Australia's fastest-growing coastal city, just 1 hour from Brisbane.
The Gold Coast sits perfectly on Queensland's southeast coastline — close enough to Brisbane for major-city access, yet distant enough to offer genuine affordability, open space, and an unmatched coastal lifestyle. With a median house price of approximately $930,000, the Gold Coast provides excellent value compared to Brisbane's rising property market, while still delivering all the benefits of a major metropolitan centre.
Where work-life balance actually exists
The Gold Coast isn't just Australia's premier lifestyle destination — it has evolved into one of the country's most dynamic coastal cities. Picture morning coffee overlooking Burleigh Beach, afternoon meetings in Southport's business precinct, and evening walks along the World-class coastline stretching from Main Beach to Coolangatta.
The city offers something increasingly rare: genuine urban sophistication without capital-city stress. With unemployment sitting around 3.4% and employment growing steadily across healthcare, construction, education, tourism, and tech, the Gold Coast combines strong career pathways with beachside living in a way larger cities simply can't match.
Smart financial living
Your income stretches significantly further here. With median weekly rents around $750 for houses and living costs roughly 15–20% lower than Sydney, the Gold Coast offers the financial breathing room that's disappearing in larger metropolitan centres. A professional earning $80,000 on the Gold Coast enjoys a lifestyle equivalent to someone earning well over $110,000 in Sydney — without gridlock traffic, lengthy commutes, or premium-priced housing.
The Gold Coast advantage
This isn't about trading sophistication for affordability. The Gold Coast offers award-winning restaurants, rooftop venues, architect-designed cultural centres, and a thriving arts and events scene — all set against pristine beaches and subtropical hinterland. The city has mastered something special: metropolitan-grade amenities with community warmth, where your barista knows your name and business chats naturally blend into beachside walks or sunset catch-ups.
Coastal professional living
Gold Coast professionals don't just live near the beach — they integrate coastal living into their routine. Lunchtime swims at Tallebudgera Creek, after-work surf sessions, sunrise yoga on the sand, and weekend hinterland hikes are part of everyday life. The business community recognises that wellness drives productivity, shaping a work culture that supports both career progress and meaningful downtime.
Lifestyle essentials
The Gold Coast rental market offers houses at a median of $750 per week and units around $650 per week, with vacancy rates near 1% reflecting steady demand and stability. For buyers, houses average around $930,000 with 4% annual growth, while units range between $650,000–$720,000 depending on suburb and proximity to the beach. For current listings, visit Domain↗ or Realstate.com.au↗.
Education excellence
The Gold Coast offers a wide range of educational opportunities for children, from early childhood education to primary and secondary schooling, along with options for tertiary education. Whether you're looking for public schools, private institutions, or specialised services for young children, the Gold Coast has something for every family. For more on education in QLD, see the Queensland Department of Education page.↗
The Gold Coast has a vibrant early childhood education sector, offering a variety of services for young children, including long daycare centres, preschools, and community-run programs. These services focus on play-based learning, with qualified educators and a focus on early development and wellbeing. Many centres also provide extended hours to cater to the needs of working families, making it easier to balance career and family life.
