Ooralea vs Racecourse: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ooralea and Racecourse are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 5.7 km and 5.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Ooralea runs $713 a year cheaper than Racecourse, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,174.
Over 10 years, Ooralea costs about $8,200 less to run than Racecourse — the same as paying $8,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Racecourse
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ooralea | Racecourse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,789 | $1,702 | +$87 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,000 | $4,800 | -$800 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,303 | $10,016 | -$713 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,706 | $8,506 | -$800 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Ooralea | Racecourse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 Racecourse (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ooralea costs $713 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,174 in favour of Ooralea.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $800 per year.
On public transport the gap is $800 per year, $7,706 from Ooralea versus $8,506 from Racecourse.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ooralea cumulative | Racecourse cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,303 | $10,016 | $713 |
| Year 3 | $28,755 | $30,958 | $2,203 |
| Year 5 | $49,391 | $53,176 | $3,785 |
| Year 10 | $106,648 | $114,822 | $8,174 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ooralea or Racecourse cheaper to live in?
Ooralea is cheaper to run by car at $9,303 per year versus $10,016 for Racecourse, a difference of $713 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ooralea and Racecourse?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Ooralea (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Racecourse (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Ooralea and $2,048 in Racecourse. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Ooralea and Racecourse?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,789 from Ooralea and $1,702 from Racecourse to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ooralea and $192 from Racecourse.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ooralea and Racecourse?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ooralea costs a cumulative $106,648 and Racecourse costs $114,822 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,174 in favour of Ooralea. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ooralea and Racecourse 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Mackay Regional Council and Mackay Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.