Ball Bay vs Belmunda: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ball Bay and Belmunda are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 31.4 km and 28 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $206 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Ball Bay
Belmunda
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ball Bay | Belmunda | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,666 | $6,360 | +$306 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,400 | $4,500 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,700 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $14,580 | $14,374 | +$206 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,106 | $8,206 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Ball Bay | Belmunda | 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 — Ball Bay vs Belmunda (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ball Bay and Belmunda cost within $206 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,361, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $306 per year. Ball Bay is 31.4 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, $8,106 and $8,206 a year, so the $206 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 Belmunda by $306 a year, $6,360 against $6,666.
- Building insurance favours Ball Bay by $100 a year, $4,400 against $4,500.
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 | Ball Bay cumulative | Belmunda cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $14,580 | $14,374 | $206 |
| Year 3 | $45,065 | $44,429 | $636 |
| Year 5 | $77,407 | $76,314 | $1,093 |
| Year 10 | $167,143 | $164,782 | $2,361 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ball Bay or Belmunda cheaper to live in?
Belmunda is cheaper to run by car at $14,374 per year versus $14,580 for Ball Bay, a difference of $206 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ball Bay and Belmunda?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Ball Bay (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Belmunda (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Ball Bay and $2,048 in Belmunda. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Ball Bay and Belmunda?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,666 from Ball Bay and $6,360 from Belmunda to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ball Bay and $192 from Belmunda.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ball Bay and Belmunda?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ball Bay costs a cumulative $167,143 and Belmunda costs $164,782 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,361 in favour of Belmunda. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ball Bay and Belmunda 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.