Blacks Beach vs Eimeo, 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 Eimeo are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 9.2 km and 11.2 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $171 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 $2,000, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Blacks Beach
Eimeo
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blacks Beach | Eimeo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,845 | $3,366 | -$521 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,700 | $3,350 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,059 | $10,230 | -$171 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,406 | $7,056 | +$350 |
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 | Blacks Beach | Eimeo | 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 Eimeo (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blacks Beach and Eimeo differ by $171 a year by car, but $350 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 $521, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $521 per year. Eimeo is 11.2 km from Mackay CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $7,406 from Blacks Beach versus $7,056 from Eimeo.
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 $521 a year, $2,845 against $3,366.
- Building insurance favours Eimeo by $350 a year, $3,350 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.
The catchment state school scores 4.5 in Eimeo against 3.2 in Blacks Beach, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blacks Beach cumulative | Eimeo cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,059 | $10,230 | $171 |
| Year 3 | $31,091 | $31,620 | $529 |
| Year 5 | $53,405 | $54,312 | $907 |
| Year 10 | $115,315 | $117,275 | $1,960 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blacks Beach or Eimeo cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Blacks Beach runs $10,059 a year by car and Eimeo $10,230, but most of the $171 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $521. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blacks Beach and Eimeo?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Blacks Beach (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Eimeo (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Blacks Beach and $2,048 in Eimeo. 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 Eimeo?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,845 from Blacks Beach and $3,366 from Eimeo to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Blacks Beach and $192 from Eimeo.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blacks Beach and Eimeo?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blacks Beach costs a cumulative $115,315 and Eimeo costs $117,275 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,960 in favour of Blacks Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blacks Beach and Eimeo 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.