North Maclean vs South Maclean, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
North Maclean and South Maclean are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 33.2 km and 36.3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $292 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 $3,300, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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South Maclean
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | North Maclean | South Maclean | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,699 | $1,699 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,787 | $6,929 | -$142 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,300 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,785 | $13,077 | -$292 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,190 | $6,340 | -$150 |
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 | North Maclean | South Maclean | 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, North Maclean vs South Maclean (2026-27)
What the numbers show
North Maclean and South Maclean differ by $292 a year by car, but $150 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 $142, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,190 and $6,340 a year, so the $292 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,699 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,149 a year.
- Driving commute favours North Maclean by $142 a year, $6,787 against $6,929.
- Building insurance favours North Maclean by $150 a year, $2,150 against $2,300.
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.
The catchment state school scores 5.9 in North Maclean against 4.8 in South Maclean, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | North Maclean cumulative | South Maclean cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,785 | $13,077 | $292 |
| Year 3 | $39,517 | $40,420 | $903 |
| Year 5 | $67,877 | $69,428 | $1,551 |
| Year 10 | $146,566 | $149,913 | $3,347 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Maclean or South Maclean cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. North Maclean runs $12,785 a year by car and South Maclean $13,077, but most of the $292 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $142. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in North Maclean and South Maclean?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 in North Maclean (Logan City Council) and $1,699 in South Maclean (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in North Maclean and $2,149 in South Maclean. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between North Maclean and South Maclean?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,787 from North Maclean and $6,929 from South Maclean to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from North Maclean and $192 from South Maclean.
What is the 10-year cost difference between North Maclean and South Maclean?
At 3% annual cost growth, North Maclean costs a cumulative $146,566 and South Maclean costs $149,913 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,347 in favour of North Maclean. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of North Maclean and South Maclean suits you better?
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Sources: Logan City Council and Logan City 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.