeking lifestyle and affordability, which particularly drives demand for houses and townhouses in family-friendly suburbs with good schools.
Migration patterns, both interstate and international, are expected to keep the Gold Coast among Australia's fastest-growing regions, with interstate movers favoring the northern suburbs for space and value while international arrivals often cluster in established coastal and city-fringe areas.
The property types and areas that will benefit most from these demographic trends in the Gold Coast are family-sized townhouses and houses in suburbs like Coomera, Ormeau, and Pacific Pines in the north, plus apartments in Southport and the southern coastal strip where amenity access matters most.
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.
What is the 10 year property price outlook in the Gold Coast?
What is the 10-year property price prediction for the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of early 2026, cumulative property price growth in the Gold Coast over the next 10 years is expected to range from approximately 55% to 85%, which would take a typical house from A$1.35 million today to roughly A$2.1 million to A$2.5 million by 2036.
The range of 10-year forecasts for the Gold Coast spans from a conservative 55% total growth (assuming periodic slowdowns and at least one rate cycle) to an optimistic 85% or more (if population growth stays strong and supply remains constrained).
This translates to a projected average annual appreciation rate of roughly 4.5% to 6.5% per year over the next decade in the Gold Coast, which accounts for the reality that growth will not be linear and some years will be flat or negative.
The biggest uncertainty factor in making 10-year property price predictions for the Gold Coast is the interest rate cycle, since the trajectory of borrowing costs over a decade is essentially unknowable and has an outsized effect on buyer capacity and price ceilings.
What long-term economic factors will shape property prices in the Gold Coast?
The three long-term economic factors that will shape Gold Coast property prices over the next decade are sustained population growth and household formation, the balance between housing supply delivery and demand, and the evolution of interest rates and borrowing conditions.
The single long-term economic factor with the most positive impact on Gold Coast property values is population growth, because the city's lifestyle appeal, improving infrastructure, and relative affordability compared to Sydney create a durable draw that keeps demand elevated across market cycles.
The single long-term economic factor posing the greatest structural risk to Gold Coast property values is climate-related insurance cost escalation, which could make coastal properties increasingly expensive to hold and potentially trigger repricing in exposed high-rise and beachfront locations over the decade.
You'll also find a much more detailed analysis in our pack about real estate in the Gold Coast.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Queensland Housing Profiles (QGSO) | Official Queensland Government housing data compiled by the state statistician. | We used it to anchor local housing and demographic context for the Gold Coast. We cross-checked it against private indexes for consistency. |
| Queensland Valuer-General Property Sales | The statutory authority behind all Queensland property valuations and sales records. | We used it to sanity-check suburb-level pricing patterns. We treated it as ground-truth against index-based estimates. |
| PropTrack Home Price Index | A major national housing index from REA Group with transparent monthly updates. | We used it to gauge recent price momentum and compare Gold Coast to wider markets. We also triangulated annual growth rates when medians varied. |
| realestate.com.au (PropTrack reporting) | National property news outlet that clearly attributes numbers to PropTrack data. | We used it for Gold Coast-specific median reference points explicitly sourced to PropTrack. We treated it as a data-citing article, not a standalone dataset. |
| Cotality (CoreLogic) Indices | One of Australia's most widely used housing data providers with a rigorous hedonic method. | We used it to cross-check trends using a hedonic index less distorted than simple medians. We used it as a second lens alongside PropTrack. |
| RBA Monetary Policy Decision | The official Reserve Bank communication for the cash rate target decision. | We used it to pin the interest rate backdrop as of the first half of 2026. We then translated that into buyer-budget implications. |
| RBA Statement on Monetary Policy | The RBA's core macro outlook document covering jobs, inflation, and demand. | We used it to identify macro forces likely to matter in 2026. We focused on direction and risk rather than over-precise forecasts. |
| ABS Building Approvals | Australia's official monthly approvals series and key indicator of future supply. | We used it to judge whether housing supply is ramping up or staying tight. We connected that to price pressure dynamics. |
| ABS Average Floor Area of New Dwellings | Official ABS analysis of dwelling sizes useful for price-per-square-meter estimates. | We used it to convert median prices into credible per-square-meter figures. We kept the math simple and showed the logic. |
| SQM Research Vacancy Rates | Long-running Australian housing research firm with transparent vacancy tracking. | We used it to judge rental market tightness as a driver for investor demand. We used it as a stress gauge for rents and yields. |
| SQM Research Boom and Bust Report 2026 | SQM's flagship annual outlook with clearly stated drivers and leading indicators. | We used it to anchor a range-based Gold Coast outlook for 2026. We sanity-checked it against other forecasters and local fundamentals. |
| Domain House Price Reports | Major established publisher of recurring housing market reports in Australia. | We used it for longer-run context on how Australian housing has moved across cycles. We treated it as a consistent reporting series rather than the one true number. |
| Domain Forecast Report 2026 | Domain's own published forecast methodology for 2026, released publicly and widely cited. | We used it as a second independent forecast lens alongside SQM. We translated national signals into Gold Coast implications carefully. |
| QLD TMR Gold Coast Light Rail | Official Queensland transport project page with scope and timing details. | We used it to identify where accessibility improves most along the southern corridor. We explained how transport upgrades flow into housing demand. |
| Infrastructure Australia Coomera Connector | Federal project page with scope, timing, and cost for a major corridor upgrade. | We used it to support the northern growth corridor story. We connected it to demand for family homes in commutable suburbs. |
| QGSO Population Projections | Queensland Government's projections which matter for long-run housing demand. | We used it to justify why demand pressure can persist beyond a single year. We paired it with supply indicators for balance. |
| IMF World Economic Outlook | International benchmark for global growth and inflation assumptions. | We used it to frame global risks that can affect rates, jobs, and sentiment. We kept this high-level and brought it back to local housing. |
| OECD Australia Economic Outlook | Respected international macro institution with a dedicated Australia analysis. | We used it to triangulate macro direction and soft-landing versus slowdown risks. We focused on ranges rather than point forecasts. |
| AMP Insights (Oliver's Insights) | One of Australia's largest financial institutions with dedicated housing research. | We used it as a national baseline for 2026 growth expectations. We adjusted the figures for Gold Coast-specific conditions. |
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If you want to go deeper, you can read the following:
- Is now a good time to invest in property in the Gold Coast?