Balberra vs Chelona, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Balberra and Chelona are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 17.4 km and 13.2 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Chelona runs $556 a year cheaper than Balberra, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,374.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $6,400, about $12 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Chelona
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Balberra | Chelona | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,758 | $3,852 | +$906 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,350 | $3,700 | -$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $2,000 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,622 | $11,066 | +$556 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,056 | $7,406 | -$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 | Balberra | Chelona | 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, Balberra vs Chelona (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Balberra and Chelona differ by $556 a year by car, but $350 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $906, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $906 per year. Balberra is 17.4 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, $7,056 from Balberra versus $7,406 from Chelona.
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 Chelona by $906 a year, $3,852 against $4,758.
- Building insurance favours Balberra by $350 a year, $3,350 against $3,700.
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 | Balberra cumulative | Chelona cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,622 | $11,066 | $556 |
| Year 3 | $35,922 | $34,204 | $1,718 |
| Year 5 | $61,703 | $58,751 | $2,952 |
| Year 10 | $133,233 | $126,859 | $6,374 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Balberra or Chelona cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Balberra runs $11,622 a year by car and Chelona $11,066, but most of the $556 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $906. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Balberra and Chelona?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Balberra (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Chelona (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Balberra and $2,048 in Chelona. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Balberra and Chelona?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,758 from Balberra and $3,852 from Chelona to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Balberra and $192 from Chelona.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Balberra and Chelona?
At 3% annual cost growth, Balberra costs a cumulative $133,233 and Chelona costs $126,859 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,374 in favour of Chelona. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Balberra and Chelona 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.