Foulden vs Glenella, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Foulden and Glenella are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 4.2 km and 6.3 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Foulden runs $987 a year cheaper than Glenella, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,315.
Over 10 years, Foulden costs about $11,300 less to run than Glenella. That's about $22 a week.
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Glenella
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Foulden | Glenella | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,391 | $2,028 | -$637 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,350 | $3,700 | -$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,255 | $9,242 | -$987 |
| 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 | Foulden | Glenella | 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, Foulden vs Glenella (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Foulden costs $987 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,315 in favour of Foulden.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $637 per year. Glenella is 6.3 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 Foulden versus $7,406 from Glenella.
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 $637 a year, $1,391 against $2,028.
- Building insurance favours Foulden 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 | Foulden cumulative | Glenella cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,255 | $9,242 | $987 |
| Year 3 | $25,515 | $28,566 | $3,051 |
| Year 5 | $43,827 | $49,067 | $5,240 |
| Year 10 | $94,634 | $105,949 | $11,315 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Foulden or Glenella cheaper to live in?
Foulden is cheaper to run by car at $8,255 per year versus $9,242 for Glenella, a difference of $987 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Foulden and Glenella?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Foulden (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Glenella (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Foulden and $2,048 in Glenella. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Foulden and Glenella?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,391 from Foulden and $2,028 from Glenella to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Foulden and $192 from Glenella.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Foulden and Glenella?
At 3% annual cost growth, Foulden costs a cumulative $94,634 and Glenella costs $105,949 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,315 in favour of Foulden. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Foulden and Glenella 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.