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 the gap between these two is about $1,500, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Paget
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ooralea | Paget | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,850 | $1,515 | +$335 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,150 | $3,350 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,514 | $8,379 | +$135 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,856 | $7,056 | -$200 |
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 | 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 differ by $135 a year by car, but $200 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 $335, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
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, $6,856 from Ooralea versus $7,056 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, $3,150 against $3,350.
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 | $8,514 | $8,379 | $135 |
| Year 3 | $26,316 | $25,899 | $417 |
| Year 5 | $45,202 | $44,485 | $717 |
| Year 10 | $97,603 | $96,056 | $1,547 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ooralea or Paget cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Ooralea runs $8,514 a year by car and Paget $8,379, but most of the $135 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $335. 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 $97,603 and Paget costs $96,056 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,547 in favour of Paget. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ooralea and Paget 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.