Mackay Harbour vs Slade Point, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mackay Harbour and Slade Point are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 4.9 km and 7.8 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mackay Harbour runs $853 a year cheaper than Slade Point, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,779.
Over 10 years, Mackay Harbour costs about $9,800 less to run than Slade Point. That's about $19 a week.
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Slade Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mackay Harbour | Slade Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,607 | $2,460 | -$853 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,700 | $3,700 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,000 | +$800 |
| Total (driving) | $8,821 | $9,674 | -$853 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,406 | $7,406 | - |
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 | Mackay Harbour | Slade Point | 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, Mackay Harbour vs Slade Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mackay Harbour costs $853 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,779 in favour of Mackay Harbour.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $853 per year. Slade Point is 7.8 km from Mackay CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,406 and $7,406 a year, so the $853 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Mackay Harbour by $853 a year, $1,607 against $2,460.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,700 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 4.3 in Mackay Harbour against 2.2 in Slade Point, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mackay Harbour cumulative | Slade Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,821 | $9,674 | $853 |
| Year 3 | $27,265 | $29,901 | $2,636 |
| Year 5 | $46,832 | $51,361 | $4,529 |
| Year 10 | $101,123 | $110,902 | $9,779 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mackay Harbour or Slade Point cheaper to live in?
Mackay Harbour is cheaper to run by car at $8,821 per year versus $9,674 for Slade Point, a difference of $853 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mackay Harbour and Slade Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Mackay Harbour (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Slade Point (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Mackay Harbour and $2,048 in Slade Point. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mackay Harbour and Slade Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,607 from Mackay Harbour and $2,460 from Slade Point to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mackay Harbour and $192 from Slade Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mackay Harbour and Slade Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mackay Harbour costs a cumulative $101,123 and Slade Point costs $110,902 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,779 in favour of Mackay Harbour. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mackay Harbour and Slade Point suits you better?
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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.