Broadbeach vs Broadbeach Waters

Broadbeach Waters is the younger of the two, with a median age of 43 against 46 in Broadbeach. In Broadbeach, about half of households rent, the large majority of homes are flats or apartments, and most households are people living alone. In Broadbeach Waters, the large majority of households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. Houses cost more in Broadbeach Waters: a median of $2.59 million, against $1.3 million in Broadbeach, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Broadbeach tends to suit renters, young adults, and people living alone.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Broadbeach Waters

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more separate houses rather than flats (78% vs 0%)
  • is already more of a family suburb (58% vs 24%)
  • has more parks and reserves (19 vs 12)
  • But Broadbeach has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

They split

one each way, out of the 3 things we measure here

  • Broadbeach has cheaper houses ($1,305,000 vs $2,591,000)
  • Broadbeach Waters has cheaper units ($920,000 vs $1,090,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Broadbeach

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (51% vs 23%)
  • has cheaper rent ($420/wk vs $600/wk)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Broadbeach

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (81/100 vs 57/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Broadbeach

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (100% vs 22%)
  • is more walkable (81/100 vs 57/100)
  • has more residents already 65 and over (24% vs 19%)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Broadbeach

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (23.1% vs 4.9%)

Weighs unit yield and population growth.

Where they sit

Broadbeach and Broadbeach Waters drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
Walkability 81 / 57
Broadbeach — Walkability: 81/100 Broadbeach Waters — Walkability: 57/100
Safety 7 / 9
Broadbeach — Safety: 7/100 Broadbeach Waters — Safety: 9/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Broadbeach — Low fire risk: 100/100 Broadbeach Waters — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Broadbeach Waters has higher household incomes ($107,744 vs $73,788); Broadbeach Waters rents higher ($600/wk vs $420/wk).

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
Population 6,786 8,164
+20% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +23.1% +4.9%
Median age 46 43
Median household income $73,788/yr $107,744/yr
+46% vs other
Median weekly rent $420/wk $600/wk
+43% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
0-4 2.8% / 4.1%
Broadbeach — 0-4: 2.8% Broadbeach Waters — 0-4: 4.1%
5-14 4.2% / 11.1%
Broadbeach — 5-14: 4.2% Broadbeach Waters — 5-14: 11.1%
15-19 2.3% / 5.9%
Broadbeach — 15-19: 2.3% Broadbeach Waters — 15-19: 5.9%
20-24 6.9% / 6.1%
Broadbeach — 20-24: 6.9% Broadbeach Waters — 20-24: 6.1%
25-34 19.9% / 12.1%
Broadbeach — 25-34: 19.9% Broadbeach Waters — 25-34: 12.1%
35-44 12.5% / 12.7%
Broadbeach — 35-44: 12.5% Broadbeach Waters — 35-44: 12.7%
45-54 10.9% / 15.4%
Broadbeach — 45-54: 10.9% Broadbeach Waters — 45-54: 15.4%
55-64 16.2% / 13.2%
Broadbeach — 55-64: 16.2% Broadbeach Waters — 55-64: 13.2%
65-74 13.5% / 11.0%
Broadbeach — 65-74: 13.5% Broadbeach Waters — 65-74: 11.0%
75-84 8.4% / 5.9%
Broadbeach — 75-84: 8.4% Broadbeach Waters — 75-84: 5.9%
85+ 2.5% / 2.5%
Broadbeach — 85+: 2.5% Broadbeach Waters — 85+: 2.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (19.9%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Broadbeach 60.8% lone person
Broadbeach — Lone Person: 60.8% Broadbeach — Couple Families: 13.4% Broadbeach — One Parent Families: 10.9% Broadbeach — Group Household: 12.8% Broadbeach — Other Families: 2.0%
Broadbeach Waters 30.6% lone person
Broadbeach Waters — Lone Person: 30.6% Broadbeach Waters — Couple Families: 44.3% Broadbeach Waters — One Parent Families: 13.3% Broadbeach Waters — Group Household: 9.8% Broadbeach Waters — Other Families: 2.0%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Broadbeach 51.4% renting
Broadbeach — Owned Outright: 30.7% Broadbeach — Mortgage: 17.9% Broadbeach — Renting: 51.4%
Broadbeach Waters 23.2% renting
Broadbeach Waters — Owned Outright: 40.4% Broadbeach Waters — Mortgage: 36.5% Broadbeach Waters — Renting: 23.2%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
New Zealand 5.7% / 6.3%
Broadbeach — New Zealand: 5.7% Broadbeach Waters — New Zealand: 6.3%
England 4.6% / 4.9%
Broadbeach — England: 4.6% Broadbeach Waters — England: 4.9%
Brazil 2.9% / 1.3%
Broadbeach — Brazil: 2.9% Broadbeach Waters — Brazil: 1.3%
China 1.3% / 1.7%
Broadbeach — China: 1.3% Broadbeach Waters — China: 1.7%
South Africa 1.1% / 1.2%
Broadbeach — South Africa: 1.1% Broadbeach Waters — South Africa: 1.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (6.3%).

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
Bachelor Degree 17.1% / 16.1%
Broadbeach — Bachelor Degree: 17.1% Broadbeach Waters — Bachelor Degree: 16.1%
Certificate III & IV 12.4% / 14.0%
Broadbeach — Certificate III & IV: 12.4% Broadbeach Waters — Certificate III & IV: 14.0%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 10.2% / 9.9%
Broadbeach — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 10.2% Broadbeach Waters — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.9%
Postgraduate Degree 5.4% / 4.4%
Broadbeach — Postgraduate Degree: 5.4% Broadbeach Waters — Postgraduate Degree: 4.4%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.0% / 1.7%
Broadbeach — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.0% Broadbeach Waters — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (17.1%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Broadbeach 98.8% flats / apartments
Broadbeach — Flats / Apartments: 98.8% Broadbeach — Houses: 0.3% Broadbeach — Townhouses: 1.0%
Broadbeach Waters 15.2% flats / apartments
Broadbeach Waters — Flats / Apartments: 15.2% Broadbeach Waters — Houses: 78.3% Broadbeach Waters — Townhouses: 6.4%
Flats / Apartments Houses Townhouses

Property market

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
Median house price $1,305,000 $2,591,000
Median unit price $1,090,000 $920,000
Median land price — $2,550,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 26 days
from 5 sales
 30 days
from 150 sales

Unit price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
1 bed $700K / $731K
Broadbeach — 1 bed: $700K (104 sales) Broadbeach Waters — 1 bed: $731K (7 sales)

104 vs 7 sales

2 bed $1.16M / $920K
Broadbeach — 2 bed: $1.16M (234 sales) Broadbeach Waters — 2 bed: $920K (19 sales)

234 vs 19 sales

Development activity

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
New dwellings approved 7,196
across Gold Coast
same for both
Approvals change year on year -35%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
Houses — 2.9%
$1,515/wk on $2.75M
Units 4.5%
$995/wk on $1.15M
 4.8%
$800/wk on $870K

Ranking within QLD

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 44% of QLD Higher than 80% of QLD
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 96% of QLD Higher than 89% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 92% of QLD
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 84% of QLD
same for both
Rental yield (houses) — Higher than 9% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 53% of QLD Higher than 65% of QLD

Liveability

Broadbeach is more walkable (81 vs 57).

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
Grade B
same for both
Score 54/100 58/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 7/10
 very advantaged area
decile 10/10

Risk profile

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
93/100
 High
91/100
Flood —
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 0
within 5 km
 1
within 5 km

Schools

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
Inside the suburb 1 0
Rated above peers 1 0
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 2
Gold Coast campus, 6.1 km
 2
Gold Coast campus, 5.3 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 1.9% 2.4%

Schools in Broadbeach

  • Broadbeach State School Government · Primary above peers

Schools in Broadbeach Waters

No schools recorded inside this suburb's boundary. Children here will be zoned to schools nearby.

Amenities in the suburb

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
Supermarkets 1 2
Cafes & restaurants 73 5
Parks & reserves 12 19
Childcare 2 3
GPs 2 3
Pharmacies 5 4
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 0 6
Fuel stations 1
same for both
EV chargers 1 2
Waterways 2 1

Mobility

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
Walkability score 81/100 57/100
Distance to Brisbane 83.2 km 82.4 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 68 min 66 min
Public transport score 80/100
Tram · Bus
 79/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 126.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 126.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.7%
postcode 4218
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 32
postcode 4218
same for both

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
Car (driver) 57.5% / 67.9%
Broadbeach — Car (driver): 57.5% Broadbeach Waters — Car (driver): 67.9%
Worked from Home 19.5% / 21.2%
Broadbeach — Worked from Home: 19.5% Broadbeach Waters — Worked from Home: 21.2%
Walked Only 10.9% / 2.5%
Broadbeach — Walked Only: 10.9% Broadbeach Waters — Walked Only: 2.5%
Car (passenger) 3.7% / 4.3%
Broadbeach — Car (passenger): 3.7% Broadbeach Waters — Car (passenger): 4.3%
Tram / Light Rail 3.1% / 0.5%
Broadbeach — Tram / Light Rail: 3.1% Broadbeach Waters — Tram / Light Rail: 0.5%
Bicycle 1.7% / 1.5%
Broadbeach — Bicycle: 1.7% Broadbeach Waters — Bicycle: 1.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (67.9%).

Setting

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
Elevation 10 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 3 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 451 m
662 m to a named beach
 2.0 km
2.0 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
Connectivity score 74/100
same for both
Most common technology Fibre to the building Hybrid fibre-coaxial
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 17%
7,947 premises
 2%
4,320 premises

Climate

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
Annual rainfall 1,351 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 28.9°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 12.5°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
PM2.5 4.9 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 14.3 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.43 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
Average residential rate $1,298/yr
same for both
Council Gold Coast
same for both

Federal electorate

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
Division Moncrieff
same for both
Member Angie Bell
same for both
Party Liberal National Party of Queensland
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Broadbeach

Apartments Beach Cafe Culture Coastal Parks Premium River Trams Urban

Broadbeach Waters

Coastal Luxury Parks Quiet Regional Centre

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Broadbeach

Broadbeach vs Surfers Paradise Broadbeach vs Mermaid Waters Broadbeach vs Mermaid Beach

Other comparisons with Broadbeach Waters

Broadbeach Waters vs Surfers Paradise Broadbeach Waters vs Carrara Broadbeach Waters vs Mermaid Waters Broadbeach Waters vs Benowa Broadbeach Waters vs Bundall Broadbeach Waters vs Clear Island Waters
Full data on Broadbeach Full data on Broadbeach Waters
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Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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