Foulden vs West Mackay, 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 West Mackay are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 4.2 km and 2.5 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $195 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,200, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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West Mackay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Foulden | West Mackay | 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 | $846 | +$545 |
| 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 | $8,060 | +$195 |
| 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 | West Mackay | 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 West Mackay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Foulden and West Mackay differ by $195 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 $545, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $545 per year. Foulden is 4.2 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 West Mackay.
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 West Mackay by $545 a year, $846 against $1,391.
- 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.
Flood risk is rated medium in West Mackay against low in Foulden, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Foulden cumulative | West Mackay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,255 | $8,060 | $195 |
| Year 3 | $25,515 | $24,913 | $602 |
| Year 5 | $43,827 | $42,792 | $1,035 |
| Year 10 | $94,634 | $92,399 | $2,235 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Foulden or West Mackay cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Foulden runs $8,255 a year by car and West Mackay $8,060, but most of the $195 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $545. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Foulden and West Mackay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Foulden (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in West Mackay (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Foulden and $2,048 in West Mackay. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Foulden and West Mackay?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,391 from Foulden and $846 from West Mackay to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Foulden and $192 from West Mackay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Foulden and West Mackay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Foulden costs a cumulative $94,634 and West Mackay costs $92,399 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,235 in favour of West Mackay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Foulden and West Mackay 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.