Guide
Best suburbs to invest in the Gold Coast: 5 affordable picks for 2026
Five suburbs in the Gold Coast where a typical house costs less than the local median of $1,380,000 and the rent gives one of the higher yields in the area. A shortlist to research, not a list to buy from.
By Mossy Taheri, licensed buyer’s agent · Updated
The short answer
Five affordable suburbs to research in the Gold Coast: Merrimac, Labrador, Ormeau Hills, Coombabah, Molendinar. Each has a typical house price under $1,380,000. Labrador has had the strongest growth, about 12.9% a year over five years, and Merrimac has the highest gross yield, about 3.6%.
The five suburbs at a glance
Houses, all bedroom sizes, to 31 October 2026. Growth figures are average yearly changes.
| Suburb | Typical house price | Weekly rent | Gross yield | Price growth (5 yrs, a year) | Rent growth (3 yrs, a year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrimac central Gold Coast | $1,270,003 | $879 | 3.6% | 9.7% | 4.4% |
| Labrador northern Gold Coast | $1,266,591 | $865 | 3.6% | 12.9% | 6.4% |
| Ormeau Hills northern growth corridor | $1,191,100 | $785 | 3.4% | 11.4% | 6.9% |
| Coombabah northern Gold Coast | $1,239,925 | $789 | 3.3% | 12.2% | 5.8% |
| Molendinar central Gold Coast | $1,343,826 | $836 | 3.2% | 11.0% | 6.3% |
Each suburb in brief
1. Merrimac, central Gold Coast
Between Robina and Carrara, with the highest yield on this list. Low-lying parts of Merrimac sit on the Nerang River floodplain, so check the council's flood overlay for the street.
Typical house price $1,270,003, rent about $879 a week (a gross yield of 3.6%). Prices grew about 9.7% a year over five years and 9.2% a year over ten; rents grew about 4.4% a year over three years.
2. Labrador, northern Gold Coast
On the Broadwater just north of Southport's centre, with house prices up about 13% a year over five years.
Typical house price $1,266,591, rent about $865 a week (a gross yield of 3.6%). Prices grew about 12.9% a year over five years and 10.1% a year over ten; rents grew about 6.4% a year over three years.
3. Ormeau Hills, northern growth corridor
A newer hillside estate area near the M1, between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with the strongest 10-year growth on this list. New estates nearby keep adding supply.
Typical house price $1,191,100, rent about $785 a week (a gross yield of 3.4%). Prices grew about 11.4% a year over five years and 11.6% a year over ten; rents grew about 6.9% a year over three years.
4. Coombabah, northern Gold Coast
An established suburb north of Southport beside the Coombabah Lakelands conservation area, with strong 5-year growth.
Typical house price $1,239,925, rent about $789 a week (a gross yield of 3.3%). Prices grew about 12.2% a year over five years and 9.4% a year over ten; rents grew about 5.8% a year over three years.
5. Molendinar, central Gold Coast
A mix of homes and light industry west of Southport, close to jobs and the M1, with steady long-run growth.
Typical house price $1,343,826, rent about $836 a week (a gross yield of 3.2%). Prices grew about 11.0% a year over five years and 9.2% a year over ten; rents grew about 6.3% a year over three years.
How we chose them
- Affordable: a typical house price below the median for the Gold Coast, $1,380,000 (REIQ, median house sale price, March quarter 2026).
- Reliable: only suburbs with enough sales and rentals to give dependable figures.
- Ranked on gross rental yield, then checked for price and rent growth so a high yield isn't simply a sign of falling values. 11 suburbs passed the first filters.
- Covers the Gold Coast itself. Smaller towns elsewhere in the state are on the regional list.
This is a shortlist for research, not a recommendation to buy in any of these suburbs. Past growth doesn’t predict future growth, and figures for a whole suburb hide big differences between streets and properties. General information only, not personal financial advice.
Before you buy in any of them
- Check the council's flood, bushfire and planning overlays for the street, not just the suburb.
- Look at the vacancy rate and how many rentals are listed, so you know tenants are there.
- Find out what's being built nearby: new estates and apartment blocks add supply and can slow growth.
- Get a building and pest inspection; many affordable suburbs have older homes.
- Run the numbers on the property itself, including interest, rates, insurance and management.
Our rental yield calculator and cash flow calculator help with the last step. For buying costs, see stamp duty.
- Gold Coast market guide 2026
- Buyers agent Gold Coast
- Best suburbs to invest in regional Queensland
- Best suburbs to invest in Australia: every list
- All locations
Cite this page: Rising Returns, “Best Suburbs to Invest in Gold Coast 2026: Top 5”, data to 31 October 2026, https://risingreturns.com.au/best-suburbs-to-invest-gold-coast/
Thinking of buying in the Gold Coast?
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Book a free discovery callInvesting in the Gold Coast: common questions
What are the best affordable suburbs to invest in the Gold Coast?
On our analysis of suburb data to 31 October 2026, our five picks are Merrimac, Labrador, Ormeau Hills, Coombabah and Molendinar. Each has a typical house price below $1,380,000, enough sales to give reliable figures, and one of the higher rental yields in the area. They are a starting point for research, not a recommendation to buy in any of them.
What does affordable mean on this list?
A typical house price below the median for the Gold Coast, $1,380,000 (REIQ, median house sale price, March quarter 2026). It is relative: an affordable suburb in Sydney still costs more than most regional towns.
Does past growth mean these suburbs will keep growing?
No. Growth figures show what has happened, not what will. Strong recent growth can mean a suburb has already had its run. Look at supply, jobs, infrastructure and vacancy rates as well, and check the individual property and street.
Why does the list only cover houses?
Houses usually hold more land value, which tends to drive long-term growth, and house data is more consistent between suburbs. Units and townhouses can suit some budgets and goals, but they need a separate comparison.
General information only. It doesn’t consider your personal circumstances and isn’t financial, tax, credit or legal advice. Speak to a licensed professional before you act.