True annual cost of living in West Mackay, QLD 4740
Living in a house in West Mackay costs about $8,060 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. West Mackay sits 2.5 kilometres from Mackay CBD. Unit costs come in at $7,402, 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.
About $155 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$7,402
Incl. body corporate
$617/month
About $142 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
−$658
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 · 2.5km from Mackay CBD · 192 days
$846
Home insurance
Estimated flood Medium · fire Low
$3,700
Body corporate
Estimated
$2,200
Total annual running cost
$8,060
($672/month, $155/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).
↓ 33% below Mackay Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○7.3/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 87% 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 West 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 West Mackay
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Mackay, 2,247 m away, about a 28 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Nearest hospital
Mackay Base Hosiptal, 943 m away, about a 12 minute walk.
Supermarkets
3
Cafes
3
Parks
56
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 West Mackay to Mackay CBD?
Public transport saves West Mackay residents $654 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $846 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in West Mackay?
West 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 West Mackay?
Running a unit in West Mackay costs approximately $7,402 per year by car or $6,748 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 $780. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is West Mackay close to public transport?
The nearest scheduled service to the centre of West Mackay is Mackay, a train stop about 2,247 m away, about a 28 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 West Mackay?
The closest hospital to the centre of West Mackay is Mackay Base Hosiptal, about 943 m away, about a 12 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 West Mackay?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of West Mackay there are 3 supermarkets, 3 cafes and 56 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.