East Mackay vs Mackay

Mackay (median $466,000) is roughly 10% cheaper to buy into than East Mackay ($515,000).

Buying in East Mackay or Mackay?

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East Mackay and Mackay side by side

MeasureEast MackayMackay
Price and market
Median house$515,000$466,000
Median unit$305,000$301,000
Renting
House rent–$340/wk
Unit rent$450/wk$480/wk
Owner occupied59.0%31.0%
Renter occupied37.0%64.0%
Schools
Schools nearby2020
Average ICSEA977982
Lifestyle and people
Walk score4100
Transit score00
Bike score100100
Population3,7254,026
Median age4238
Climate
Annual rainfall1507 mm1507 mm
Mean max, January30.7°C30.7°C

Green dot: better on that measure (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk). Each suburb’s profile gives the source and period of its figures.

Which suits whom

Mackay scores higher on walkability (4/100 vs 100/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Mackay (982) sits above East Mackay (977). East Mackay skews owner-occupied (59%), Mackay runs more rental-dense (31% owner).

For buyers
Mackay is the lower entry point at $466,000 median, 10% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Rental or growth data is incomplete for one or both suburbs. Look at the full investor view on each suburb profile for a complete picture.
For families
Mackay edges out on average school ICSEA (982 vs 977). East Mackay also has a higher family-household share (63% vs 46%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.

East Mackay vs Mackay: common questions

Is East Mackay or Mackay cheaper to buy in?

Mackay has the lower median house price at $466,000, roughly 10% below East Mackay ($515,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Does East Mackay or Mackay have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Mackay scores 982 vs 977 in East Mackay. ICSEA is a school-community indicator, not a quality rating, so always check NAPLAN results and catchment boundaries for the specific address you're considering.

Which is more walkable, East Mackay or Mackay?

Mackay scores 100/100 on walkability vs 4/100. Above 70 is considered very walkable (most errands on foot), 50-69 is walkable for some errands, below 50 typically requires a car for daily life.