Foulden vs Racecourse, 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 Racecourse are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 4.2 km and 5.4 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Foulden runs $719 a year cheaper than Racecourse, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,243.
Over 10 years, Foulden costs about $8,200 less to run than Racecourse. That's about $16 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Foulden
Racecourse
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Foulden | Racecourse | 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 | $1,760 | -$369 |
| 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 | $8,974 | -$719 |
| 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 | Racecourse | 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 Racecourse (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Foulden costs $719 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,243 in favour of Foulden.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $369 per year. Racecourse is 5.4 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 Racecourse.
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 $369 a year, $1,391 against $1,760.
- 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 | Racecourse cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,255 | $8,974 | $719 |
| Year 3 | $25,515 | $27,738 | $2,223 |
| Year 5 | $43,827 | $47,644 | $3,817 |
| Year 10 | $94,634 | $102,877 | $8,243 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Foulden or Racecourse cheaper to live in?
Foulden is cheaper to run by car at $8,255 per year versus $8,974 for Racecourse, a difference of $719 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Foulden and Racecourse?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Foulden (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Racecourse (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Foulden and $2,048 in Racecourse. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Foulden and Racecourse?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,391 from Foulden and $1,760 from Racecourse to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Foulden and $192 from Racecourse.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Foulden and Racecourse?
At 3% annual cost growth, Foulden costs a cumulative $94,634 and Racecourse costs $102,877 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,243 in favour of Foulden. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Foulden and Racecourse suits you better?
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.
Related comparisons
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.