M:
Research
Spring/26 Gold Coast New Apartments
Headlines Gold Coast LGA new apartment pipeline to 2029 is 39% higher than the 5-year average. There are 2,757 new apartments due for completion in 2026.
The number of residential rental homes in the Gold Coast LGA is currently undersupplied. Gold Coast LGA rental vacancy was recorded at 1.5% at the end of Q2/26.
New apartment prices were 13.9% higher in Gold Coast LGA over the past year to Q2/26, at an indicative $16,400/sqm, with 0.6% growth in the last quarter.
Residential rents in the Gold Coast LGA saw 11.9% price growth on last year, with Regional Queensland rents forecast at 6% at the end of 2026.
Gold Coast LGA residential property prices have recorded 12.6% annual growth, with 8% forecast for 2026 across Regional Queensland.
The construction delivery of new homes in Queensland was 1.9% below a year ago, whilst the cost to build on the Gold Coast escalated 5.8%.
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Economy Key drivers
Interest rate
Spring/26
4.60%
Interest rates were last set at 4.60% after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) lifted the cash rate target by 25 bps in September 2026. At this time, most lenders adjusted their mortgage lending rates for homeowners and investors accordingly. By setting borrowing costs, interest rates strongly influence both housing affordability and demand for home loans. Westpac forecasts the cash rate target to be 4.60% at the end of 2026 whilst 4.10% in 2027, with inflation, energy costs and the global economy being closely monitored as a leading indicators for any possible adjustments during this time.
Population growth
3.8%
Unemployment
Regional Queensland's unemployment rate of 3.8% at the end of Q2/26, was tracking lower than the Australia average at 4.3%. Looking back, the five year average unemployment rate has been 3.9% across Australia. Employment conditions shape the ability for a household to enter the housing market and service mortgages over time, with a healthy labour market typically below 5%. With economic headwinds and technological disruption to a growing number of industries on the horizon, the RBA forecasts unemployment to soften to 4.7% by the end of 2027.
+1.4%
+5.8%
New build costs
Population growth has ramped up housing demand, placing pressure on existing housing supply and infrastructure. Regional Queensland's total population growth was 1.4% in 2025. This came after the population grew 1.8% in 2024, after growth of 1.5% in 2022. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have projected the long-term population growth for Regional Queensland at 1.2% per annum.
The construction delivery of new homes in Queensland was 1.9% below the last reported year, whilst residential building approvals trended 26.5% higher. The cost to build on the Gold Coast escalated 5.8% in 2025 according to WT, which was below the 6.9% five year average. Considering the economic outlook, WT forecasts building escalation on the Gold Coast to lift by 5.5% in 2026 and rise 7.0% in 2027.
Economic outlook, Q2/26
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026F
2027F
Interest rate target
0.10%
3.10%
4.35%
4.35%
3.60%
4.60%
4.10%
Economic growth in Australia
4.9%
3.3%
1.3%
1.2%
2.6%
1.5%
1.7%
Unemployment rate in Australia
4.0%
3.3%
3.8%
3.8%
3.9%
4.7%
4.7%
Population growth in Regional Queensland
1.5%
2.2%
1.8%
1.4%
1.2%
1.2%
1.2%
Building cost escalation on the Gold Coast
.
.
8.5%
7.5%
5.8%
5.5%
6.3%
Source: McGrath Research, RBA, WT, ABS, Westpac
2
New apartment pipeline Update
Active pipeline
Spring/26
+39%
Total number of new apartments Gold Coast LGA, built or due to be completed
The Gold Coast LGA annual average pipeline for new buildto-sell apartments due for completion between 2026 and 2029 is trending 39% higher than the 5-year average, according to McGrath Research. The pipeline has been based on the average time taken for the marketing and construction of development approved projects with 6+ apartments and 3+ storeys in height. Gold Coast LGA is projected to deliver 14,581 new apartments by the end of 2029, averaging 3,645 apartment completions per year. In 2026, there are 2,757 apartments expected to be completed. Between 2021 and 2025, a total of 10,473 apartments were built, with an average 2,095 per year.
Source: McGrath Research
Apartment configurations
53%
New apartments bedroom mix Gold Coast LGA, built or due to be completed
When exploring the configurations of the Gold Coast LGA active new build apartment pipeline due for completion between 2026 and 2029, 53% are proposed to be 2-bedroom apartments, 11% having 1-bedroom, zero being studios, whilst 32% are allocated as 3-bedrooms and 4.5% with 4-bedrooms or more, according to McGrath Research. By comparison over the past five years, the split of apartments built were reported to be 45% as 2-bedrooms, 12% had 1-bedroom, 1.6% were a studio, whilst 37% had 3-bedrooms and 4.1% recorded 4-bedrooms or more.
Source: McGrath Research
Gold Coast, Q2/26
New apartments
New apartments built 2021-2025, annual average
2,095
New apartments built 2026-2029, annual average
3,645
Share of 2-bedroom apartments, due 2026-2029
53% Source: McGrath Research
3
New apartment prices Update
Spring/26
+13.9%
New apartment prices
Tracking new apartment average prices Gold Coast LGA, per square metre
Apartment prices in new projects with 6+ apartments and 3+ storeys within the Gold Coast LGA were 13.9% higher over the past year to Q2/26, with 0.6% growth taking place in the last quarter, according to McGrath Research. Over the past five years, total price growth for new apartments was 92.9% higher, with an annual average change of 14.2%.
Source: McGrath Research
Average Price per square metre
$16,400
Range in new apartment average prices Gold Coast LGA, per square metre
Average prices for new apartments has shifted higher over recent years within the Gold Coast LGA, according to McGrath Research. In Q2/26, new apartments ranged in average price from $9,500 to $22,000/sqm, with an indicative of $16,400/sqm. Looking back to Q2/22, the Gold Coast LGA recorded an indicative of $9,000/sqm for a new apartment, with the average trending between $4,500 and $14,000/sqm.
Source: McGrath Research
Gold Coast, Q2/26
New apartments
New build apartment average price/sqm
$16,400
Change from a quarter ago
0.6%
Change from a year ago
13.9% Source: McGrath Research
4
Established residential prices Update
Average price
Spring/26
$1,353,100
Tracking average prices Gold Coast LGA
Gold Coast LGA residential property prices have trended higher than a year ago. Prices across Gold Coast LGA rose by 12.6% in the year ending Q2/26, with a 1.6% increase recorded in the most recent quarter. As a result, the average residential value reached $1,353,100. Residential values shift with changes in interest rates, supply and demand, economic conditions, population trends and local infrastructure which influences market appeal and buyer capacity. Annual residential price growth has averaged 14.3% over the past five years.
Source: McGrath Research
Price outlook
+8%
Forecast for residential prices Regional Queensland
Looking ahead, Regional Queensland residential prices are likely to rise over the coming year. McGrath Research forecast Regional Queensland residential property prices to increase by 8% at the end of 2026, followed by a further 4% rise in 2027. Residential price forecasts consider borrowing capacity, the balance of supply and demand, economic conditions, population trends and local infrastructure which shapes affordability, demand and market direction.
Source: McGrath Research
Gold Coast, Q2/26
Houses
Apartments
Residential
$1,660,600
$984,400
$1,353,100
Change from a quarter ago
1.2%
2.2%
1.6%
Change from a year ago
13.0%
14.9%
12.6%
Average price
Source: McGrath Research
5
Residential rents Update
Vacancy
Spring/26
1.5%
Residential rental vacancy Gold Coast LGA
The number of residential rental homes in the Gold Coast LGA is currently undersupplied. Gold Coast LGA rental vacancy was recorded at 1.5% at the end of Q2/26, rising 40 bps in the quarter whilst rising 20 bps over the past year according to REIQ. Generally, around 3% vacancy is considered a balanced market between rental supply and demand. Below this equilibrium is considered to be an undersupplied pool of rental homes, which places upward pressure on weekly rents. For the past five years, Gold Coast LGA residential rental vacancy has averaged 1.0%.
Source: McGrath Research, REIQ
Yield
-13 bps
Gross rental yield Gold Coast LGA
Gold Coast LGA gross rental yields have trended lower over the past year. Residential yields fell 3 bps in the Q2/26 quarter to be 4.00% across Gold Coast LGA, whilst 13 bps lower compared to a year ago. A yield pushing beyond 4% is more desirable for investment properties located in capital cities, while below this, tends to show higher property values relative to rental income. Gold Coast LGA gross rental yields have averaged 4.25% over the past five years.
Source: McGrath Research
Gold Coast, Q2/26
Houses
Apartments
Residential
Gross rental yield
3.72%
4.34%
4.00%
Change from a quarter ago
+0 bps
-7 bps
-3 bps
Change from a year ago
+3 bps
-35 bps
-13 bps Source: McGrath Research
6
Residential rents Update
Average weekly rent
Spring/26
$940
Tracking average weekly rents Gold Coast LGA
Residential rents across Gold Coast LGA trended above the weekly rate recorded a year ago. Gold Coast LGA rents rose 1.6% in Q2/26, whilst increasing 11.9% over the past year, to stand at an average $940 per week. Rent changes are driven by rental supply, tenant demand, migration trends, economic conditions and investor activity which together impact the vacancy rate. For the past five years, Gold Coast LGA rents grew an average 11.1% per annum.
Source: McGrath Research
Rental outlook
+6%
Forecast for residential rents Regional Queensland
The Regional Queensland residential market is continuing to experience upward pressure on weekly rents. McGrath Research forecast Regional Queensland rents to rise 6% at the end of 2026, with a further 6% rise likely in 2027. The rental forecast takes into consideration new and existing supply levels, population changes, economic conditions and upgraded local infrastructure which can influence future tenant demand, vacancy rates and rental growth.
Source: McGrath Research
Gold Coast, Q2/26
Houses
Apartments
Residential
Average weekly rent
$1,065
$790
$940
Change from a quarter ago
1.4%
1.9%
1.6%
Change from a year ago
16.4%
6.0%
11.9% Source: McGrath Research
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Definitions
Gold Coast Gold Coast refers to the Gold Coast Local Government Area (LGA) which is a defined geographic region administered by a local council responsible for community services, planning, and local regulations. New apartments New apartments are defined as being within a 3+ storey building and with 6+ apartments as defined by McGrath Research.
Guiding you home
Michelle Ciesielski National Head of Research, McGrath Research www.mcgrath.com.au/research
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