Mackenzie vs Wishart: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mackenzie and Wishart are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 12.9 km and 12.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wishart runs $386 a year cheaper than Mackenzie, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,425.
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
Wishart
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mackenzie | Wishart | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,656 | $3,470 | +$186 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,700 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,035 | $9,649 | +$386 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,571 | $6,371 | +$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Mackenzie | Wishart | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 Wishart (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wishart costs $386 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,425 in favour of Wishart.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,571 from Mackenzie versus $6,371 from Wishart.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mackenzie cumulative | Wishart cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,035 | $9,649 | $386 |
| Year 3 | $31,017 | $29,824 | $1,193 |
| Year 5 | $53,277 | $51,228 | $2,049 |
| Year 10 | $115,040 | $110,615 | $4,425 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mackenzie or Wishart cheaper to live in?
Wishart is cheaper to run by car at $9,649 per year versus $10,035 for Mackenzie, a difference of $386 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mackenzie and Wishart?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Mackenzie (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 in Wishart (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Mackenzie and $1,900 in Wishart. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mackenzie and Wishart?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,656 from Mackenzie and $3,470 from Wishart to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mackenzie and $192 from Wishart.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mackenzie and Wishart?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mackenzie costs a cumulative $115,040 and Wishart costs $110,615 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,425 in favour of Wishart. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mackenzie and Wishart 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.