Wise Logo
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a trusted money transfer service used by millions of digital nomads worldwide.

Low-fee international transfers.

Affiliate disclosure

Gold Coast, Australia 🇦🇺
#88 ,

Nomad Score: 63%

💰 Cost & Affordability

💸 Cost of Living
32% Weight: 150
Gold Coast is relatively expensive compared to many global digital nomad hubs, with high costs in accommodation and dining.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
28% Weight: 80
Rental prices are high, especially near the beach and city center, limiting budget options.
🍎 Food & Groceries
41% Weight: 40
Groceries and dining out are moderately expensive but offer good quality and variety.
🚌 Transportation Cost
55% Weight: 20
Public transport is available but limited; costs are moderate, with many relying on cars or rideshares.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
40% Weight: 15
Entertainment options are diverse but can be pricey, especially tourist attractions and nightlife.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
57% Weight: 10
Average gym memberships cost around AUD 40-60 per month, typical for Australian cities.
💱 Currency Stability
91% Weight: 30
Australian Dollar is stable with low volatility, providing financial predictability.

💻 Digital Nomad Essentials

🚀 Internet Speed
78% Weight: 100
Good broadband and 5G coverage with average speeds around 50-100 Mbps in urban areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
63% Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist but fewer than major Australian cities like Sydney or Melbourne.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
70% Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, suitable for casual work sessions.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
65% Weight: 30
A decent number of cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and good WiFi.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
50% Weight: 100
Growing but still moderate digital nomad presence compared to larger Australian cities.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85% Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.

🌟 Quality of Life

⚖️ Work-Life Balance
84% Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on outdoor lifestyle and leisure, supporting a healthy work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
80% Weight: 15
Clean beaches and parks contribute to good environmental quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
82% Weight: 10
Public spaces and streets are well-maintained and clean.
🗨️ Language Barrier
95% Weight: 30
English is the primary language, minimizing communication barriers.
💨 Air Quality
75% Weight: 15
Generally good air quality, though occasional bushfire smoke can affect conditions seasonally.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Friendly
70% Weight: 25
Good schools, parks, and family-oriented activities available.

🏥 Healthcare

🏥 Healthcare Quality
90% Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare services with well-equipped facilities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
43% Weight: 25
Healthcare can be expensive without insurance; public healthcare is accessible but may have wait times.
🏥 Healthcare
87% Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare system with good emergency and specialist care.

🌿 Climate & Environment

☀️ Weather
89% Weight: 80
Subtropical climate with warm summers and mild winters, mostly sunny and pleasant.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
52% Weight: 10
Moderate risk of flooding and occasional bushfires, but generally manageable.
🏞️ Green Spaces
78% Weight: 10
Numerous parks, beaches, and nature reserves available for recreation.
❄️ Air Conditioning
80% Weight: 15
Widely available in homes and public spaces due to warm climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
55% Weight: 10
Mild seasonal changes with mostly warm weather year-round, limited winter variation.
🔊 Noise Pollution
65% Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels, higher near nightlife and tourist areas.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
67% Weight: 20
Vibrant local culture with a mix of beach lifestyle and multicultural influences.
🌃 Nightlife
60% Weight: 15
Active nightlife with bars and clubs, though less intense than larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
92% Weight: 15
Excellent access to beaches, hiking trails, and national parks.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
50% Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools but informal opportunities through community and cultural events.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
75% Weight: 10
Good availability of tours, especially nature and adventure-based activities.
🎳 Indoors Fun
58% Weight: 10
Moderate options including cinemas, museums, and shopping centers.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
70% Weight: 25
Diverse food options with strong seafood and international cuisine presence.
🧠 Yoga Studios
68% Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers available.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
65% Weight: 15
Good range of gyms and fitness classes, though not as extensive as larger cities.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
73% Weight: 15
Plenty of health-conscious cafes and organic markets.

💼 Work Environment

🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
60% Weight: 20
AEST timezone is favorable for Asia-Pacific clients but less so for Europe and Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
55% Weight: 25
Limited compared to major tech hubs but growing startup and freelancer communities.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
50% Weight: 20
Local remote job market is moderate; many rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
53% Weight: 20
Emerging freelance community with some support networks.
🏢 Coworking Quality
60% Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are modern and well-equipped but fewer in number.

📈 Business & Economy

🚀 Startup Scene
47% Weight: 15
Smaller startup ecosystem compared to Sydney or Melbourne.
💳 Local Payment Services
75% Weight: 10
Good availability of digital payment options and banking apps.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50% Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption, with some local meetups and exchanges.

🚆 Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
68% Weight: 30
Gold Coast Airport offers domestic and limited international flights; Brisbane Airport nearby for more options.
🚇 Public Transit
45% Weight: 20
Public transport is limited, mostly buses and light rail with infrequent service.
🚶 Walkability
60% Weight: 20
Walkable in central areas and beach strips but less so in suburban zones.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
75% Weight: 15
Uber and other ride-sharing services are widely available.
🚲 Cycling
62% Weight: 10
Some dedicated bike lanes and paths, especially near beaches.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60% Weight: 15
Good road connections and bus services to Brisbane and surrounding areas.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
55% Weight: 10
Limited electric scooter rentals; bike rentals available mostly for tourists.

📡 Connectivity

📱 Mobile Network Coverage
80% Weight: 20
Strong 4G and expanding 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
85% Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
87% Weight: 15
Stable electricity supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
65% Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public areas but not widespread.

⚖️ Legal & Administrative

🛂 Visa Ease
40% Weight: 40
Australia has strict visa policies; obtaining long-term digital nomad visas is challenging.
📊 Tax Friendliness
35% Weight: 30
High tax rates and complex regulations for freelancers and remote workers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
90% Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
92% Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low political risk.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
60% Weight: 15
Possible but requires residency or substantial documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
65% Weight: 10
Business registration is straightforward but involves regulatory compliance.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
20% Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa; standard work or tourist visas apply.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
55% Weight: 50
Moderately friendly with good infrastructure but visa and cost barriers.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
50% Weight: 25
Some meetups and events but less frequent than in major nomad hubs.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
58% Weight: 20
Active but small online communities for digital nomads in the area.

🛡️ Safety & Tolerance

🛡️ Safety
85% Weight: 100
Generally safe with low crime rates in most neighborhoods.
♀️ Female Friendly
80% Weight: 50
Safe and inclusive environment for female travelers and workers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75% Weight: 50
Multicultural society with generally good racial tolerance.

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.