Erakala vs Foulden: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Erakala and Foulden are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 7.2 km and 4.2 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Foulden runs $698 a year cheaper than Erakala, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,001.
Over 10 years, Foulden costs about $8,000 less to run than Erakala — the same as paying $8,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Foulden
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Erakala | Foulden | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,289 | $1,391 | +$898 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,000 | $4,200 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,803 | $9,105 | +$698 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,706 | $7,906 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Erakala | Foulden | 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 — Erakala vs Foulden (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Foulden costs $698 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,001 in favour of Foulden.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $898 per year. Erakala is 7.2 km from Mackay CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,706 from Erakala versus $7,906 from Foulden.
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 Foulden by $898 a year, $1,391 against $2,289.
- Building insurance favours Erakala by $200 a year, $4,000 against $4,200.
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.
The catchment state school scores 5.4 in Foulden against 4.4 in Erakala, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Erakala cumulative | Foulden cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,803 | $9,105 | $698 |
| Year 3 | $30,300 | $28,143 | $2,157 |
| Year 5 | $52,045 | $48,340 | $3,705 |
| Year 10 | $112,380 | $104,379 | $8,001 |
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 $9,105 per year versus $9,803 for Erakala, a difference of $698 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $2,289 from Erakala and $1,391 from Foulden to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/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 $112,380 and Foulden costs $104,379 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,001 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.