Cremorne vs Mackay Harbour: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cremorne and Mackay Harbour are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 1.6 km and 4.9 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cremorne runs $1,659 a year cheaper than Mackay Harbour, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $19,019.
Over 10 years, Cremorne costs about $19,000 less to run than Mackay Harbour — the same as paying $19,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Mackay Harbour
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cremorne | Mackay Harbour | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $548 | $1,607 | -$1,059 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,600 | $5,200 | -$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,000 | $2,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,662 | $10,321 | -$1,659 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,306 | $8,906 | -$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cremorne | Mackay Harbour | 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 — Cremorne vs Mackay Harbour (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cremorne costs $1,659 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $19,019 in favour of Cremorne.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,059 per year. Mackay Harbour is 4.9 km from Mackay CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $8,306 from Cremorne versus $8,906 from Mackay Harbour.
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 Cremorne by $1,059 a year, $548 against $1,607.
- Building insurance favours Cremorne by $600 a year, $4,600 against $5,200.
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 | Cremorne cumulative | Mackay Harbour cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,662 | $10,321 | $1,659 |
| Year 3 | $26,773 | $31,901 | $5,128 |
| Year 5 | $45,988 | $54,796 | $8,808 |
| Year 10 | $99,300 | $118,319 | $19,019 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cremorne or Mackay Harbour cheaper to live in?
Cremorne is cheaper to run by car at $8,662 per year versus $10,321 for Mackay Harbour, a difference of $1,659 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cremorne and Mackay Harbour?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Cremorne (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Mackay Harbour (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Cremorne and $2,048 in Mackay Harbour. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cremorne and Mackay Harbour?
Annual driving commute costs are $548 from Cremorne and $1,607 from Mackay Harbour to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cremorne and $192 from Mackay Harbour.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cremorne and Mackay Harbour?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cremorne costs a cumulative $99,300 and Mackay Harbour costs $118,319 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $19,019 in favour of Cremorne. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cremorne and Mackay Harbour 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.