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Map of North Mackay
3.1 km from Mackay CBD
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True annual cost of living in North Mackay, QLD 4740

Living in a house in North Mackay costs about $8,255 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. North Mackay sits 3.1 kilometres from Mackay CBD. Unit costs come in at $7,947, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,600 body corporate levy. Transport mode has the biggest effect on total cost in a suburb this close to the city.

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

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 86% of Mackay Regional Council suburbs, about 31% below the regional average.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $3,700, roughly 45% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $849 a year.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$8,255
Driving · per year
$688/month
About $159 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$7,947
Incl. body corporate
$662/month
About $153 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
−$308
Unit is cheaper per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Mackay Regional Council
$1,466
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Mackay Regional Council Water & Sewerage
$2,048
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 3.1km from Mackay CBD · 192 days
$1,041
Home insurance
Estimated flood Medium · fire Low
$3,700
Total annual running cost
$8,255
($688/month, $159/week)

Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Management Levy on your rates notice, $260 a year here (levy class A, 2026-27).

↓ 31% below Mackay Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 7.0/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 86% of Mackay Regional Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,140/yr
5,126 kWh
Unit
$1,770/yr
3,845 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for North Mackay'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 North Mackay

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Nearest hospital
North Mackay Private Hospital, 1,727 m away, about a 22 minute walk.
Supermarkets
1
Cafes
0
Parks
58
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.

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Frequently asked questions about North Mackay

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from North Mackay to Mackay CBD?

Public transport saves North Mackay residents $849 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $1,041 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in North Mackay?

North Mackay falls under Mackay Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,466 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,528 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in North Mackay?

Running a unit in North Mackay costs approximately $7,947 per year by car or $7,098 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,528, water and sewerage $2,048, estimated body corporate levy of $2,600, and contents insurance of $730. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is North Mackay close to public transport?

No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of North Mackay. The running cost on this page assumes driving, which is why the commute component is the largest line for most suburbs in this position.

What is the closest hospital to North Mackay?

The closest hospital to the centre of North Mackay is North Mackay Private Hospital, about 1,727 m away, about a 22 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 North Mackay?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of North Mackay there is 1 supermarket, 0 cafes and 58 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

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Data sources: Council rates: Mackay Regional Council 2026-27. Water: Mackay Regional 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.