Chelona vs Dunnrock: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Chelona and Dunnrock are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 13.2 km and 12.9 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Dunnrock runs $671 a year cheaper than Chelona, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,693.
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 →Chelona
Dunnrock
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chelona | Dunnrock | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,852 | $3,781 | +$71 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,200 | +$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,166 | $11,495 | +$671 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,506 | $7,906 | +$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Chelona | Dunnrock | 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 — Chelona vs Dunnrock (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dunnrock costs $671 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,693 in favour of Dunnrock.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $8,506 from Chelona versus $7,906 from Dunnrock.
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 Dunnrock by $71 a year, $3,781 against $3,852.
- Building insurance favours Dunnrock by $600 a year, $4,200 against $4,800.
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 | Chelona cumulative | Dunnrock cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,166 | $11,495 | $671 |
| Year 3 | $37,604 | $35,530 | $2,074 |
| Year 5 | $64,591 | $61,029 | $3,562 |
| Year 10 | $139,470 | $131,777 | $7,693 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chelona or Dunnrock cheaper to live in?
Dunnrock is cheaper to run by car at $11,495 per year versus $12,166 for Chelona, a difference of $671 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chelona and Dunnrock?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Chelona (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Dunnrock (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Chelona and $2,048 in Dunnrock. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Chelona and Dunnrock?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,852 from Chelona and $3,781 from Dunnrock to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Chelona and $192 from Dunnrock.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chelona and Dunnrock?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chelona costs a cumulative $139,470 and Dunnrock costs $131,777 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,693 in favour of Dunnrock. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chelona and Dunnrock 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.