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The Gold Coast property market in September 2025 presents compelling opportunities for both investors and homebuyers seeking high-growth potential in Australia's fastest-growing regional market. With median house prices ranging from $830,000 to $1.2M+ and strong rental yields of 4-6%, the market combines affordability with impressive returns amid major infrastructure developments and robust population growth.
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The Gold Coast property market offers strong investment potential with median house prices of $830K-$1.2M+, rental yields of 4-6%, extremely low vacancy rates of 1.1-1.3%, and significant infrastructure investments driving long-term growth.
Major projects including the G:Link expansion, Coomera Connector motorway, and Olympics preparations are boosting property values, while population growth of 1.34% annually and declining interest rates create favorable market conditions for buyers in 2025.
| Key Metric | Current Status (Sept 2025) | Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Median House Price | $1.08M-$1.17M regional median | Continued growth expected |
| Median Unit Price | $597K-$670K depending on suburb | Strong demand maintaining prices |
| Rental Yields Houses | 3.2-4.6% across suburbs | Stable with low vacancy rates |
| Rental Yields Units | 5.3-6.2% in key areas | Higher returns than houses |
| Vacancy Rate | 1.1-1.3% citywide | Remaining tight due to migration |
| Population Growth | 1.34% annually (752,570 total) | 800,000+ by 2030 |
| 12-Month Price Growth | 9-10.5% increase | Moderated but positive growth |
What are the current median property prices in the Gold Coast by suburb and property type?
The Gold Coast property market shows significant price variation across suburbs and property types as of September 2025.
Houses across the Gold Coast have a regional median of $1.08M to $1.17M. Premium suburbs command the highest prices, with Robina reaching $1.28M, while Burleigh Heads sits at $1.17M. Southport offers more accessible entry points at $970,000 for median house prices.
Growth suburbs present more affordable options for first-time buyers and investors. Coomera maintains median house prices between $830,000-$857,000, making it one of the most accessible markets for property investment. Pimpama follows similar patterns with houses ranging from $600,000-$700,000.
Units and apartments provide lower entry points across all suburbs. Coomera units start from $597,000, while Southport units range from $650,000-$670,000. Robina units command approximately $800,000, reflecting the suburb's premium positioning.
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How have these prices changed over the past 12 months compared to the past 5 years?
The Gold Coast property market has experienced exceptional growth over both short and long-term periods.
Over the past 12 months ending September 2025, property prices have increased by 9-10.5% across the region. This represents strong but moderated growth compared to the peak years of the recent property cycle. Robina led the market with 18% growth, while Southport achieved 16-18% increases.
The five-year growth story is even more dramatic. Gold Coast property prices have surged 72-80% over the past five years, significantly outperforming national averages. This exceptional growth reflects continuous demand driven by lifestyle migration, infrastructure development, and the region's appeal as both a residential and investment destination.
Coomera and other growth corridors have seen consistent annual growth of 8-11%, while established premium suburbs like Burleigh Heads have maintained steady 10% annual increases. These figures demonstrate the market's resilience and sustained demand across different price points and suburb types.
What are the current rental yields across different suburbs and property types?
| Suburb | House Yield | Unit Yield |
|---|---|---|
| Coomera | 4.5-4.6% | 5.36-5.4% |
| Southport | 4.5% | 6.18% |
| Pimpama | 4.5% | 5.5% |
| Robina | 4.5% | 5.0% |
| Labrador | 4.1-4.6% | 5.3-6.0% |
| Premium Suburbs | 3.2-4.5% | 4.5-5.5% |
| Burleigh Heads | 3.5-4.0% | N/A |
How do short-term rental returns compare with long-term rentals in the Gold Coast right now?
Short-term rental returns significantly outperform long-term residential rentals across the Gold Coast market.
Short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb typically generate returns exceeding 6% annually, particularly in tourist-favored zones like Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. These areas benefit from consistent holiday demand, events, and the region's appeal as a domestic and international tourism destination.
However, short-term rentals require active management and face seasonal fluctuations. Returns depend heavily on occupancy rates, which can vary based on tourism patterns, local events, and economic conditions. Property owners must also consider higher maintenance costs, cleaning expenses, and management fees.
Long-term residential rentals offer more predictable returns ranging from 3.2% to 6.2% depending on suburb and property type. While yields may be lower than short-term options, they provide stable monthly income with minimal management requirements and lower vacancy risk given the current 1.1-1.3% vacancy rates.
The choice between short-term and long-term rentals should align with your investment strategy, management capacity, and risk tolerance.
What are vacancy rates by area and how have they shifted recently?
The Gold Coast rental market maintains exceptionally tight conditions with vacancy rates averaging 1.1-1.3% citywide as of September 2025.
High-demand suburbs including Surfers Paradise, Coomera, and Southport show even tighter conditions, often below 1.3%. These low vacancy rates indicate strong tenant demand and minimal downtime for rental properties, heavily favoring landlords in the current market.
The tight vacancy conditions reflect several factors: robust population growth of 1.34% annually, continued interstate migration to Queensland, and limited new rental stock relative to demand. These conditions have remained consistent throughout 2025, with no significant shifts toward higher vacancy rates.
For property investors, these low vacancy rates translate to reliable rental income with minimal void periods. However, they also indicate a constrained rental market that may face pressure if new supply doesn't keep pace with population growth.
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How does population growth and interstate migration into the Gold Coast look over the next 1, 3, and 5 years?
The Gold Coast shows exceptional population growth prospects across all timeframes, driven by lifestyle migration and economic opportunities.
Current population stands at approximately 752,570 with annual growth of 1.34%. Net overseas migration contributes significantly with an estimated 14,500 net gain in the latest year. Interstate migration from southern states continues as residents seek Queensland's lifestyle advantages and lower cost of living relative to Sydney and Melbourne.
One-year outlook maintains sustained growth above 1% annually. Three-year projections show the population crossing 775,000-780,000 as infrastructure projects enhance connectivity and employment opportunities. The completion of major transport projects will likely accelerate this growth.
Five-year forecasts push the population toward 800,000+ residents. Continued interstate migration is expected, particularly as major infrastructure delivers improved accessibility and lifestyle amenities. The 2032 Olympics preparations and associated developments will further boost migration and population growth.
This consistent population growth underpins property demand across all segments, supporting both rental markets and capital growth prospects for property owners.
What new infrastructure or development projects are planned and how might they impact specific suburbs?
Major infrastructure projects are reshaping the Gold Coast property landscape with significant impacts on specific suburbs.
The G:Link Light Rail Expansion (Stage 3) completed in 2025 now connects Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads with new stations. This expansion has increased property demand in Burleigh Heads and surrounding areas, improving connectivity to employment and retail centers.
The $3 billion Coomera Connector motorway dramatically improves accessibility for northern suburbs including Coomera, Helensvale, and Pimpama. This project reduces travel times to Brisbane and other major centers, making these growth corridors more attractive for both residents and investors.
New train stations at Hope Island and Pimpama unlock high-growth housing corridors by providing direct rail connections to Brisbane. These transport links are particularly valuable for commuters and significantly boost property values in surrounding areas.
Olympics-related infrastructure includes sports facilities, parks, and community investments near event hubs in Robina, Southport, and Broadbeach. These improvements enhance amenity value and long-term appeal for these established suburbs.
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How do interest rate trends and lending conditions affect affordability in the short term versus medium term?
Interest rate trends and lending conditions create both opportunities and challenges for Gold Coast property buyers in 2025.
Short-term outlook shows interest rates forecast to drop 1-2% over the next 12-18 months. This decline in borrowing costs will boost affordability for new buyers and stimulate market demand. Lower rates increase borrowing capacity, allowing buyers to access higher-priced properties or reduce monthly payments.
However, the rate decline may trigger increased demand, potentially pushing property prices higher and offsetting some affordability gains. First-time buyers should act quickly to secure properties before rates drop and competition intensifies.
Medium-term conditions present mixed signals. While lending may become easier with lower rates, continued population growth and migration may keep property prices elevated. The combination of easier credit and strong demand could create sustained price pressure across popular suburbs.
Current lending conditions remain relatively accessible for qualified buyers, with major banks offering competitive rates and loan products. However, serviceability requirements and deposit needs still present barriers for some buyers, particularly in higher-priced suburbs like Robina and Burleigh Heads.
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What are the best-performing suburbs historically for capital growth and are they still trending upward?
Historical capital growth champions continue showing strong performance, though with some variation in current trends.
Top historical performers include Robina, Coomera, Southport, Pimpama, Labrador, Arundel, Burleigh Heads, and Surfers Paradise. These suburbs have consistently delivered annual price growth exceeding 10-13% in recent years, driven by infrastructure development, employment growth, and lifestyle appeal.
Current trends show these suburbs maintaining strong performance. Robina leads with 18% growth in the past year, while Southport achieved 16-18% increases. Coomera continues steady growth at 8-11% annually, reflecting its position as a key growth corridor with major infrastructure benefits.
Burleigh Heads maintains approximately 10% annual growth, supported by the new light rail connection and beachside lifestyle appeal. Pimpama shows similar growth patterns around 10%, benefiting from new train station development and affordable entry points.
These suburbs remain trending upward due to ongoing infrastructure delivery, population growth, and sustained demand from both investors and owner-occupiers. Their historical performance provides confidence for continued capital growth prospects.
How much should a buyer budget realistically for entry-level apartments, townhouses, and houses in the most popular areas?
Realistic budget requirements vary significantly by property type and location across popular Gold Coast areas.
Entry-level apartments and units require budgets of $600,000-$750,000 in popular areas. Coomera offers the most affordable entry point at $597,000 for units, while Southport units range from $650,000-$670,000. Robina units command higher prices around $800,000 due to premium positioning.
Townhouses typically fall in the $650,000-$850,000 range depending on location and quality. Growth suburbs like Coomera and Pimpama offer lower entry points, while established areas command premium prices.
Houses represent the highest investment level, requiring $830,000-$1.2M+ budgets for popular areas. Coomera provides the most accessible house market at $830,000-$857,000, while premium suburbs like Robina reach $1.28M and Burleigh Heads hits $1.17M.
Beyond purchase prices, buyers should budget for additional costs including stamp duty (varies by buyer status), legal fees, building and pest inspections, and ongoing property management if purchasing for investment purposes.
Which areas are most suitable depending on the goal — living, renting out, or reselling in the near future?
Different Gold Coast suburbs suit specific investment and lifestyle goals based on their characteristics and market position.
For living and lifestyle, premium amenity areas offer the best quality of life. Robina provides excellent shopping, education, and recreation facilities with Olympics venue access. Southport offers urban conveniences with health precinct employment. Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads deliver beachside living with dining and entertainment options.
For rental income and yield focus, growth suburbs and high-demand areas perform best. Coomera delivers strong yields of 4.5-5.4% with infrastructure-driven growth. Southport combines solid yields (4.5-6.18%) with diverse tenant demand. Pimpama offers affordable entry with decent yields around 4.5-5.5%.
For short-term resale and capital growth, infrastructure corridors and high-migration areas show the most promise. Coomera benefits from major transport projects and population growth. Hope Island gains from new train station development. Areas around new light rail stations in Burleigh Heads benefit from improved connectivity.
Long-term capital growth prospects favor established premium suburbs like Robina, Burleigh Heads, and Surfers Paradise, which combine lifestyle appeal with sustained demand and limited supply constraints.
If you decide to buy now, what property type and location give you the best balance of affordability, rental return, and long-term growth potential?
For the optimal balance of affordability, rental returns, and growth potential, Coomera and Southport emerge as the standout choices in September 2025.
Coomera offers the best overall value proposition with affordable entry points ($597,000-$857,000), strong rental yields (4.5-5.4%), and significant infrastructure benefits from the Coomera Connector and new transport links. The suburb combines accessible pricing with robust growth prospects driven by major public and private investment.
Southport provides excellent diversification with median prices around $650,000-$970,000, exceptional unit yields of 6.18%, and strong house yields of 4.5%. The suburb benefits from health precinct employment, urban amenities, and consistent demand from both renters and buyers.
Units in these suburbs typically offer the best balance, providing lower entry costs, higher rental yields, and easier property management compared to houses. Units also offer better liquidity for future resale and attract diverse tenant demographics including professionals, couples, and small families.
Both suburbs benefit from active infrastructure delivery, robust migration trends, and tight vacancy rates that support rental income. Their position in growth corridors with improving connectivity provides confidence for long-term capital appreciation while maintaining affordability for current market entry.
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Conclusion
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We do not assume any liability for actions taken based on the information provided.
The Gold Coast property market in September 2025 presents compelling opportunities for buyers seeking balanced investment returns and lifestyle benefits.
With exceptional infrastructure development, sustained population growth, and tight rental markets, the region offers both immediate rental yields and long-term capital growth potential for informed buyers.
Sources
- OpenAgent - Best Suburbs to Invest Gold Coast
- GC Property Buyers - Real Estate on the Gold Coast
- Realestate.com.au - Gold Coast Home Prices Surge
- Image Property - SEQ Property Market Update Q2 2025
- Coast Buyers Agency - Top Suburbs for Rental Yield 2025
- Nortons Real Estate - Gold Coast Property Investment 2025
- World Population Review - Gold Coast
- Coast Buyers Agency - Infrastructure Projects
- Smyth Real Estate - Market Analysis
- Star Investment - Suburbs to Invest Gold Coast 2025