Ooralea vs Te Kowai: 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 Te Kowai are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 5.7 km and 7.8 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Ooralea runs $1,410 a year cheaper than Te Kowai, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $16,164.
Over 10 years, Ooralea costs about $16,200 less to run than Te Kowai — the same as paying $16,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Ooralea
Te Kowai
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ooralea | Te Kowai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,850 | $2,460 | -$610 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,000 | $4,800 | -$800 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $1,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,364 | $10,774 | -$1,410 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,706 | $8,506 | -$800 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Ooralea | Te Kowai | 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 Te Kowai (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ooralea costs $1,410 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $16,164 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 Te Kowai.
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 Ooralea by $610 a year, $1,850 against $2,460.
- Building insurance favours Ooralea by $800 a year, $4,000 against $4,800.
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 | Te Kowai cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,364 | $10,774 | $1,410 |
| Year 3 | $28,943 | $33,301 | $4,358 |
| Year 5 | $49,715 | $57,201 | $7,486 |
| Year 10 | $107,348 | $123,512 | $16,164 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ooralea or Te Kowai cheaper to live in?
Ooralea is cheaper to run by car at $9,364 per year versus $10,774 for Te Kowai, a difference of $1,410 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ooralea and Te Kowai?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Ooralea (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Te Kowai (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Ooralea and $2,048 in Te Kowai. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Ooralea and Te Kowai?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,850 from Ooralea and $2,460 from Te Kowai to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ooralea and $192 from Te Kowai.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ooralea and Te Kowai?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ooralea costs a cumulative $107,348 and Te Kowai costs $123,512 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $16,164 in favour of Ooralea. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ooralea and Te Kowai 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.