Compare suburbs Rankings About Blog
Map of Carrara
5.2 km from CBD
Home  ·  Suburbs  ·  Carrara

True annual cost of living in Carrara, QLD 4211

Carrara sits 5.2 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Annual running costs for a house total $9,023, covering council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance. Unit costs come in at $7,403, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,800 body corporate levy. Switching from driving to public transport saves $247 per year at this distance.

Annual cost — house
$9,023
Driving · per year
$752/month
Lower cost
Annual cost — unit
$7,403
Incl. body corporate
$617/month
House vs unit difference
−$1,620
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
City of Gold Coast 2025-26
$1,298
Water & sewerage
City of Gold Coast Water & Sewerage 2025-26
$2,086
Commute — driving
ATO 88c/km · 5.2km from CBD · 192 days
$439
Home insurance
Estimated — flood High, fire Medium
$5,200
Total annual running cost
$9,023
($752/month)
↑ 15% above City of Gold Coast average
SuburbCost affordability score ●○○○○ 2.8/10
Compare Carrara with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Carrara to the CBD?
Public transport saves Carrara residents $247 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $439 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Carrara?
Carrara falls under City of Gold Coast. The residential general rate for 2025–26 is $1,298 per year for an owner-occupied house. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,298 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Carrara?
Running a unit in Carrara costs approximately $7,403 per year by car or $7,156 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,298, water and sewerage $2,086, estimated body corporate levy of $2,800, and contents insurance of $780. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings — always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Compare up to five suburbs.

Free 5-page PDF report. Enter your suburbs below.

Included:
Annual cost breakdown
10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
Crime risk ratings
AI suburb recommendations
Up to 5 suburbs, side by side
I'm looking at a
We'll never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.
Opening your report…
Your report is opening in a new tab. Check your inbox if it doesn't appear within a minute.
Data sources: Council rates: City of Gold Coast 2025-26. Water: City of Gold Coast Water & Sewerage 2025-26. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2025–26 (88c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA NAPLAN 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data updated July 2025.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.