Broadbeach Waters vs Mermaid Waters

Mermaid Waters is the younger of the two, with a median age of 40 against 43 in Broadbeach Waters. In both, most households own their home and most homes are detached houses. Houses cost more in Broadbeach Waters: a median of $2.59 million, against $2.2 million in Mermaid Waters, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Mermaid Waters tends to suit 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 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more parks and reserves (68 vs 19)
  • has more schools rated above their peers (2 vs 0)
  • has more childcare (7 vs 3)
  • But Broadbeach Waters has more separate houses rather than flats (78% vs 60%)

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

First-home buyers

They split

one each way, out of the 4 things we measure here

  • Broadbeach Waters has cheaper land ($2,550,000 vs $3,045,000)
  • Mermaid Waters has cheaper houses ($2,200,000 vs $2,591,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Mermaid Waters

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper rent ($450/wk vs $600/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Too close to call

Nothing among the 4 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

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

Downsizers and retirees

Mermaid Waters

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (40% vs 22%)
  • carries lower crime risk (60/100 vs 91/100)
  • But Broadbeach Waters has more GPs (3 vs 1)

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

Investors

Mermaid Waters

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (3.6% vs 2.9%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

Broadbeach Waters 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 Waters 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 Waters Mermaid Waters
Walkability 57 / 50
Broadbeach Waters — Walkability: 57/100 Mermaid Waters — Walkability: 50/100
Safety 9 / 40
Broadbeach Waters — Safety: 9/100 Mermaid Waters — Safety: 40/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Broadbeach Waters — Low fire risk: 100/100 Mermaid Waters — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Mermaid Waters has more residents (13,088 vs 8,164); Broadbeach Waters rents higher ($600/wk vs $450/wk).

Broadbeach Waters Mermaid Waters
Population 8,164 13,088
+60% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +4.9% +8.7%
Median age 43 40
Median household income $107,744/yr
+15% vs other
 $91,832/yr
Median weekly rent $600/wk
+25% vs other
 $450/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Broadbeach Waters Mermaid Waters
0-4 4.1% / 5.4%
Broadbeach Waters — 0-4: 4.1% Mermaid Waters — 0-4: 5.4%
5-14 11.1% / 11.9%
Broadbeach Waters — 5-14: 11.1% Mermaid Waters — 5-14: 11.9%
15-19 5.9% / 5.4%
Broadbeach Waters — 15-19: 5.9% Mermaid Waters — 15-19: 5.4%
20-24 6.1% / 5.3%
Broadbeach Waters — 20-24: 6.1% Mermaid Waters — 20-24: 5.3%
25-34 12.1% / 13.7%
Broadbeach Waters — 25-34: 12.1% Mermaid Waters — 25-34: 13.7%
35-44 12.7% / 14.2%
Broadbeach Waters — 35-44: 12.7% Mermaid Waters — 35-44: 14.2%
45-54 15.4% / 13.8%
Broadbeach Waters — 45-54: 15.4% Mermaid Waters — 45-54: 13.8%
55-64 13.2% / 11.2%
Broadbeach Waters — 55-64: 13.2% Mermaid Waters — 55-64: 11.2%
65-74 11.0% / 10.7%
Broadbeach Waters — 65-74: 11.0% Mermaid Waters — 65-74: 10.7%
75-84 5.9% / 6.2%
Broadbeach Waters — 75-84: 5.9% Mermaid Waters — 75-84: 6.2%
85+ 2.5% / 2.2%
Broadbeach Waters — 85+: 2.5% Mermaid Waters — 85+: 2.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.4%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Broadbeach Waters 44.3% couple families
Broadbeach Waters — Couple Families: 44.3% Broadbeach Waters — Lone Person: 30.6% Broadbeach Waters — One Parent Families: 13.3% Broadbeach Waters — Group Household: 9.8% Broadbeach Waters — Other Families: 2.0%
Mermaid Waters 40.0% couple families
Mermaid Waters — Couple Families: 40.0% Mermaid Waters — Lone Person: 33.3% Mermaid Waters — One Parent Families: 16.3% Mermaid Waters — Group Household: 8.6% Mermaid Waters — Other Families: 1.7%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Broadbeach Waters 23.2% renting
Broadbeach Waters — Owned Outright: 40.4% Broadbeach Waters — Mortgage: 36.5% Broadbeach Waters — Renting: 23.2%
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 Waters Mermaid Waters
Bachelor Degree 16.1% / 14.6%
Broadbeach Waters — Bachelor Degree: 16.1% Mermaid Waters — Bachelor Degree: 14.6%
Certificate III & IV 14.0% / 14.5%
Broadbeach Waters — Certificate III & IV: 14.0% Mermaid Waters — Certificate III & IV: 14.5%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 9.9% / 9.3%
Broadbeach Waters — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.9% Mermaid Waters — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.3%
Postgraduate Degree 4.4% / 4.5%
Broadbeach Waters — Postgraduate Degree: 4.4% Mermaid Waters — Postgraduate Degree: 4.5%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.7% / 1.5%
Broadbeach Waters — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.7% Mermaid Waters — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.1%).

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 Waters Mermaid Waters
New Zealand 6.3% / 5.8%
Broadbeach Waters — New Zealand: 6.3% Mermaid Waters — New Zealand: 5.8%
England 4.9% / 4.7%
Broadbeach Waters — England: 4.9% Mermaid Waters — England: 4.7%
China 1.7% / 1.8%
Broadbeach Waters — China: 1.7% Mermaid Waters — China: 1.8%
Brazil 1.3% / 1.6%
Broadbeach Waters — Brazil: 1.3% Mermaid Waters — Brazil: 1.6%
South Africa 1.2% / 0.8%
Broadbeach Waters — South Africa: 1.2% Mermaid Waters — South Africa: 0.8%
Japan 0.7% / 0.9%
Broadbeach Waters — Japan: 0.7% Mermaid Waters — Japan: 0.9%

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

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Broadbeach Waters 78.3% houses
Broadbeach Waters — Houses: 78.3% Broadbeach Waters — Townhouses: 6.4% Broadbeach Waters — Flats / Apartments: 15.2%
Mermaid Waters 59.5% houses
Mermaid Waters — Houses: 59.5% Mermaid Waters — Townhouses: 31.9% Mermaid Waters — Flats / Apartments: 8.6%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Broadbeach Waters Mermaid Waters
Median house price $2,591,000 $2,200,000
Median unit price $920,000 $913,000
Median land price $2,550,000 $3,045,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 30 days
from 150 sales
 26 days
from 145 sales

House price by bedroom count

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

Broadbeach Waters Mermaid Waters
3 bed $1.95M / $1.8M
Broadbeach Waters — 3 bed: $1.95M (45 sales) Mermaid Waters — 3 bed: $1.8M (59 sales)

45 vs 59 sales

4 bed $2.49M / $2.38M
Broadbeach Waters — 4 bed: $2.49M (108 sales) Mermaid Waters — 4 bed: $2.38M (104 sales)

108 vs 104 sales

5 bed $3.71M / $2.65M
Broadbeach Waters — 5 bed: $3.71M (44 sales) Mermaid Waters — 5 bed: $2.65M (30 sales)

44 vs 30 sales

6 bed $4.38M / $3.17M
Broadbeach Waters — 6 bed: $4.38M (10 sales) Mermaid Waters — 6 bed: $3.17M (5 sales)

10 vs 5 sales

Development activity

Broadbeach Waters 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 Waters Mermaid Waters
Houses 2.9%
$1,515/wk on $2.75M
 3.6%
$1,200/wk on $1.75M
Units 4.8%
$800/wk on $870K
 4.6%
$850/wk on $960K

Ranking within QLD

Broadbeach Waters Mermaid Waters
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 80% of QLD Higher than 65% of QLD
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 89% 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 9% of QLD Higher than 27% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 65% of QLD Higher than 56% of QLD

Liveability

Mermaid Waters scores higher overall (67 vs 58).

Broadbeach Waters Mermaid Waters
Grade B A
Score 58/100 67/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
 advantaged area
decile 8/10

Risk profile

Broadbeach Waters carries more crime risk (91 vs 60).

Broadbeach Waters Mermaid Waters
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
91/100
 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 1
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Broadbeach Waters Mermaid Waters
Inside the suburb 0 2
Rated above peers 0 2
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 2
Gold Coast campus, 5.3 km
 2
Gold Coast campus, 3.6 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 2.4% 1.8%

Schools in Broadbeach Waters

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

Schools in Mermaid Waters

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

Amenities in the suburb

Broadbeach Waters Mermaid Waters
Supermarkets 2 4
Cafes & restaurants 5 2
Parks & reserves 19 68
Childcare 3 7
GPs 3 1
Pharmacies 4 1
Banks & Bank@Post 6 4
Fuel stations 1
same for both
EV chargers 2 0
Waterways 1 3

Mobility

Broadbeach Waters Mermaid Waters
Walkability score 57/100 50/100
Distance to Brisbane 82.4 km 82.9 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 66 min 67 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 126.2
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 Waters Mermaid Waters
Car (driver) 67.9% / 71.3%
Broadbeach Waters — Car (driver): 67.9% Mermaid Waters — Car (driver): 71.3%
Worked from Home 21.2% / 18.0%
Broadbeach Waters — Worked from Home: 21.2% Mermaid Waters — Worked from Home: 18.0%
Car (passenger) 4.3% / 4.8%
Broadbeach Waters — Car (passenger): 4.3% Mermaid Waters — Car (passenger): 4.8%
Walked Only 2.5% / 2.1%
Broadbeach Waters — Walked Only: 2.5% Mermaid Waters — Walked Only: 2.1%
Bicycle 1.5% / 1.3%
Broadbeach Waters — Bicycle: 1.5% Mermaid Waters — Bicycle: 1.3%
Bus 1.3% / 1.3%
Broadbeach Waters — Bus: 1.3% Mermaid Waters — Bus: 1.3%

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

Setting

Broadbeach Waters Mermaid Waters
Elevation 3 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 -14 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 2.0 km
2.0 km to a named beach
 1.8 km
1.8 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Broadbeach Waters Mermaid Waters
Connectivity score 74/100 77/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 2%
4,320 premises
 8%
6,060 premises

Climate

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

Federal electorate

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

Tags

Broadbeach Waters

Coastal Luxury Parks Quiet Regional Centre

Mermaid Waters

Coastal Luxury Parks Regional Centre River Townhouses

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Broadbeach Waters

Broadbeach Waters vs Surfers Paradise Broadbeach Waters vs Carrara Broadbeach Waters vs Benowa Broadbeach Waters vs Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters vs Bundall Broadbeach Waters vs Clear Island Waters

Other comparisons with Mermaid Waters

Mermaid Waters vs Robina Mermaid Waters vs Burleigh Waters Mermaid Waters vs Miami Mermaid Waters vs Mermaid Beach Mermaid Waters vs Broadbeach Mermaid Waters vs Clear Island Waters
Full data on Broadbeach Waters Full data on Mermaid 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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