Mackenzie vs Mansfield: true annual running costs compared (2026)
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.
Mackenzie
Mansfield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mackenzie | Mansfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,519 | $1,519 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,824 | $1,824 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,090 | $904 | +$186 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,800 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,333 | $7,047 | +$286 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,435 | $6,335 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Mackenzie vs Mansfield (2025-26)
What the numbers show
Mackenzie and Mansfield cost within $286 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,279, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $186 per year. Mackenzie is 12.9 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
Public transport equalises the comparison: both suburbs pay a flat $192 annual PT fare, so the $286 driving gap narrows to $100 under PT. If you rely on public transport, the two suburbs cost almost the same to run annually.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mackenzie cumulative | Mansfield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,333 | $7,047 | $286 |
| Year 3 | $22,666 | $21,782 | $884 |
| Year 5 | $38,932 | $37,413 | $1,519 |
| Year 10 | $84,065 | $80,786 | $3,279 |
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 $7,047 per year versus $7,333 for Mackenzie — a difference of $286 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2025-26 data.
What are council rates in Mackenzie and Mansfield?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,519 in Mackenzie (Brisbane City Council 2025-26) and $1,519 in Mansfield (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). Water and sewerage adds $1,824 in Mackenzie and $1,824 in Mansfield.
How does the commute cost compare between Mackenzie and Mansfield?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,090 from Mackenzie and $904 from Mansfield to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km, 220 working days). 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 $84,065 and Mansfield costs $80,786 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,279 in favour of Mansfield. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Compare Mackenzie and Mansfield in the tool
The SuburbCost comparison tool shows the full annual cost breakdown for both suburbs side by side. Toggle between driving and public transport to see which suburb comes out ahead for your commuting pattern.
Open comparison →Related comparisons
Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City Council rate schedules 2025-26, Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater 2025-26, ATO 88c/km, SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2025.