True annual cost of living in Macleay Island, QLD 4184
Living in a house in Macleay Island costs about $12,933 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.
About $249 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$13,963
Incl. body corporate
$1,164/month
About $269 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$1,030
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Redland City Council
$1,436
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Redland City Council Water & Sewerage
$2,308
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 36.6km from CBD · 192 days
$6,939
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire High
$2,250
Body corporate
Estimated
$2,600
Total annual running cost
$12,933
($1,078/month, $249/week)
Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Management Levy on your rates notice, $127 a year here (levy class E, 2026-27).
↑ 6% above Redland City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●○○○○2.5/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 14% 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 2026-11-03. 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.
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.
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Annual cost breakdown
10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
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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: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data last verified September 2026. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.