Alexandra vs Dumbleton, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Alexandra and Dumbleton are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 9.7 km and 11.2 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $188 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,200, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Dumbleton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alexandra | Dumbleton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,978 | $3,366 | -$388 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,700 | $3,500 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,192 | $10,380 | -$188 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,406 | $7,206 | +$200 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Alexandra | Dumbleton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,140 | $2,140 | - |
| Unit | $1,770 | $1,770 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Alexandra vs Dumbleton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Alexandra and Dumbleton differ by $188 a year by car, but $200 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $388, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $388 per year. Dumbleton is 11.2 km from Mackay CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,406 from Alexandra versus $7,206 from Dumbleton.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,466 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,048 a year.
- Driving commute favours Alexandra by $388 a year, $2,978 against $3,366.
- Building insurance favours Dumbleton by $200 a year, $3,500 against $3,700.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Alexandra cumulative | Dumbleton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,192 | $10,380 | $188 |
| Year 3 | $31,502 | $32,084 | $582 |
| Year 5 | $54,111 | $55,109 | $998 |
| Year 10 | $116,840 | $118,995 | $2,155 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alexandra or Dumbleton cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Alexandra runs $10,192 a year by car and Dumbleton $10,380, but most of the $188 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $388. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Alexandra and Dumbleton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Alexandra (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Dumbleton (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Alexandra and $2,048 in Dumbleton. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Alexandra and Dumbleton?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,978 from Alexandra and $3,366 from Dumbleton to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Alexandra and $192 from Dumbleton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alexandra and Dumbleton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alexandra costs a cumulative $116,840 and Dumbleton costs $118,995 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,155 in favour of Alexandra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alexandra and Dumbleton suits you better?
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Sources: Mackay Regional Council and Mackay Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.