Belmunda 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
Belmunda and Cape Hillsborough are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 28 km and 30.4 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Belmunda runs $326 a year cheaper than Cape Hillsborough, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,738.
Over 10 years, Belmunda costs about $3,700 less to run than Cape Hillsborough. That's about $7 a week.
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Cape Hillsborough
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Belmunda | 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 | $6,360 | $6,586 | -$226 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,600 | $3,700 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,700 | $1,600 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $13,474 | $13,800 | -$326 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,306 | $7,406 | -$100 |
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 | Belmunda | 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, Belmunda vs Cape Hillsborough (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Belmunda costs $326 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,738 in favour of Belmunda.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $226 per year. Cape Hillsborough is 30.4 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, $7,306 and $7,406 a year, so the $326 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 $226 a year, $6,360 against $6,586.
- Building insurance favours Belmunda by $100 a year, $3,600 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 | Belmunda cumulative | Cape Hillsborough cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,474 | $13,800 | $326 |
| Year 3 | $41,647 | $42,654 | $1,007 |
| Year 5 | $71,535 | $73,266 | $1,731 |
| Year 10 | $154,464 | $158,202 | $3,738 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Belmunda or Cape Hillsborough cheaper to live in?
Belmunda is cheaper to run by car at $13,474 per year versus $13,800 for Cape Hillsborough, a difference of $326 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Belmunda and Cape Hillsborough?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Belmunda (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Cape Hillsborough (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Belmunda 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 Belmunda and Cape Hillsborough?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,360 from Belmunda and $6,586 from Cape Hillsborough to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Belmunda and $192 from Cape Hillsborough.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Belmunda and Cape Hillsborough?
At 3% annual cost growth, Belmunda costs a cumulative $154,464 and Cape Hillsborough costs $158,202 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,738 in favour of Belmunda. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Belmunda and Cape Hillsborough 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.