Bucasia vs Eimeo: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bucasia and Eimeo are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 13 km and 11.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Eimeo runs $1,024 a year cheaper than Bucasia, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,739.
Over 10 years, Eimeo costs about $11,700 less to run than Bucasia — the same as paying $11,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Eimeo
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bucasia | Eimeo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,679 | $3,255 | +$424 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,200 | +$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,993 | $10,969 | +$1,024 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,506 | $7,906 | +$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bucasia | Eimeo | 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 — Bucasia vs Eimeo (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Eimeo costs $1,024 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,739 in favour of Eimeo.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $8,506 from Bucasia versus $7,906 from Eimeo.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bucasia cumulative | Eimeo cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,993 | $10,969 | $1,024 |
| Year 3 | $37,069 | $33,904 | $3,165 |
| Year 5 | $63,672 | $58,236 | $5,436 |
| Year 10 | $137,486 | $125,747 | $11,739 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bucasia or Eimeo cheaper to live in?
Eimeo is cheaper to run by car at $10,969 per year versus $11,993 for Bucasia, a difference of $1,024 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bucasia and Eimeo?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Bucasia (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Eimeo (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Bucasia 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 Bucasia and Eimeo?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,679 from Bucasia and $3,255 from Eimeo to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bucasia and $192 from Eimeo.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bucasia and Eimeo?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bucasia costs a cumulative $137,486 and Eimeo costs $125,747 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,739 in favour of Eimeo. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bucasia and Eimeo 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.