The Gold Coast is projected to record the fastest economic growth in Australia over the next four years, with new research pointing to strong migration, major infrastructure spending and ongoing housing shortages as key drivers of the region’s property market.
A new Gold Coast Property Report 2026, produced by COAST Buyer’s Agency and Hotspotting, forecasts economic growth of 10.07 per cent for the region, ahead of the national growth forecast of 7.91 per cent. The report estimates the Gold Coast’s Gross Regional Product has reached $49.4 billion and identifies more than $91 billion worth of infrastructure projects planned or underway across the city.
COAST Buyer’s Agency principal Joe Pullos said the Gold Coast had developed into one of Australia’s strongest growth markets.
“The big winners from this wave of economic activity will be prestige homebuyers, with particular suburbs set to outperform the wider market,” Mr Pullos said.
The report highlights a shift in the city’s economic base, with construction and health care emerging as major contributors to growth. Construction generated more than $5 billion in economic output, while health care contributed $4.5 billion, according to the research.
Mr Pullos said the city’s changing economy was attracting professionals and business owners from interstate.
“This transformation signals a maturing, diversified economy rather than a seasonal one,
“Growing up in Queensland, the saying was ‘if you’ve got any get up and go, you get up and GO!’ meaning you had to be prepared to move Sydney or Melbourne to advance your career. That’s now completely reversed. Professionals from down south and returning expats are among those moving here in droves to build businesses and enjoy the lifestyle”
Population growth remains a central factor behind housing demand. The report estimates more than 420 people moved to the Gold Coast each week over the two years to January 2024, with overseas migration accounting for most new arrivals. The city’s population is now expected to reach one million by 2040, six years earlier than previous projections.
At the same time, housing supply continues to lag demand. The report estimates the Gold Coast will require around 9,250 new homes annually until 2046, yet only 4,091 building approvals were recorded in the 2025 financial year. Vacancy rates have fallen to 1.3 per cent, with around 900 rental properties available across the region.
“The big winners from this wave of economic activity will be prestige homebuyers, with particular suburbs set to outperform the wider market”
“The number I’ve always watched is migration, and right now the Gold Coast is absorbing more than 400 people a week into a market that simply isn’t building enough homes
“When you’ve got too many people chasing too few houses, there’s really only one direction for prices.”
The report also points to employment growth as another source of demand. More than 25,300 additional jobs are forecast over the next four years, while the local unemployment rate of 3.5 per cent remains below both the Queensland and national averages.
Infrastructure investment is expected to play a major role in shaping the city’s future. Projects include transport upgrades, health precinct developments, residential construction and preparations linked to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, with the report estimating the Games could contribute around $2 billion to the Gold Coast economy.
Mr Pullos said recent policy changes and broader market conditions were increasing interest in owner-occupied homes.
“With the proposed changes making investment property less tax-effective, the family home becomes an even more attractive place to build and hold wealth.
“For buyers with capital to deploy, putting it into a high-quality home in a tightly held suburb is an increasingly compelling strategy.
“We’re already seeing strong interest in certain areas from buyers with around $2 million-plus to spend on a home, and our analysis indicates there is far more growth to come.
“For buyers moving up from Sydney or Melbourne, the value equation is striking. A median house in Bondi is around $4.5 million. For a third of that, you can buy into a comparable coastal lifestyle in Surfers Paradise — and you’re buying into the fastest-growing economy in the country while you’re at it.”
Among the prestige suburbs highlighted in the report are Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach Waters, Currumbin and Palm Beach, which Mr Pullos believes are well placed to benefit from rising demand and limited housing supply.
Looking ahead, he said the Gold Coast’s long-term outlook remained supported by population growth, infrastructure investment and housing shortages.
“The fundamentals here are as strong as I’ve seen. This isn’t a speculative run, it’s a structural shift in where Australians want to live and work. The growth in this market outweighs any of the little blips along the way.”
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