McEwens Beach vs Rosella, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
McEwens Beach and Rosella are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 10 km and 11 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $157 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $1,800, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Rosella
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | McEwens Beach | Rosella | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,058 | $3,315 | -$257 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,700 | $3,600 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,272 | $10,429 | -$157 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,406 | $7,306 | +$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 | McEwens Beach | Rosella | 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, McEwens Beach vs Rosella (2026-27)
What the numbers show
McEwens Beach and Rosella differ by $157 a year by car, but $100 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $257, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $257 per year. Rosella is 11 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 $7,306 a year, so the $157 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 McEwens Beach by $257 a year, $3,058 against $3,315.
- Building insurance favours Rosella by $100 a year, $3,600 against $3,700.
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 | McEwens Beach cumulative | Rosella cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,272 | $10,429 | $157 |
| Year 3 | $31,750 | $32,235 | $485 |
| Year 5 | $54,535 | $55,369 | $834 |
| Year 10 | $117,757 | $119,557 | $1,800 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is McEwens Beach or Rosella cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. McEwens Beach runs $10,272 a year by car and Rosella $10,429, but most of the $157 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $257. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in McEwens Beach and Rosella?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in McEwens Beach (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Rosella (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in McEwens Beach and $2,048 in Rosella. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between McEwens Beach and Rosella?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,058 from McEwens Beach and $3,315 from Rosella to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from McEwens Beach and $192 from Rosella.
What is the 10-year cost difference between McEwens Beach and Rosella?
At 3% annual cost growth, McEwens Beach costs a cumulative $117,757 and Rosella costs $119,557 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,800 in favour of McEwens Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of McEwens Beach and Rosella suits you better?
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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.