Bakers Creek vs Paget: 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 Paget are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 8 km and 4.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Paget runs $1,168 a year cheaper than Bakers Creek, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,390.
Over 10 years, Paget costs about $13,400 less to run than Bakers Creek — the same as paying $13,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Paget
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bakers Creek | Paget | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,433 | $1,465 | +$968 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,400 | $4,200 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $2,000 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,347 | $9,179 | +$1,168 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,106 | $7,906 | +$200 |
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 | Paget | 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 Paget (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Paget costs $1,168 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,390 in favour of Paget.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $968 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 $200 per year, $8,106 from Bakers Creek versus $7,906 from Paget.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bakers Creek cumulative | Paget cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,347 | $9,179 | $1,168 |
| Year 3 | $31,982 | $28,371 | $3,611 |
| Year 5 | $54,934 | $48,733 | $6,201 |
| Year 10 | $118,617 | $105,227 | $13,390 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bakers Creek or Paget cheaper to live in?
Paget is cheaper to run by car at $9,179 per year versus $10,347 for Bakers Creek, a difference of $1,168 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 Paget?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Bakers Creek (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Paget (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Bakers Creek and $2,048 in Paget. 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 Paget?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,433 from Bakers Creek and $1,465 from Paget to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bakers Creek and $192 from Paget.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bakers Creek and Paget?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bakers Creek costs a cumulative $118,617 and Paget costs $105,227 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,390 in favour of Paget. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bakers Creek and Paget 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.