Bakers Creek vs Ooralea: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bakers Creek and Ooralea are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 8 km and 5.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Ooralea runs $1,044 a year cheaper than Bakers Creek, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,969.
Over 10 years, Ooralea costs about $12,000 less to run than Bakers Creek — the same as paying $12,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Ooralea
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bakers Creek | Ooralea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,433 | $1,789 | +$644 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,400 | $4,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $2,000 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,347 | $9,303 | +$1,044 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,106 | $7,706 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bakers Creek | Ooralea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 $1,044 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,969 in favour of Ooralea.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $644 per year. Bakers Creek is 8 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,106 from Bakers Creek versus $7,706 from Ooralea.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bakers Creek cumulative | Ooralea cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,347 | $9,303 | $1,044 |
| Year 3 | $31,982 | $28,755 | $3,227 |
| Year 5 | $54,934 | $49,391 | $5,543 |
| Year 10 | $118,617 | $106,648 | $11,969 |
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 $9,303 per year versus $10,347 for Bakers Creek, a difference of $1,044 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $2,433 from Bakers Creek and $1,789 from Ooralea to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $118,617 and Ooralea costs $106,648 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,969 in favour of Ooralea. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bakers Creek and Ooralea is best to actually live in?
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.