Dumbleton vs Walkerston, 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 Walkerston are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 11.2 km and 12.6 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $193 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,200, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Walkerston
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dumbleton | Walkerston | 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 | $3,709 | -$343 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,500 | $3,350 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $1,800 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $10,380 | $10,573 | -$193 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,206 | $7,056 | +$150 |
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 | Walkerston | 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 Walkerston (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dumbleton and Walkerston differ by $193 a year by car, but $150 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $343, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $343 per year. Walkerston is 12.6 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, $7,206 and $7,056 a year, so the $193 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 Dumbleton by $343 a year, $3,366 against $3,709.
- Building insurance favours Walkerston by $150 a year, $3,350 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 | Walkerston cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,380 | $10,573 | $193 |
| Year 3 | $32,084 | $32,680 | $596 |
| Year 5 | $55,109 | $56,133 | $1,024 |
| Year 10 | $118,995 | $121,208 | $2,213 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dumbleton or Walkerston cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Dumbleton runs $10,380 a year by car and Walkerston $10,573, but most of the $193 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $343. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dumbleton and Walkerston?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Dumbleton (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Walkerston (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Dumbleton and $2,048 in Walkerston. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Dumbleton and Walkerston?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,366 from Dumbleton and $3,709 from Walkerston to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Dumbleton and $192 from Walkerston.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dumbleton and Walkerston?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dumbleton costs a cumulative $118,995 and Walkerston costs $121,208 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,213 in favour of Dumbleton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dumbleton and Walkerston 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.