Ball Bay vs Cape Hillsborough, 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 Cape Hillsborough are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 31.4 km and 30.4 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $120 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 the gap between these two is about $1,400, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Cape Hillsborough
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ball Bay | Cape Hillsborough | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,666 | $6,586 | +$80 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,500 | $3,700 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,600 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $13,680 | $13,800 | -$120 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,206 | $7,406 | -$200 |
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 | Ball Bay | Cape Hillsborough | 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 Cape Hillsborough (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ball Bay and Cape Hillsborough differ by $120 a year by car, but $200 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 $80, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,206 from Ball Bay versus $7,406 from Cape Hillsborough.
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 Cape Hillsborough by $80 a year, $6,586 against $6,666.
- Building insurance favours Ball Bay by $200 a year, $3,500 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 | Ball Bay cumulative | Cape Hillsborough cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,680 | $13,800 | $120 |
| Year 3 | $42,284 | $42,654 | $370 |
| Year 5 | $72,629 | $73,266 | $637 |
| Year 10 | $156,826 | $158,202 | $1,376 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ball Bay or Cape Hillsborough cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Ball Bay runs $13,680 a year by car and Cape Hillsborough $13,800, but most of the $120 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $80. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ball Bay and Cape Hillsborough?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Ball Bay (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Cape Hillsborough (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Ball Bay and $2,048 in Cape Hillsborough. 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 Cape Hillsborough?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,666 from Ball Bay and $6,586 from Cape Hillsborough to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ball Bay and $192 from Cape Hillsborough.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ball Bay and Cape Hillsborough?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ball Bay costs a cumulative $156,826 and Cape Hillsborough costs $158,202 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,376 in favour of Ball Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ball Bay and Cape Hillsborough suits you better?
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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.