Dunnrock vs McEwens Beach, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dunnrock and McEwens Beach are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 12.9 km and 10 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
McEwens Beach runs $373 a year cheaper than Dunnrock, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,276.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $4,300, about $8 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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McEwens Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dunnrock | McEwens Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,781 | $3,058 | +$723 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,350 | $3,700 | -$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,645 | $10,272 | +$373 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,056 | $7,406 | -$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 | Dunnrock | McEwens Beach | 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, Dunnrock vs McEwens Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dunnrock and McEwens Beach differ by $373 a year by car, but $350 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 $723, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $723 per year. Dunnrock is 12.9 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, $7,056 from Dunnrock versus $7,406 from McEwens Beach.
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 McEwens Beach by $723 a year, $3,058 against $3,781.
- Building insurance favours Dunnrock by $350 a year, $3,350 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 | Dunnrock cumulative | McEwens Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,645 | $10,272 | $373 |
| Year 3 | $32,903 | $31,750 | $1,153 |
| Year 5 | $56,516 | $54,535 | $1,981 |
| Year 10 | $122,033 | $117,757 | $4,276 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dunnrock or McEwens Beach cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Dunnrock runs $10,645 a year by car and McEwens Beach $10,272, but most of the $373 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $723. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dunnrock and McEwens Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Dunnrock (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in McEwens Beach (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Dunnrock and $2,048 in McEwens Beach. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Dunnrock and McEwens Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,781 from Dunnrock and $3,058 from McEwens Beach to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Dunnrock and $192 from McEwens Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dunnrock and McEwens Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dunnrock costs a cumulative $122,033 and McEwens Beach costs $117,757 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,276 in favour of McEwens Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dunnrock and McEwens Beach 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.