Bakers Creek vs Ooralea, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bakers Creek and Ooralea are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 8 km and 5.7 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Ooralea runs $1,016 a year cheaper than Bakers Creek, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,648.
Over 10 years, Ooralea costs about $11,600 less to run than Bakers Creek. That's about $22 a week.
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Ooralea
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bakers Creek | Ooralea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,516 | $1,850 | +$666 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,500 | $3,150 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $2,000 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,530 | $8,514 | +$1,016 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,206 | $6,856 | +$350 |
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 | Bakers Creek | Ooralea | 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, Bakers Creek vs Ooralea (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ooralea costs $1,016 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,648 in favour of Ooralea.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $666 per year. Bakers Creek is 8 km from Mackay CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $7,206 from Bakers Creek versus $6,856 from Ooralea.
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 Ooralea by $666 a year, $1,850 against $2,516.
- Building insurance favours Ooralea by $350 a year, $3,150 against $3,500.
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 | Bakers Creek cumulative | Ooralea cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,530 | $8,514 | $1,016 |
| Year 3 | $29,456 | $26,316 | $3,140 |
| Year 5 | $50,596 | $45,202 | $5,394 |
| Year 10 | $109,251 | $97,603 | $11,648 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bakers Creek or Ooralea cheaper to live in?
Ooralea is cheaper to run by car at $8,514 per year versus $9,530 for Bakers Creek, a difference of $1,016 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bakers Creek and Ooralea?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Bakers Creek (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Ooralea (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Bakers Creek and $2,048 in Ooralea. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bakers Creek and Ooralea?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,516 from Bakers Creek and $1,850 from Ooralea to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bakers Creek and $192 from Ooralea.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bakers Creek and Ooralea?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bakers Creek costs a cumulative $109,251 and Ooralea costs $97,603 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,648 in favour of Ooralea. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bakers Creek and Ooralea 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.