Cremorne vs Mackay Harbour: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/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 Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cremorne runs $1,624 a year cheaper than Mackay Harbour, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $18,617.
Over 10 years, Cremorne costs about $18,600 less to run than Mackay Harbour — the same as paying $18,600 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) | $530 | $1,554 | -$1,024 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,600 | $5,200 | -$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,000 | $2,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,644 | $10,268 | -$1,624 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,306 | $8,906 | -$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cremorne | Mackay Harbour | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 $1,624 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $18,617 in favour of Cremorne.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,024 per year. Mackay Harbour is 4.9 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $8,306 from Cremorne versus $8,906 from Mackay Harbour.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cremorne cumulative | Mackay Harbour cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,644 | $10,268 | $1,624 |
| Year 3 | $26,718 | $31,737 | $5,019 |
| Year 5 | $45,892 | $54,514 | $8,622 |
| Year 10 | $99,094 | $117,711 | $18,617 |
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 $8,644 per year versus $10,268 for Mackay Harbour, a difference of $1,624 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $530 from Cremorne and $1,554 from Mackay Harbour to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $99,094 and Mackay Harbour costs $117,711 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $18,617 in favour of Cremorne. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cremorne and Mackay Harbour is best to actually live in?
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.