Broadbeach vs Mermaid Waters

Mermaid Waters is the younger of the two, with a median age of 40 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 Mermaid Waters, most households own their home and most homes are detached houses. Houses cost more in Mermaid Waters: a median of $2.2 million, against $1.3 million in Broadbeach, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Broadbeach tends to suit renters, people living alone, and buyers on a tighter budget.

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

Mermaid Waters

ahead on 6 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more separate houses rather than flats (60% vs 0%)
  • has more parks and reserves (68 vs 12)
  • has more childcare (7 vs 2)

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 $2,200,000)
  • Mermaid Waters has cheaper units ($913,000 vs $1,090,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Broadbeach

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (51% vs 30%)

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 50/100)

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 40%)
  • is more walkable (81/100 vs 50/100)
  • has more residents already 65 and over (24% vs 19%)
  • But Mermaid Waters carries lower crime risk (60/100 vs 93/100)

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 8.7%)

Weighs unit yield and population growth.

Where they sit

Broadbeach and Mermaid 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 Mermaid 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 Mermaid Waters
Walkability 81 / 50
Broadbeach — Walkability: 81/100 Mermaid Waters — Walkability: 50/100
Safety 7 / 40
Broadbeach — Safety: 7/100 Mermaid Waters — Safety: 40/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Broadbeach — Low fire risk: 100/100 Mermaid Waters — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Mermaid Waters has more residents (13,088 vs 6,786); Mermaid Waters has higher household incomes ($91,832 vs $73,788).

Broadbeach Mermaid Waters
Population 6,786 13,088
+93% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +23.1% +8.7%
Median age 46 40
Median household income $73,788/yr $91,832/yr
+24% vs other
Median weekly rent $420/wk $450/wk
+7% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Broadbeach Mermaid Waters
0-4 2.8% / 5.4%
Broadbeach — 0-4: 2.8% Mermaid Waters — 0-4: 5.4%
5-14 4.2% / 11.9%
Broadbeach — 5-14: 4.2% Mermaid Waters — 5-14: 11.9%
15-19 2.3% / 5.4%
Broadbeach — 15-19: 2.3% Mermaid Waters — 15-19: 5.4%
20-24 6.9% / 5.3%
Broadbeach — 20-24: 6.9% Mermaid Waters — 20-24: 5.3%
25-34 19.9% / 13.7%
Broadbeach — 25-34: 19.9% Mermaid Waters — 25-34: 13.7%
35-44 12.5% / 14.2%
Broadbeach — 35-44: 12.5% Mermaid Waters — 35-44: 14.2%
45-54 10.9% / 13.8%
Broadbeach — 45-54: 10.9% Mermaid Waters — 45-54: 13.8%
55-64 16.2% / 11.2%
Broadbeach — 55-64: 16.2% Mermaid Waters — 55-64: 11.2%
65-74 13.5% / 10.7%
Broadbeach — 65-74: 13.5% Mermaid Waters — 65-74: 10.7%
75-84 8.4% / 6.2%
Broadbeach — 75-84: 8.4% Mermaid Waters — 75-84: 6.2%
85+ 2.5% / 2.2%
Broadbeach — 85+: 2.5% Mermaid Waters — 85+: 2.2%

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%
Mermaid Waters 33.3% lone person
Mermaid Waters — Lone Person: 33.3% Mermaid Waters — Couple Families: 40.0% Mermaid Waters — One Parent Families: 16.3% Mermaid Waters — Group Household: 8.6% Mermaid Waters — Other Families: 1.7%
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%
Mermaid Waters 29.6% renting
Mermaid Waters — Owned Outright: 35.4% Mermaid Waters — Mortgage: 35.0% Mermaid Waters — Renting: 29.6%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Broadbeach Mermaid Waters
Bachelor Degree 17.1% / 14.6%
Broadbeach — Bachelor Degree: 17.1% Mermaid Waters — Bachelor Degree: 14.6%
Certificate III & IV 12.4% / 14.5%
Broadbeach — Certificate III & IV: 12.4% Mermaid Waters — Certificate III & IV: 14.5%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 10.2% / 9.3%
Broadbeach — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 10.2% Mermaid Waters — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.3%
Postgraduate Degree 5.4% / 4.5%
Broadbeach — Postgraduate Degree: 5.4% Mermaid Waters — Postgraduate Degree: 4.5%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.0% / 1.5%
Broadbeach — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.0% Mermaid Waters — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.5%

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

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 Mermaid Waters
New Zealand 5.7% / 5.8%
Broadbeach — New Zealand: 5.7% Mermaid Waters — New Zealand: 5.8%
England 4.6% / 4.7%
Broadbeach — England: 4.6% Mermaid Waters — England: 4.7%
Brazil 2.9% / 1.6%
Broadbeach — Brazil: 2.9% Mermaid Waters — Brazil: 1.6%
China 1.3% / 1.8%
Broadbeach — China: 1.3% Mermaid Waters — China: 1.8%
South Africa 1.1% / 0.8%
Broadbeach — South Africa: 1.1% Mermaid Waters — South Africa: 0.8%
Japan 1.0% / 0.9%
Broadbeach — Japan: 1.0% Mermaid Waters — Japan: 0.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (5.8%).

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%
Mermaid Waters 8.6% flats / apartments
Mermaid Waters — Flats / Apartments: 8.6% Mermaid Waters — Houses: 59.5% Mermaid Waters — Townhouses: 31.9%
Flats / Apartments Houses Townhouses

Property market

Broadbeach Mermaid Waters
Median house price $1,305,000 $2,200,000
Median unit price $1,090,000 $913,000
Median land price — $3,045,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 26 days
from 5 sales
 26 days
from 145 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 Mermaid Waters
2 bed $1.16M / $902K
Broadbeach — 2 bed: $1.16M (234 sales) Mermaid Waters — 2 bed: $902K (96 sales)

234 vs 96 sales

3 bed $2.19M / $1.01M
Broadbeach — 3 bed: $2.19M (58 sales) Mermaid Waters — 3 bed: $1.01M (19 sales)

58 vs 19 sales

Development activity

Broadbeach Mermaid 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 Mermaid Waters
Houses — 3.6%
$1,200/wk on $1.75M
Units 4.5%
$995/wk on $1.15M
 4.6%
$850/wk on $960K

Ranking within QLD

Broadbeach Mermaid Waters
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 44% of QLD Higher than 65% of QLD
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 96% of QLD Higher than 87% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 92% of QLD
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 84% of QLD Higher than 88% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) — Higher than 27% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 53% of QLD Higher than 56% of QLD

Liveability

Broadbeach is more walkable (81 vs 50); Mermaid Waters scores higher overall (67 vs 54).

Broadbeach Mermaid Waters
Grade B A
Score 54/100 67/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 7/10
 advantaged area
decile 8/10

Risk profile

Broadbeach carries more crime risk (93 vs 60).

Broadbeach Mermaid Waters
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
93/100
 Moderate
60/100
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 Mermaid Waters
Inside the suburb 1 2
Rated above peers 1 2
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, 3.6 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 1.9% 1.8%

Schools in Broadbeach

  • Broadbeach State School Government · Primary above peers

Schools in Mermaid Waters

  • Merrimac State High School Government · Secondary above peers
  • Miami State School Government · Primary above peers

Amenities in the suburb

Broadbeach Mermaid Waters
Supermarkets 1 4
Cafes & restaurants 73 2
Parks & reserves 12 68
Childcare 2 7
GPs 2 1
Pharmacies 5 1
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 0 4
Fuel stations 1
same for both
EV chargers 1 0
Waterways 2 3

Mobility

Broadbeach Mermaid Waters
Walkability score 81/100 50/100
Distance to Brisbane 83.2 km 82.9 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 68 min 67 min
Public transport score 80/100
Tram · Bus
 79/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 126.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 120.5
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 Mermaid Waters
Car (driver) 57.5% / 71.3%
Broadbeach — Car (driver): 57.5% Mermaid Waters — Car (driver): 71.3%
Worked from Home 19.5% / 18.0%
Broadbeach — Worked from Home: 19.5% Mermaid Waters — Worked from Home: 18.0%
Walked Only 10.9% / 2.1%
Broadbeach — Walked Only: 10.9% Mermaid Waters — Walked Only: 2.1%
Car (passenger) 3.7% / 4.8%
Broadbeach — Car (passenger): 3.7% Mermaid Waters — Car (passenger): 4.8%
Bus 2.5% / 1.3%
Broadbeach — Bus: 2.5% Mermaid Waters — Bus: 1.3%
Tram / Light Rail 3.1% / 0.4%
Broadbeach — Tram / Light Rail: 3.1% Mermaid Waters — Tram / Light Rail: 0.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (71.3%).

Setting

Broadbeach Mermaid Waters
Elevation 10 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 -14 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 451 m
662 m to a named beach
 1.8 km
1.8 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Broadbeach Mermaid Waters
Connectivity score 74/100 77/100
Most common technology Fibre to the building Hybrid fibre-coaxial
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 17%
7,947 premises
 8%
6,060 premises

Climate

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

Federal electorate

Broadbeach Mermaid 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 Mermaid 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

Mermaid Waters

Coastal Luxury Parks Regional Centre River Townhouses

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Broadbeach

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

Other comparisons with Mermaid Waters

Mermaid Waters vs Robina Mermaid Waters vs Burleigh Waters Mermaid Waters vs Broadbeach Waters Mermaid Waters vs Miami Mermaid Waters vs Mermaid Beach Mermaid Waters vs Clear Island Waters
Full data on Broadbeach Full data on Mermaid Waters
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

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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