Dumbleton vs Erakala, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dumbleton and Erakala are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 11.2 km and 7.2 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Erakala runs $1,427 a year cheaper than Dumbleton, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $16,359.
Over 10 years, Erakala costs about $16,400 less to run than Dumbleton. That's about $31 a week.
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Erakala
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dumbleton | Erakala | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,366 | $2,289 | +$1,077 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,500 | $3,150 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,380 | $8,953 | +$1,427 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,206 | $6,856 | +$350 |
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 | Dumbleton | Erakala | 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, Dumbleton vs Erakala (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Erakala costs $1,427 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $16,359 in favour of Erakala.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,077 per year. Dumbleton is 11.2 km from Mackay CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $7,206 from Dumbleton versus $6,856 from Erakala.
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 Erakala by $1,077 a year, $2,289 against $3,366.
- Building insurance favours Erakala by $350 a year, $3,150 against $3,500.
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 | Dumbleton cumulative | Erakala cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,380 | $8,953 | $1,427 |
| Year 3 | $32,084 | $27,673 | $4,411 |
| Year 5 | $55,109 | $47,533 | $7,576 |
| Year 10 | $118,995 | $102,636 | $16,359 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dumbleton or Erakala cheaper to live in?
Erakala is cheaper to run by car at $8,953 per year versus $10,380 for Dumbleton, a difference of $1,427 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dumbleton and Erakala?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Dumbleton (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Erakala (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Dumbleton and $2,048 in Erakala. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Dumbleton and Erakala?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,366 from Dumbleton and $2,289 from Erakala to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Dumbleton and $192 from Erakala.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dumbleton and Erakala?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dumbleton costs a cumulative $118,995 and Erakala costs $102,636 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $16,359 in favour of Erakala. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dumbleton and Erakala 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.