Chelona vs Rosella, 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 Rosella are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 13.2 km and 11 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Rosella runs $637 a year cheaper than Chelona, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,302.
Over 10 years, Rosella costs about $7,300 less to run than Chelona. That's about $14 a week.
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Rosella
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chelona | Rosella | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,852 | $3,315 | +$537 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,700 | $3,600 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,066 | $10,429 | +$637 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,406 | $7,306 | +$100 |
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 | Chelona | Rosella | 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 Rosella (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rosella costs $637 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,302 in favour of Rosella.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $537 per year. Chelona is 13.2 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, $7,406 and $7,306 a year, so the $637 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 Rosella by $537 a year, $3,315 against $3,852.
- Building insurance favours Rosella by $100 a year, $3,600 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 | Chelona cumulative | Rosella cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,066 | $10,429 | $637 |
| Year 3 | $34,204 | $32,235 | $1,969 |
| Year 5 | $58,751 | $55,369 | $3,382 |
| Year 10 | $126,859 | $119,557 | $7,302 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chelona or Rosella cheaper to live in?
Rosella is cheaper to run by car at $10,429 per year versus $11,066 for Chelona, a difference of $637 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chelona and Rosella?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Chelona (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Rosella (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Chelona and $2,048 in Rosella. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Chelona and Rosella?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,852 from Chelona and $3,315 from Rosella to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Chelona and $192 from Rosella.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chelona and Rosella?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chelona costs a cumulative $126,859 and Rosella costs $119,557 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,302 in favour of Rosella. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chelona and Rosella 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.