Bucasia 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
Bucasia and Eimeo are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 13 km and 11.2 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Eimeo runs $788 a year cheaper than Bucasia, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,034.
Over 10 years, Eimeo costs about $9,000 less to run than Bucasia. That's about $17 a week.
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Eimeo
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bucasia | 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 | $3,804 | $3,366 | +$438 |
| 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) | $11,018 | $10,230 | +$788 |
| 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 | Bucasia | 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, Bucasia vs Eimeo (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Eimeo costs $788 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,034 in favour of Eimeo.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $438 per year. Bucasia is 13 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 Bucasia 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 Eimeo by $438 a year, $3,366 against $3,804.
- 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bucasia cumulative | Eimeo cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,018 | $10,230 | $788 |
| Year 3 | $34,056 | $31,620 | $2,436 |
| Year 5 | $58,496 | $54,312 | $4,184 |
| Year 10 | $126,309 | $117,275 | $9,034 |
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 $10,230 per year versus $11,018 for Bucasia, a difference of $788 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $3,804 from Bucasia and $3,366 from Eimeo to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/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 $126,309 and Eimeo costs $117,275 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,034 in favour of Eimeo. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bucasia 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.