Compare suburbs Suburbs Council rates Cost of living calculator Electricity calculator About Blog
Map of Macleay Island
36.6 km from CBD
Home  ·  Suburbs  ·  Redland City  ·  Macleay Island

True annual cost of living in Macleay Island, QLD 4184

Living in a house in Macleay Island costs about $13,783 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Macleay Island sits 36.6 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Unit costs reach $13,963, with the $2,600 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 36.6km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $6,747 more per year than public transport users.

Last updated July 2026 · Redland City Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Costs 6% more to run than the Redland City Council average, cheaper than only 27% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $6,939, roughly 50% of the annual total.
Bushfire risk is rated high here, which lifts home insurance. Full risk detail is in the free report.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$13,783
Driving · per year
$1,149/month
Unit annual cost
$13,963
Incl. body corporate
$1,164/month
House vs unit difference
+$180
Unit costs more per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Redland City Council 2026-27 · minimum rate
$1,436
Water & sewerage
Redland City Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27
$2,308
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 36.6km from CBD · 192 days
$6,939
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire High
$3,100
Total annual running cost
$13,783
($1,149/month)
↑ 6% above Redland City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○ 3.2/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 27% of Redland City Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,135/yr
5,126 kWh
Unit
$1,776/yr
3,845 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Macleay Island's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Getting around Macleay Island

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Macleay Island, platform 2, 2,402 m away, about a 30 minute walk. It is a ferry stop.
Nearest hospital
Redlands Satellite Hospital, 5,268 m away, about a 66 minute walk.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
0
Parks
5
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-08-07. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.

Compare Macleay Island with another suburb

Frequently asked questions about Macleay Island

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Macleay Island to the CBD?

Public transport saves Macleay Island residents $6,747 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,939 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in Macleay Island?

Macleay Island falls under Redland City Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,436 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,436 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in Macleay Island?

Running a unit in Macleay Island costs approximately $13,963 per year by car or $7,216 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,436, water and sewerage $2,308, estimated body corporate levy of $2,600, and contents insurance of $680. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Macleay Island close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Macleay Island is Macleay Island, platform 2, a ferry stop about 2,402 m away, about a 30 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.

What is the closest hospital to Macleay Island?

The closest hospital to the centre of Macleay Island is Redlands Satellite Hospital, about 5,268 m away, about a 66 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.

What shops and parks are in Macleay Island?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Macleay Island there are 0 supermarkets, 0 cafes and 5 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

Compare up to five suburbs.

Free 5-page PDF report. Enter your suburbs below.

Included:
Annual cost breakdown
10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
Crime risk ratings
AI suburb recommendations
Up to 5 suburbs, side by side
I'm looking at a
When are you planning to buy or move?
We'll never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.
Opening your report…
Your report is opening in a new tab. Check your inbox if it doesn't appear within a minute.
Data sources: Council rates: Redland City Council 2026-27. Water: Redland City Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.