Alexandra vs Te Kowai: 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 Te Kowai are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 9.7 km and 7.8 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Te Kowai runs $518 a year cheaper than Alexandra, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,938.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Alexandra
Te Kowai
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alexandra | Te Kowai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,978 | $2,460 | +$518 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $1,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,292 | $10,774 | +$518 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,506 | $8,506 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Alexandra | Te Kowai | 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 Te Kowai (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Te Kowai costs $518 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,938 in favour of Te Kowai.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $518 per year. Alexandra is 9.7 km from Mackay CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,506 and $8,506 a year, so the $518 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Te Kowai by $518 a year, $2,460 against $2,978.
- Building insurance is identical at $4,800 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Alexandra cumulative | Te Kowai cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,292 | $10,774 | $518 |
| Year 3 | $34,902 | $33,301 | $1,601 |
| Year 5 | $59,951 | $57,201 | $2,750 |
| Year 10 | $129,450 | $123,512 | $5,938 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alexandra or Te Kowai cheaper to live in?
Te Kowai is cheaper to run by car at $10,774 per year versus $11,292 for Alexandra, a difference of $518 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Alexandra and Te Kowai?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Alexandra (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Te Kowai (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Alexandra and $2,048 in Te Kowai. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Alexandra and Te Kowai?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,978 from Alexandra and $2,460 from Te Kowai to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Alexandra and $192 from Te Kowai.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alexandra and Te Kowai?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alexandra costs a cumulative $129,450 and Te Kowai costs $123,512 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,938 in favour of Te Kowai. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alexandra and Te Kowai is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.