Bucasia vs Nindaroo: 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 Nindaroo are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 13 km and 10.8 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Nindaroo runs $539 a year cheaper than Bucasia, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,179.
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 →Bucasia
Nindaroo
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bucasia | Nindaroo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,804 | $3,265 | +$539 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $1,800 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $12,118 | $11,579 | +$539 |
| 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 | Bucasia | Nindaroo | 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 Nindaroo (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Nindaroo costs $539 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,179 in favour of Nindaroo.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $539 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 two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,506 and $8,506 a year, so the $539 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 Nindaroo by $539 a year, $3,265 against $3,804.
- 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bucasia cumulative | Nindaroo cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,118 | $11,579 | $539 |
| Year 3 | $37,456 | $35,790 | $1,666 |
| Year 5 | $64,336 | $61,474 | $2,862 |
| Year 10 | $138,919 | $132,740 | $6,179 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bucasia or Nindaroo cheaper to live in?
Nindaroo is cheaper to run by car at $11,579 per year versus $12,118 for Bucasia, a difference of $539 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bucasia and Nindaroo?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Bucasia (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Nindaroo (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Bucasia and $2,048 in Nindaroo. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bucasia and Nindaroo?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,804 from Bucasia and $3,265 from Nindaroo to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bucasia and $192 from Nindaroo.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bucasia and Nindaroo?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bucasia costs a cumulative $138,919 and Nindaroo costs $132,740 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,179 in favour of Nindaroo. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bucasia and Nindaroo 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.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.