Blacks Beach vs Dolphin Heads: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blacks Beach and Dolphin Heads are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 9.2 km and 11.9 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Blacks Beach runs $695 a year cheaper than Dolphin Heads, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,968.
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 →Blacks Beach
Dolphin Heads
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blacks Beach | Dolphin Heads | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,845 | $3,540 | -$695 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,159 | $11,854 | -$695 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,506 | $8,506 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Blacks Beach | Dolphin Heads | 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 — Blacks Beach vs Dolphin Heads (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blacks Beach costs $695 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,968 in favour of Blacks Beach.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $695 per year. Dolphin Heads is 11.9 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, $8,506 and $8,506 a year, so the $695 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 Blacks Beach by $695 a year, $2,845 against $3,540.
- Building insurance is identical at $4,800 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 5 in Dolphin Heads against 3.2 in Blacks Beach, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blacks Beach cumulative | Dolphin Heads cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,159 | $11,854 | $695 |
| Year 3 | $34,491 | $36,640 | $2,149 |
| Year 5 | $59,245 | $62,934 | $3,689 |
| Year 10 | $127,925 | $135,893 | $7,968 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blacks Beach or Dolphin Heads cheaper to live in?
Blacks Beach is cheaper to run by car at $11,159 per year versus $11,854 for Dolphin Heads, a difference of $695 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blacks Beach and Dolphin Heads?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Blacks Beach (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Dolphin Heads (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Blacks Beach and $2,048 in Dolphin Heads. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Blacks Beach and Dolphin Heads?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,845 from Blacks Beach and $3,540 from Dolphin Heads to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Blacks Beach and $192 from Dolphin Heads.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blacks Beach and Dolphin Heads?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blacks Beach costs a cumulative $127,925 and Dolphin Heads costs $135,893 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,968 in favour of Blacks Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blacks Beach and Dolphin Heads 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.