Beaconsfield vs North Mackay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Beaconsfield and North Mackay are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 6.6 km and 3.1 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
North Mackay runs $475 a year cheaper than Beaconsfield, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,445.
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 →Beaconsfield
North Mackay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Beaconsfield | North Mackay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,116 | $1,041 | +$1,075 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,600 | $5,200 | -$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,600 | -$600 |
| Total (driving) | $10,230 | $9,755 | +$475 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,306 | $8,906 | -$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Beaconsfield | North Mackay | 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 — Beaconsfield vs North Mackay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
North Mackay costs $475 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,445 in favour of North Mackay.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,075 per year. Beaconsfield is 6.6 km from Mackay CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $8,306 from Beaconsfield versus $8,906 from North Mackay.
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 North Mackay by $1,075 a year, $1,041 against $2,116.
- Building insurance favours Beaconsfield by $600 a year, $4,600 against $5,200.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in North Mackay against low in Beaconsfield, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Beaconsfield cumulative | North Mackay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,230 | $9,755 | $475 |
| Year 3 | $31,620 | $30,152 | $1,468 |
| Year 5 | $54,312 | $51,791 | $2,521 |
| Year 10 | $117,275 | $111,830 | $5,445 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beaconsfield or North Mackay cheaper to live in?
North Mackay is cheaper to run by car at $9,755 per year versus $10,230 for Beaconsfield, a difference of $475 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Beaconsfield and North Mackay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Beaconsfield (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in North Mackay (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Beaconsfield and $2,048 in North Mackay. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Beaconsfield and North Mackay?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,116 from Beaconsfield and $1,041 from North Mackay to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Beaconsfield and $192 from North Mackay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Beaconsfield and North Mackay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Beaconsfield costs a cumulative $117,275 and North Mackay costs $111,830 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,445 in favour of North Mackay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Beaconsfield and North Mackay 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.
Related comparisons
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.