Mackenzie vs Mansfield: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mackenzie and Mansfield are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 12.9 km and 10.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mansfield runs $642 a year cheaper than Mackenzie, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,360.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Mackenzie
Mansfield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mackenzie | Mansfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,781 | $3,239 | +$542 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,800 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,531 | $8,889 | +$642 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,942 | $5,842 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Mackenzie | Mansfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
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 — Mackenzie vs Mansfield (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mansfield costs $642 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,360 in favour of Mansfield.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $542 per year. Mackenzie is 12.9 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,942 and $5,842 a year, so the $642 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $950 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mansfield by $542 a year, $3,239 against $3,781.
- Building insurance favours Mansfield by $100 a year, $2,800 against $2,900.
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 | Mackenzie cumulative | Mansfield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,531 | $8,889 | $642 |
| Year 3 | $29,459 | $27,475 | $1,984 |
| Year 5 | $50,601 | $47,193 | $3,408 |
| Year 10 | $109,262 | $101,902 | $7,360 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mackenzie or Mansfield cheaper to live in?
Mansfield is cheaper to run by car at $8,889 per year versus $9,531 for Mackenzie, a difference of $642 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mackenzie and Mansfield?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Mackenzie (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Mansfield (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Mackenzie and $1,900 in Mansfield. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mackenzie and Mansfield?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,781 from Mackenzie and $3,239 from Mansfield to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mackenzie and $192 from Mansfield.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mackenzie and Mansfield?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mackenzie costs a cumulative $109,262 and Mansfield costs $101,902 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,360 in favour of Mansfield. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mackenzie and Mansfield 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: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City 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.