Cape Hillsborough vs Haliday Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cape Hillsborough and Haliday Bay are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 30.4 km and 34.2 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $156 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 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 →Cape Hillsborough
Haliday Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cape Hillsborough | Haliday Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,586 | $6,842 | -$256 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,900 | $4,800 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $15,000 | $15,156 | -$156 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,606 | $8,506 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cape Hillsborough | Haliday Bay | 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 — Cape Hillsborough vs Haliday Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cape Hillsborough and Haliday Bay cost within $156 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,789, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $256 per year. Haliday Bay is 34.2 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, $8,606 and $8,506 a year, so the $156 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 Cape Hillsborough by $256 a year, $6,586 against $6,842.
- Building insurance favours Haliday Bay by $100 a year, $4,800 against $4,900.
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 | Cape Hillsborough cumulative | Haliday Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $15,000 | $15,156 | $156 |
| Year 3 | $46,364 | $46,846 | $482 |
| Year 5 | $79,637 | $80,465 | $828 |
| Year 10 | $171,958 | $173,747 | $1,789 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cape Hillsborough or Haliday Bay cheaper to live in?
Cape Hillsborough is cheaper to run by car at $15,000 per year versus $15,156 for Haliday Bay, a difference of $156 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cape Hillsborough and Haliday Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Cape Hillsborough (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Haliday Bay (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Cape Hillsborough and $2,048 in Haliday Bay. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cape Hillsborough and Haliday Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,586 from Cape Hillsborough and $6,842 from Haliday Bay to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cape Hillsborough and $192 from Haliday Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cape Hillsborough and Haliday Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cape Hillsborough costs a cumulative $171,958 and Haliday Bay costs $173,747 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,789 in favour of Cape Hillsborough. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cape Hillsborough and Haliday Bay 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.