Paget vs South Mackay, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Paget and South Mackay are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 4.6 km and 2.1 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
South Mackay runs $450 a year cheaper than Paget, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,159.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $5,200, about $10 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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South Mackay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Paget | South Mackay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,515 | $715 | +$800 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,350 | $3,700 | -$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,379 | $7,929 | +$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,056 | $7,406 | -$350 |
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 | Paget | South Mackay | 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, Paget vs South Mackay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Paget and South Mackay differ by $450 a year by car, but $350 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 $800, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $800 per year. Paget is 4.6 km from Mackay CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $7,056 from Paget versus $7,406 from South Mackay.
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 South Mackay by $800 a year, $715 against $1,515.
- Building insurance favours Paget by $350 a year, $3,350 against $3,700.
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 | Paget cumulative | South Mackay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,379 | $7,929 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $25,899 | $24,508 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $44,485 | $42,096 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $96,056 | $90,897 | $5,159 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paget or South Mackay cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Paget runs $8,379 a year by car and South Mackay $7,929, but most of the $450 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $800. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Paget and South Mackay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Paget (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in South Mackay (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Paget and $2,048 in South Mackay. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Paget and South Mackay?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,515 from Paget and $715 from South Mackay to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Paget and $192 from South Mackay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Paget and South Mackay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Paget costs a cumulative $96,056 and South Mackay costs $90,897 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,159 in favour of South Mackay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Paget and South Mackay 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.