Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise sits on a long sandy shore and is centred on a bustling esplanade edged by high-rise apartments and landmark buildings such as the Q1. Cavill Avenue is the compact retail and entertainment spine with cafés, restaurants, bars and the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets. Days are dominated by surf culture, beach promenades and lifeguard patrols, while nights bring a lively hospitality scene. Housing is mainly apartments, from beachfront towers to lower-rise blocks inland, and public transport via the coastal light rail and the Gold Coast Highway keeps the area well connected.

About 26,412 people live in Surfers Paradise; the median age is 42 and the typical household income is $1,323 a week. The community is weighted towards couple households, most without children, and renting is the most common tenure. The City of Gold Coast’s Surfers Paradise Revitalisation is proposing upgrades to Cavill Mall, Cavill Avenue and the central esplanade to add public open space, a beachside amphitheatre, more shade and a reimagined Oceanway, while coastal management works such as sand-pumping and a sand backpass system support ongoing beach nourishment.

On the figures for Surfers Paradise 4217, a typical local household earned $1,323 a week at the last Census. Average house rent of $1,040 a week would take about 78.6% of that weekly income, and unit rent of $770 a week would take about 58.2%.

Buying is particularly stretched against those incomes: the median house price of $2,492,500 is about 36.2 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census, while the median unit price of $783,000 is about 11.4 times. Both renting and buying sit well above what households in the suburb recorded at the last Census, so whether that feels expensive depends on your own income and circumstances.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

The past year shows a clear split between capital growth and rental income in Surfers Paradise. House values climbed 19.6% over the 12 months, a strong rise, while the rent those houses earn rose 4.0%, a modest increase. Unit values increased 7.8%, a solid gain, and unit rents jumped 10.0%, a strong rise.

For someone weighing Surfers Paradise up as an investment, the figures point to houses delivering the biggest capital growth this year and units providing the larger boost to rental income. Which of those matters more will depend on your personal goals and what you want from an investment.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.