Andergrove vs Slade Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Andergrove and Slade Point are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 5.8 km and 7.8 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Andergrove runs $580 a year cheaper than Slade Point, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,649.
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 →Andergrove
Slade Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Andergrove | Slade Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,880 | $2,460 | -$580 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,194 | $10,774 | -$580 |
| 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 | Andergrove | Slade Point | 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 — Andergrove vs Slade Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Andergrove costs $580 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,649 in favour of Andergrove.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $580 per year. Slade Point is 7.8 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 $580 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 Andergrove by $580 a year, $1,880 against $2,460.
- 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.
The catchment state school scores 3.2 in Andergrove against 2.2 in Slade Point, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Andergrove cumulative | Slade Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,194 | $10,774 | $580 |
| Year 3 | $31,509 | $33,301 | $1,792 |
| Year 5 | $54,121 | $57,201 | $3,080 |
| Year 10 | $116,863 | $123,512 | $6,649 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Andergrove or Slade Point cheaper to live in?
Andergrove is cheaper to run by car at $10,194 per year versus $10,774 for Slade Point, a difference of $580 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Andergrove and Slade Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Andergrove (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Slade Point (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Andergrove and $2,048 in Slade Point. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Andergrove and Slade Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,880 from Andergrove and $2,460 from Slade Point to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Andergrove and $192 from Slade Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Andergrove and Slade Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Andergrove costs a cumulative $116,863 and Slade Point costs $123,512 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,649 in favour of Andergrove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Andergrove and Slade Point 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.
Related comparisons
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.