True annual cost of living in South Mackay, QLD 4740
Living in a house in South Mackay costs about $9,029 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. South Mackay sits 2.1 kilometres from Mackay CBD. Unit costs come in at $7,191, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,200 body corporate levy. Transport mode has the biggest effect on total cost in a suburb this close to the city.
Cheaper to run than 97% 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 South 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 South Mackay
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Mackay, 2,391 m away, about a 30 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Nearest hospital
Blue Care Respite Care, 264 m away, about a 3 minute walk.
Supermarkets
2
Cafes
1
Parks
68
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.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from South Mackay to Mackay CBD?
Public transport saves South Mackay residents $523 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $715 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in South Mackay?
South 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 South Mackay?
Running a unit in South Mackay costs approximately $7,191 per year by car or $6,668 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,528, water and sewerage $2,048, estimated body corporate levy of $2,200, and contents insurance of $700. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is South Mackay close to public transport?
The nearest scheduled service to the centre of South Mackay is Mackay, a train stop about 2,391 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 South Mackay?
The closest hospital to the centre of South Mackay is Blue Care Respite Care, about 264 m away, about a 3 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 South Mackay?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of South Mackay there are 2 supermarkets, 1 cafe and 68 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: 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.