True annual cost of living in Owens Creek, QLD 4741
Living in a house in Owens Creek costs about $13,758 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Owens Creek sits 50.1 kilometres from Mackay CBD. Unit costs come in at $12,240, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,400 body corporate levy. At 50.1km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $6,352 more per year than public transport users.
About $265 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$12,240
Incl. body corporate
$1,020/month
About $235 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
−$1,518
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 · 50.1km from Mackay CBD · 192 days
$6,544
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire Low
$3,700
Body corporate
Estimated
$1,400
Total annual running cost
$13,758
($1,147/month, $265/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).
↑ 15% above Mackay Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○4.3/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 10% 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 Owens Creek'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 Owens Creek
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
0
Parks
0
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.
Compare Owens Creek with another suburb
Nearby: No nearby suburbs with data found
Frequently asked questions about Owens Creek
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Owens Creek to Mackay CBD?
Public transport saves Owens Creek residents $6,352 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,544 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Owens Creek?
Owens Creek 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 Owens Creek?
Running a unit in Owens Creek costs approximately $12,240 per year by car or $5,888 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,528, water and sewerage $2,048, estimated body corporate levy of $1,400, and contents insurance of $720. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Owens Creek close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Owens Creek. 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 shops and parks are in Owens Creek?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Owens Creek there are 0 supermarkets, 0 cafes and 0 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
Flood & fire risk ratings
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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.