Beaconsfield vs Nindaroo: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Beaconsfield and Nindaroo are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 6.6 km and 10.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Beaconsfield runs $1,311 a year cheaper than Nindaroo, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,029.
Over 10 years, Beaconsfield costs about $15,000 less to run than Nindaroo — the same as paying $15,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Nindaroo
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Beaconsfield | Nindaroo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,046 | $3,157 | -$1,111 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,600 | $4,800 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $1,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,160 | $11,471 | -$1,311 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,306 | $8,506 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Beaconsfield | Nindaroo | 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 — Beaconsfield vs Nindaroo (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Beaconsfield costs $1,311 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $15,029 in favour of Beaconsfield.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,111 per year. Nindaroo is 10.8 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, $8,306 from Beaconsfield versus $8,506 from Nindaroo.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Beaconsfield cumulative | Nindaroo cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,160 | $11,471 | $1,311 |
| Year 3 | $31,404 | $35,456 | $4,052 |
| Year 5 | $53,941 | $60,901 | $6,960 |
| Year 10 | $116,473 | $131,502 | $15,029 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beaconsfield or Nindaroo cheaper to live in?
Beaconsfield is cheaper to run by car at $10,160 per year versus $11,471 for Nindaroo, a difference of $1,311 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Beaconsfield and Nindaroo?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Beaconsfield (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Nindaroo (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Beaconsfield and $2,048 in Nindaroo. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Beaconsfield and Nindaroo?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,046 from Beaconsfield and $3,157 from Nindaroo to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Beaconsfield and $192 from Nindaroo.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Beaconsfield and Nindaroo?
At 3% annual cost growth, Beaconsfield costs a cumulative $116,473 and Nindaroo costs $131,502 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,029 in favour of Beaconsfield. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Beaconsfield and Nindaroo is best to actually live in?
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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.