Maclagan vs North Maclagan, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Maclagan and North Maclagan are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 62.5 km and 64.7 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
North Maclagan runs $554 a year cheaper than Maclagan, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,351.
Over 10 years, North Maclagan costs about $6,400 less to run than Maclagan. That's about $12 a week.
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North Maclagan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Maclagan | North Maclagan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,778 | $4,324 | +$454 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $2,150 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,600 | $1,500 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $10,660 | $10,106 | +$554 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,074 | $5,974 | +$100 |
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 | Maclagan | North Maclagan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,274 | $2,274 | - |
| Unit | $1,870 | $1,870 | - |
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, Maclagan vs North Maclagan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
North Maclagan costs $554 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,351 in favour of North Maclagan.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $454 per year. North Maclagan is 64.7 km from Toowoomba CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,074 and $5,974 a year, so the $554 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,444 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,188 a year.
- Driving commute favours North Maclagan by $454 a year, $4,324 against $4,778.
- Building insurance favours North Maclagan by $100 a year, $2,150 against $2,250.
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 | Maclagan cumulative | North Maclagan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,660 | $10,106 | $554 |
| Year 3 | $32,949 | $31,237 | $1,712 |
| Year 5 | $56,595 | $53,654 | $2,941 |
| Year 10 | $122,205 | $115,854 | $6,351 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Maclagan or North Maclagan cheaper to live in?
North Maclagan is cheaper to run by car at $10,106 per year versus $10,660 for Maclagan, a difference of $554 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Maclagan and North Maclagan?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Maclagan (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in North Maclagan (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Maclagan and $2,188 in North Maclagan. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Maclagan and North Maclagan?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,778 from Maclagan and $4,324 from North Maclagan to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Maclagan and $192 from North Maclagan.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Maclagan and North Maclagan?
At 3% annual cost growth, Maclagan costs a cumulative $122,205 and North Maclagan costs $115,854 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,351 in favour of North Maclagan. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Maclagan and North Maclagan suits you better?
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Sources: Toowoomba Regional Council and Toowoomba 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.