Ooralea vs Paget: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ooralea and Paget are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 5.7 km and 4.6 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $135 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 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 →Ooralea
Paget
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ooralea | Paget | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,850 | $1,515 | +$335 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,000 | $4,200 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,364 | $9,229 | +$135 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,706 | $7,906 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Ooralea | Paget | 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 — Ooralea vs Paget (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ooralea and Paget cost within $135 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,548, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $335 per year. Ooralea is 5.7 km from Mackay CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,706 from Ooralea versus $7,906 from Paget.
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 Paget by $335 a year, $1,515 against $1,850.
- Building insurance favours Ooralea by $200 a year, $4,000 against $4,200.
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 | Ooralea cumulative | Paget cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,364 | $9,229 | $135 |
| Year 3 | $28,943 | $28,526 | $417 |
| Year 5 | $49,715 | $48,998 | $717 |
| Year 10 | $107,348 | $105,800 | $1,548 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ooralea or Paget cheaper to live in?
Paget is cheaper to run by car at $9,229 per year versus $9,364 for Ooralea, a difference of $135 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ooralea and Paget?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Ooralea (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Paget (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Ooralea and $2,048 in Paget. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Ooralea and Paget?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,850 from Ooralea and $1,515 from Paget to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ooralea and $192 from Paget.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ooralea and Paget?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ooralea costs a cumulative $107,348 and Paget costs $105,800 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,548 in favour of Paget. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ooralea and Paget 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.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.