Racecourse 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
Racecourse and Te Kowai are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 5.4 km and 7.8 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Racecourse runs $700 a year cheaper than Te Kowai, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,025.
Over 10 years, Racecourse costs about $8,000 less to run than Te Kowai — the same as paying $8,000 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 →Racecourse
Te Kowai
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Racecourse | Te Kowai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,760 | $2,460 | -$700 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $1,800 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $10,074 | $10,774 | -$700 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,506 | $8,506 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Racecourse | 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 — Racecourse vs Te Kowai (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Racecourse costs $700 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,025 in favour of Racecourse.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $700 per year. Te Kowai is 7.8 km from Mackay CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,506 and $8,506 a year, so the $700 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Racecourse by $700 a year, $1,760 against $2,460.
- Building insurance is identical at $4,800 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 5.5 in Racecourse against 4 in Te Kowai, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Racecourse cumulative | Te Kowai cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,074 | $10,774 | $700 |
| Year 3 | $31,138 | $33,301 | $2,163 |
| Year 5 | $53,484 | $57,201 | $3,717 |
| Year 10 | $115,487 | $123,512 | $8,025 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Racecourse or Te Kowai cheaper to live in?
Racecourse is cheaper to run by car at $10,074 per year versus $10,774 for Te Kowai, a difference of $700 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Racecourse and Te Kowai?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Racecourse (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in Te Kowai (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Racecourse 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 Racecourse and Te Kowai?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,760 from Racecourse and $2,460 from Te Kowai to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Racecourse and $192 from Te Kowai.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Racecourse and Te Kowai?
At 3% annual cost growth, Racecourse costs a cumulative $115,487 and Te Kowai costs $123,512 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,025 in favour of Racecourse. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Racecourse 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.