Helensvale vs Coombabah

Helensvale is the younger of the two, with a median age of 41 against 51 in Coombabah. In both, most households own their home. In Helensvale, the large majority of homes are detached houses and most households are couple families. In Coombabah, about half of households are people living alone. Houses cost more in Helensvale: a median of $1.36 million, against $1 million in Coombabah, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Helensvale tends to suit families with children and couples, while Coombabah suits people living alone, older residents, 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

Helensvale

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more parks and reserves (66 vs 15)
  • has more childcare (9 vs 4)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (81% vs 49%)
  • But Coombabah carries lower crime risk (40/100 vs 75/100)

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

  • Helensvale leaves households under less mortgage stress (24% vs 35%)
  • Coombabah has cheaper houses ($1,000,000 vs $1,359,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

They split

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

  • Helensvale leaves renters under less rental stress (25% vs 38%)
  • Coombabah has cheaper rent ($415/wk vs $495/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Helensvale

ahead on 3 of the 4 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (47/100 vs 10/100)
  • has a shorter drive in (53 min vs 60 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (65.9 km vs 68.5 km)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Coombabah

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (51% vs 19%)
  • has more residents already 65 and over (33% vs 17%)
  • carries lower crime risk (40/100 vs 75/100)
  • But Helensvale is more walkable (47/100 vs 10/100)

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

Investors

Helensvale

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (12.4% vs -0.9%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Helensvale Coombabah
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.

Helensvale Coombabah
Walkability 47 / 10
Helensvale — Walkability: 47/100 Coombabah — Walkability: 10/100
Safety 25 / 60
Helensvale — Safety: 25/100 Coombabah — Safety: 60/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Helensvale — Low fire risk: 100/100 Coombabah — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Helensvale has higher household incomes ($104,728 vs $56,784); Helensvale has more residents (18,949 vs 10,298).

Helensvale Coombabah
Population 18,949
+46% vs other
 10,298
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +12.4% -0.9%
Median age 41 51
Median household income $104,728/yr
+46% vs other
 $56,784/yr
Median weekly rent $495/wk
+16% vs other
 $415/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Helensvale Coombabah
0-4 5.2% / 3.8%
Helensvale — 0-4: 5.2% Coombabah — 0-4: 3.8%
5-14 13.0% / 10.0%
Helensvale — 5-14: 13.0% Coombabah — 5-14: 10.0%
15-19 7.3% / 4.1%
Helensvale — 15-19: 7.3% Coombabah — 15-19: 4.1%
20-24 5.9% / 4.0%
Helensvale — 20-24: 5.9% Coombabah — 20-24: 4.0%
25-34 10.6% / 9.7%
Helensvale — 25-34: 10.6% Coombabah — 25-34: 9.7%
35-44 13.0% / 11.0%
Helensvale — 35-44: 13.0% Coombabah — 35-44: 11.0%
45-54 15.4% / 11.4%
Helensvale — 45-54: 15.4% Coombabah — 45-54: 11.4%
55-64 12.4% / 12.7%
Helensvale — 55-64: 12.4% Coombabah — 55-64: 12.7%
65-74 9.4% / 16.5%
Helensvale — 65-74: 9.4% Coombabah — 65-74: 16.5%
75-84 5.5% / 12.6%
Helensvale — 75-84: 5.5% Coombabah — 75-84: 12.6%
85+ 2.3% / 4.3%
Helensvale — 85+: 2.3% Coombabah — 85+: 4.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.5%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Helensvale 55.4% couple families
Helensvale — Couple Families: 55.4% Helensvale — Lone Person: 23.0% Helensvale — One Parent Families: 16.5% Helensvale — Group Household: 3.7% Helensvale — Other Families: 1.5%
Coombabah 26.1% couple families
Coombabah — Couple Families: 26.1% Coombabah — Lone Person: 49.3% Coombabah — One Parent Families: 17.8% Coombabah — Group Household: 5.4% Coombabah — Other Families: 1.4%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Helensvale 19.8% renting
Helensvale — Owned Outright: 32.3% Helensvale — Mortgage: 48.0% Helensvale — Renting: 19.8%
Coombabah 28.9% renting
Coombabah — Owned Outright: 43.0% Coombabah — Mortgage: 28.1% Coombabah — Renting: 28.9%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Helensvale Coombabah
Certificate III & IV 16.0% / 17.4%
Helensvale — Certificate III & IV: 16.0% Coombabah — Certificate III & IV: 17.4%
Bachelor Degree 11.9% / 7.9%
Helensvale — Bachelor Degree: 11.9% Coombabah — Bachelor Degree: 7.9%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 9.6% / 9.0%
Helensvale — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.6% Coombabah — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.0%
Postgraduate Degree 3.8% / 2.3%
Helensvale — Postgraduate Degree: 3.8% Coombabah — Postgraduate Degree: 2.3%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.5% / 1.4%
Helensvale — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.5% Coombabah — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (17.4%).

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.

Helensvale Coombabah
New Zealand 7.7% / 9.1%
Helensvale — New Zealand: 7.7% Coombabah — New Zealand: 9.1%
England 7.7% / 7.3%
Helensvale — England: 7.7% Coombabah — England: 7.3%
China 2.3% / 1.1%
Helensvale — China: 2.3% Coombabah — China: 1.1%
South Africa 1.7% / 1.2%
Helensvale — South Africa: 1.7% Coombabah — South Africa: 1.2%
Philippines 0.7% / 1.2%
Helensvale — Philippines: 0.7% Coombabah — Philippines: 1.2%
Scotland 0.6% / 1.1%
Helensvale — Scotland: 0.6% Coombabah — Scotland: 1.1%
India 0.9% / 0.5%
Helensvale — India: 0.9% Coombabah — India: 0.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (9.1%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Helensvale 81.3% houses
Helensvale — Houses: 81.3% Helensvale — Townhouses: 14.4% Helensvale — Flats / Apartments: 4.3%
Coombabah 49.3% houses
Coombabah — Houses: 49.3% Coombabah — Townhouses: 41.6% Coombabah — Flats / Apartments: 9.1%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Helensvale Coombabah
Median house price $1,359,000 $1,000,000
Median unit price $759,500 $700,000
Median land price $1,600,000 —
Typical days to sell (houses) 32 days
from 212 sales
 34 days
from 91 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.

Helensvale Coombabah
2 bed $735K / $635K
Helensvale — 2 bed: $735K (24 sales) Coombabah — 2 bed: $635K (20 sales)

24 vs 20 sales

3 bed $780K / $765K
Helensvale — 3 bed: $780K (7 sales) Coombabah — 3 bed: $765K (17 sales)

7 vs 17 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.

Helensvale Coombabah
3 bed $1.03M / $1M
Helensvale — 3 bed: $1.03M (67 sales) Coombabah — 3 bed: $1M (111 sales)

67 vs 111 sales

4 bed $1.4M / $1.24M
Helensvale — 4 bed: $1.4M (169 sales) Coombabah — 4 bed: $1.24M (50 sales)

169 vs 50 sales

5 bed $1.95M / $1.08M
Helensvale — 5 bed: $1.95M (65 sales) Coombabah — 5 bed: $1.08M (5 sales)

65 vs 5 sales

Development activity

Helensvale Coombabah
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.

Helensvale Coombabah
Houses 5.0%
$1,200/wk on $1.25M
 5.2%
$850/wk on $854K
Units 5.5%
$850/wk on $797K
 —

Ranking within QLD

Helensvale Coombabah
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 77% of QLD Higher than 19% of QLD
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 86% of QLD Higher than 71% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 97% of QLD Higher than 89% of QLD
NBN connectivity Higher than 82% of QLD Higher than 92% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 91% of QLD Higher than 93% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 81% of QLD —

Liveability

Helensvale is more walkable (47 vs 10); Helensvale scores higher overall (60 vs 53).

Helensvale Coombabah
Grade B
same for both
Score 60/100 53/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 8/10
 below-average income
decile 3/10

Risk profile

Helensvale carries more crime risk (75 vs 40).

Helensvale Coombabah
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
75/100
 Moderate
40/100
Flood —
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 5
within 5 km
 4
within 5 km

Schools

Helensvale Coombabah
Inside the suburb 2
same for both
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 2
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km None 1
Gold Coast, 7.7 km

Schools in Helensvale

  • Helensvale State High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • Helensvale State School Government · Primary at peers

Schools in Coombabah

  • Coombabah State High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • Coombabah State School Government · Primary at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Helensvale Coombabah
Supermarkets 6 0
Cafes & restaurants 8 0
Parks & reserves 66 15
Childcare 9 4
GPs 8 3
Pharmacies 4 1
Banks & Bank@Post 12 0
Fuel stations 4 0
EV chargers 1 0
Waterways 2 4

Mobility

Coombabah sits further from the CBD (68.5 km vs 65.9 km).

Helensvale Coombabah
Walkability score 47/100 10/100
Distance to Brisbane 65.9 km 68.5 km
+4% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 53 min 60 min
Public transport score 79/100
Rail · Tram · Bus
 79/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 148.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 126.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 2.6%
postcode 4212
 1.4%
postcode 4216
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 73
postcode 4212
 44
postcode 4216

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.

Helensvale Coombabah
Car (driver) 73.8% / 78.7%
Helensvale — Car (driver): 73.8% Coombabah — Car (driver): 78.7%
Worked from Home 17.5% / 12.1%
Helensvale — Worked from Home: 17.5% Coombabah — Worked from Home: 12.1%
Car (passenger) 4.6% / 5.1%
Helensvale — Car (passenger): 4.6% Coombabah — Car (passenger): 5.1%
Train 1.5% / 0.9%
Helensvale — Train: 1.5% Coombabah — Train: 0.9%
Walked Only 1.0% / 1.4%
Helensvale — Walked Only: 1.0% Coombabah — Walked Only: 1.4%
Bus 0.5% / 1.3%
Helensvale — Bus: 0.5% Coombabah — Bus: 1.3%
Tram / Light Rail 1.0% / 0.1%
Helensvale — Tram / Light Rail: 1.0% Coombabah — Tram / Light Rail: 0.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (78.7%).

Setting

Helensvale Coombabah
Elevation 13 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 2 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 5.9 km 3.4 km

NBN connectivity

Helensvale Coombabah
Connectivity score 73/100 81/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 22%
8,208 premises
 23%
5,177 premises

Climate

Helensvale Coombabah
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)

Helensvale Coombabah
PM2.5 5.0 µg/m³ 5.4 µg/m³
PM10 14.5 µg/m³ 19.3 µg/m³
NO₂ 0.42 pphm 0.91 pphm

Council rates

Helensvale Coombabah
Average residential rate $1,298/yr
same for both
Council Gold Coast
same for both

Federal electorate

Helensvale Coombabah
Division Fadden
same for both
Member Cameron Caldwell
same for both
Party Liberal National Party of Queensland
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Helensvale Coombabah
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Helensvale

Parks Regional Centre Trams

Coombabah

Regional Centre Retirees Townhouses

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Helensvale

Helensvale vs Upper Coomera Helensvale vs Coomera Helensvale vs Hope Island Helensvale vs Oxenford Helensvale vs Arundel Helensvale vs Paradise Point

Other comparisons with Coombabah

Coombabah vs Arundel Coombabah vs Biggera Waters Coombabah vs Runaway Bay Coombabah vs Paradise Point Coombabah vs Hollywell
Full data on Helensvale Full data on Coombabah
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.

Save this page for later

We'll email you a link to this page so you can finish reading it on any device. We use your address once to send it and don't keep it.

or