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 rental market in 2026 is one of Australia's most competitive for tenants and most attractive for landlords.
We update this article regularly to reflect the latest rent levels, vacancy rates, and neighborhood trends.
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 vacancy rate sits around 1.1% in January 2026, meaning roughly 9 tenants compete for every available rental.
- Studios now rent for about A$550 per week, higher than 2-bedroom apartments cost five years ago in many coastal suburbs.
- Properties near the G:link light rail in Southport, Surfers Paradise, and Broadbeach typically lease within 10 to 14 days.
- Furnished apartments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach command a 15% to 25% premium, making them profitable for investors targeting expats.
- Griffith and Bond University calendars drive rental demand spikes in January-February and June-July across Southport, Parkwood, and Robina.
- Gold Coast rent growth is expected to slow to 3% to 7% in 2026 as tenant affordability limits cap landlord pricing power.
- Main Beach and Mermaid Beach command the highest rents, with premium waterfront apartments reaching A$1,200+ per week.
- Air conditioning is non-negotiable for Gold Coast rentals; properties without it take 50% longer to lease and attract 10% to 15% lower rents.
- Families dominate Robina and Varsity Lakes, where 3-bedroom houses rent for A$800 to A$1,000 per week.
- Landlords typically budget 5% to 8% of rental income for maintenance, with coastal properties requiring extra for salt-air corrosion.
What are typical rents on the Gold Coast as of 2026?
What's the average monthly rent for a studio on the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average monthly rent for a studio on the Gold Coast is around A$2,380 (US$1,595 or €1,355), about A$550 per week.
Most studios rent between A$1,950 and A$2,800 per month (US$1,305 to US$1,875 or €1,110 to €1,595), depending on location, building quality, and furnishing.
Key factors affecting studio rents include beach proximity (especially Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach), G:link access, building age, and whether the unit has parking, A/C, or ocean views.
What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom on the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment on the Gold Coast is A$2,820 (US$1,890 or €1,605), about A$650 per week.
One-bedroom apartments typically range from A$2,165 to A$3,470 per month (US$1,450 to US$2,325 or €1,235 to €1,980) depending on suburb and condition.
The most affordable 1-bedroom rents are in Southport and Labrador, while Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, and Burleigh Heads command the highest prices.
What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom on the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment on the Gold Coast is A$3,470 (US$2,325 or €1,980), about A$800 per week.
Most 2-bedroom apartments range from A$2,600 to A$4,550 per month (US$1,740 to US$3,050 or €1,480 to €2,595), with significant variation by location.
Affordable options are in Ashmore, Benowa, and Southport, while Broadbeach Waters, Main Beach, and Burleigh Heads command premium prices.
By the way, you will find much more detailed rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in the Gold Coast.
What's the average rent per square meter on the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average rent per square meter on the Gold Coast for well-located apartments is about A$70 per month (US$47 or €40).
Rent per square meter ranges from A$50 to A$85 per month (US$33 to US$57 or €28 to €48), with premium coastal towers at the high end.
Compared to Brisbane at A$50 to A$60 per square meter, the Gold Coast commands a lifestyle premium, especially in beachfront suburbs.
Properties with ocean views, resort facilities, secure parking, and G:link walkability typically exceed the average.
How much have rents changed year-over-year on the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of January 2026, Gold Coast rents have increased by an estimated 6.5% year-over-year, with a likely range of 4% to 9%.
Key drivers include persistent interstate migration, vacancy rates around 1%, and limited new rental supply.
This growth is slower than the double-digit increases of 2022-2024, as tenant affordability now caps how much landlords can push rents.
What's the outlook for rent growth on the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of January 2026, projected rent growth on the Gold Coast is 3% to 7%, with strongest gains in lifestyle suburbs near light rail and beaches.
Key factors include continued population growth (Queensland is Australia's fastest-growing state), tight vacancies, and limited new apartment supply.
Burleigh Heads, Broadbeach, and the Southport-Parkwood corridor are expected to see the strongest rent growth in 2026.
Risks include a sharper economic slowdown, interest rate changes, or a surprise increase in new apartment completions.
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 neighborhoods rent best on the Gold Coast as of 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the highest rents on the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the highest-rent neighborhoods are Main Beach (A$1,100/week or A$4,770/month, US$3,195 or €2,720), Mermaid Beach (A$1,000/week, US$2,905 or €2,470), and Broadbeach Waters (A$950/week, US$2,760 or €2,350).
These areas combine beachfront access, quality buildings, walkable dining, and G:link proximity.
Typical tenants are high-income professionals, corporate relocators, expats, and affluent retirees who prioritize lifestyle.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in the Gold Coast.
Where do young professionals prefer to rent on the Gold Coast right now?
Young professionals favor Broadbeach (dining and events), Burleigh Heads (cafe culture), and Surfers Paradise North (nightlife and beach).
They typically pay A$2,600 to A$3,900 per month (US$1,740 to US$2,615 or €1,480 to €2,220) for 1 to 2 bedroom apartments.
Attractions include walkability, G:link access, co-working spaces, and car-light living with beach access.
By the way, you will find a detailed tenant analysis in our property pack covering the real estate market in the Gold Coast.
Where do families prefer to rent on the Gold Coast right now?
Families favor Robina (master-planned with amenities), Varsity Lakes (suburban with schools), and Ashmore (central, established).
They typically pay A$3,470 to A$4,335 per month (US$2,325 to US$2,905 or €1,980 to €2,470) for 3 to 4 bedroom houses.
These suburbs offer larger homes, quality schools, parks, shopping centers, and easy driving access.
Top schools include Somerset College, Hillcrest Christian College, and Benowa State High School.
Which areas near transit or universities rent faster on the Gold Coast in 2026?
As of January 2026, the fastest-renting areas are Southport (G:link and Griffith), Parkwood (campus access), and Robina (Bond University and train station).
Properties here typically stay listed just 10 to 14 days when priced correctly, versus 20 to 30 days elsewhere.
The rent premium for transit or university walkability is A$50 to A$100 per week (US$33 to US$67 or €28 to €57).
Which neighborhoods are most popular with expats on the Gold Coast right now?
Expats favor Surfers Paradise (resort living, furnished options), Broadbeach (walkable lifestyle), and Main Beach (prestige towers).
They typically pay A$3,035 to A$4,770 per month (US$2,035 to US$3,195 or €1,730 to €2,720) for furnished 1 to 2 bedroom apartments.
Attractions include furnished rentals, resort amenities, international dining, and airport access via light rail.
The largest expat communities are New Zealanders, British, South Africans, and Chinese and Indian professionals.
And if you are also an expat, you may want to read our exhaustive guide for expats in the Gold Coast.
Get fresh and reliable information about the market in the Gold Coast
Don't base significant investment decisions on outdated data. Get updated and accurate information with our guide.
Who rents, and what do tenants want on the Gold Coast right now?
What tenant profiles dominate rentals on the Gold Coast?
The dominant tenant profiles are young professionals and couples (35% to 40%), families (30% to 35%), and students (15% to 20%), with retirees and lifestyle movers making up the rest.
Young professionals seek modern 1 to 2 bedroom coastal apartments, families want 3 to 4 bedroom houses with school access, and students prioritize affordable accommodation near campus.
If you want to optimize your cashflow, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in the Gold Coast.
Do tenants prefer furnished or unfurnished on the Gold Coast?
About 70% of Gold Coast tenants prefer unfurnished, while 30% seek furnished, though this varies by suburb and tenant type.
Furnished apartments command A$100 to A$200 per week premium (US$67 to US$134 or €57 to €114).
Expats, corporate relocators, international students, and lifestyle renters typically prefer furnished options.
Which amenities increase rent the most on the Gold Coast?
The top rent-boosting amenities are air conditioning, secure parking, ocean views, resort facilities (pool, gym), and pet-friendly policies.
A/C adds A$30 to A$50/week (US$20 to US$33), parking adds A$40 to A$70/week (US$27 to US$47), ocean views add A$100+/week (US$67+), and pet-friendly policies add A$20 to A$40/week (US$13 to US$27).
In our property pack covering the real estate market in the Gold Coast, we cover what are the best investments a landlord can make.
What renovations get the best ROI for rentals on the Gold Coast?
Best ROI renovations are A/C upgrades, kitchen refreshes (fixtures, lighting, paint), bathroom updates (taps, mirrors), durable flooring, and built-in storage.
A/C costs A$2,000 to A$5,000 (US$1,340 to US$3,350) for A$30 to A$50/week uplift; kitchen refreshes cost A$3,000 to A$8,000 (US$2,010 to US$5,360) for A$40 to A$60/week uplift.
Avoid luxury bathroom overhauls, pool installations, and high-end appliances beyond market expectations.
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 strong is rental demand on the Gold Coast as of 2026?
What's the vacancy rate for rentals on the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the Gold Coast vacancy rate is approximately 1.1%, meaning the market remains very tight.
Vacancy ranges from 0.7% in high-demand suburbs like Burleigh Heads and Broadbeach to 1.5% in Helensvale and Coomera.
This is well below the 2% to 3% historical average that indicates a balanced market, giving landlords continued pricing power.
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.
How many days do rentals stay listed on the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average rental stays listed 12 to 18 days when priced correctly.
This ranges from 7 to 10 days in Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise to 25 to 35 days for overpriced or poorly presented properties.
Days-on-market has remained stable or slightly increased versus last year, reflecting some tenant caution despite tight vacancies.
Which months have peak tenant demand on the Gold Coast?
Peak demand months are January-February (work and university year start) and June-July (mid-year intakes).
Drivers include Griffith and Bond University terms, the Australian lease renewal cycle, and post-holiday interstate migration.
Lowest demand is September through November, when fewer people relocate and students are mid-semester.
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.
What will my monthly costs be on the Gold Coast as of 2026?
What property taxes should landlords expect on the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of January 2026, landlords should expect council rates of A$2,000 to A$3,200 per year (US$1,340 to US$2,145 or €1,140 to €1,825), plus land tax only if total taxable land value exceeds the threshold.
Total property taxes range from A$1,800 for modest properties to A$5,000+ (US$1,205 to US$3,350+) for high-value holdings.
Council rates are based on property valuation; land tax is determined by statewide holdings and many single-property investors pay zero.
Please note that, in our property pack covering the real estate market in the Gold Coast, we cover what exemptions or deductions may be available to reduce property taxes for landlords.
What maintenance budget per year is realistic on the Gold Coast right now?
A realistic annual maintenance budget is A$3,000 to A$5,000 (US$2,010 to US$3,350) for houses and A$1,500 to A$3,500 (US$1,005 to US$2,345) for units, plus body corporate.
Costs range from A$1,200 for newer units to A$7,000+ (US$805 to US$4,690+) for older houses with gardens or pools.
Most landlords budget 5% to 8% of rental income, with coastal properties requiring more for salt-air corrosion and A/C servicing.
What utilities do landlords often pay on the Gold Coast right now?
Landlords commonly pay water service charges (A$30 to A$50/month or US$20 to US$33), while tenants cover electricity, gas, and internet.
For all-inclusive arrangements, typical costs are A$150 to A$250/month (US$100 to US$167) for electricity and A$50 to A$80/month (US$33 to US$54) for water.
Standard practice is landlords pay water service charges, tenants pay usage (if metered), and electricity/gas/internet are tenant responsibility.
How is rental income taxed on the Gold Coast as of 2026?
As of January 2026, rental income is taxed at your marginal rate (0% to 45%) as part of total taxable income.
Main deductions include mortgage interest, council rates, property management fees, insurance, repairs, depreciation, and capital works.
Common mistakes to avoid: claiming capital improvements as immediate repairs, failing to apportion part-year expenses, and poor record-keeping.
We cover these mistakes, among others, in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying property in the Gold Coast.
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 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.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Queensland RTA - Median Rents | Queensland's official rental regulator publishing bond-based rent medians. | We used RTA data as our ground truth for actual lease prices across Gold Coast suburbs. |
| RTA Median Rents Quick Finder | Regulator's postcode and dwelling-type tool, updated quarterly. | We validated suburb-level rent ranges for houses versus units behind our examples. |
| SQM Research - Vacancy Rate | Widely referenced housing data provider with consistent vacancy methodology. | We estimated market tightness as of late 2025 into 2026. |
| SQM Research - Weekly Rents | Transparent asking-rent time series by region. | We triangulated rent levels against Domain and PropTrack numbers. |
| REIQ | Peak Queensland real estate body with regular vacancy reporting. | We cross-validated that Gold Coast vacancies remain tight. |
| ABS - Rental Market Insights | Australia's official statistics agency on rents and affordability. | We explained the difference between asking rents and actual rents paid. |
| Domain - Gold Coast Rents | Major property portal with Domain Rent Report figures. | We used headline rent levels as a market reality check. |
| ABC News - PropTrack Data | National broadcaster with clear PropTrack attribution. | We benchmarked historical medians and scaled forward to 2026. |
| REA Group - PropTrack | Major listings and analytics provider. | We contextualized advertised-rent methodology and seasonality. |
| PropTrack Rental Report | Primary report from established property data provider. | We supported demand and tightness logic with listing volume insights. |
| QRO - Land Tax | Official Queensland Government land tax source. | We explained when landlords owe land tax and produced cost ranges. |
| City of Gold Coast - Fees | Official council fees schedule for 2025-26. | We translated official rates into practical cost planning figures. |
| ATO - Repairs and Maintenance | Official source on rental property deductions. | We separated repairs from capital improvements for ROI calculations. |
| AER - Default Market Offer | National energy regulator setting Southeast Queensland price caps. | We anchored electricity cost expectations for landlords. |
| Energy.gov.au - DMO | Federal government DMO timing summary. | We confirmed price direction going into 2026. |
| Griffith University - 2026 Calendar | Official calendar for major Gold Coast tenant pool. | We identified demand peaks around trimester starts. |
| Bond University - 2026 Dates | Official schedule for Robina-area tenant driver. | We reinforced student demand patterns in Robina and Varsity Lakes. |
| QGSO - Population Growth | Official Queensland Treasury statistics body. | We supported demand-side analysis with migration and growth data. |
| Profile.id - Gold Coast Tenure | Census-based demographic and tenure analysis. | We validated tenant profile segmentation across suburbs. |
Get the full checklist for your due diligence in the Gold Coast
Don't repeat the same mistakes others have made before you. Make sure everything is in order before signing your sales contract.
Related blog posts
- Is now a good time to invest in property in the Gold Coast?