Erakala vs Foulden: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Erakala and Foulden are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 7.2 km and 4.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Foulden runs $669 a year cheaper than Erakala, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,670.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Erakala
Foulden
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Erakala | Foulden | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,214 | $1,345 | +$869 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,000 | $4,200 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,728 | $9,059 | +$669 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,706 | $7,906 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Erakala | Foulden | 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 — Erakala vs Foulden (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Foulden costs $669 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,670 in favour of Foulden.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $869 per year. Erakala is 7.2 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,706 from Erakala versus $7,906 from Foulden.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Erakala cumulative | Foulden cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,728 | $9,059 | $669 |
| Year 3 | $30,068 | $28,000 | $2,068 |
| Year 5 | $51,647 | $48,095 | $3,552 |
| Year 10 | $111,521 | $103,851 | $7,670 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Erakala or Foulden cheaper to live in?
Foulden is cheaper to run by car at $9,059 per year versus $9,728 for Erakala, a difference of $669 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Erakala and Foulden?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Erakala (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Foulden (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Erakala and $2,048 in Foulden. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Erakala and Foulden?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,214 from Erakala and $1,345 from Foulden to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Erakala and $192 from Foulden.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Erakala and Foulden?
At 3% annual cost growth, Erakala costs a cumulative $111,521 and Foulden costs $103,851 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,670 in favour of Foulden. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Erakala and Foulden 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.
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.