Racecourse vs West Mackay: 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 West Mackay are both Mackay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 5.4 km and 2.5 km from Mackay CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $86 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 these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Racecourse
West Mackay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Racecourse | West Mackay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,466 | $1,466 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,048 | $2,048 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,760 | $846 | +$914 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $5,800 | -$1,000 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,074 | $10,160 | -$86 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,506 | $9,506 | -$1,000 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Racecourse | West 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 — Racecourse vs West Mackay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Racecourse and West Mackay cost within $86 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $986, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,000 per year. West Mackay carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,000 per year, $8,506 from Racecourse versus $9,506 from West 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 West Mackay by $914 a year, $846 against $1,760.
- Building insurance favours Racecourse by $1,000 a year, $4,800 against $5,800.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in West Mackay against low in Racecourse, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Racecourse cumulative | West Mackay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,074 | $10,160 | $86 |
| Year 3 | $31,138 | $31,404 | $266 |
| Year 5 | $53,484 | $53,941 | $457 |
| Year 10 | $115,487 | $116,473 | $986 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Racecourse or West Mackay cheaper to live in?
Racecourse is cheaper to run by car at $10,074 per year versus $10,160 for West Mackay, a difference of $86 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Racecourse and West Mackay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,466 in Racecourse (Mackay Regional Council) and $1,466 in West Mackay (Mackay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,048 in Racecourse and $2,048 in West Mackay. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Racecourse and West Mackay?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,760 from Racecourse and $846 from West Mackay to Mackay CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Racecourse and $192 from West Mackay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Racecourse and West Mackay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Racecourse costs a cumulative $115,487 and West Mackay costs $116,473 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $986 in favour of Racecourse. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Racecourse and West Mackay 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.