Is it expensive to live in West Mackay?

A typical local household earned about $1,696 a week at the last Census. At the current median house price of $672,500, buying a house in West Mackay works out to about 7.6 times a typical local annual household income, which sits well above local incomes on these figures. If you are renting, a house rent of $650 a week would take about 38% of that weekly income and a unit rent of $520 a week about 31%, so rent would also take a sizeable share of a typical local household's income. On the figures, buying looks more stretched against local incomes than renting, and whether that feels expensive depends on your own income and circumstances. Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

Is West Mackay a good place to invest?

Unit values in West Mackay jumped 34.2% over the past 12 months, while house values rose 16.2%. Unit rents also increased, up a solid 8.3% in the same period. That means, for units, capital growth has outpaced rental income; houses showed notable value growth over the period as well. This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

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West Mackay suburb profile

West Mackay is an inner suburb of Mackay in Queensland's Mackay region, near the Pioneer River and a short drive from the city centre. The area has a relaxed suburban character with easy access to riverside parkland, walking paths and sports fields that shape local recreation.

Housing combines classic timber Queenslander cottages, low-set brick homes and pockets of newer infill set along established, tree-lined streets. Local shops, community facilities and schools are close by, and arterial roads connect the suburb with the wider Mackay area and regional services.

West Mackay property market performance

Current median dwelling price$543,750Past 3 months

Property growth+25.2%Past 12 months

West Mackay's median house price is $672,500 and house values rose 16.2% over the last 12 months, a sharp increase. There is no reliable median unit price because too few units have sold recently for a median to be published. Houses had a median 17 days on market over the last 12 months, while units sold more quickly with a median 8 days.

In West Mackay the average house rent is $650 a week. Unit rents rose 8.3% over the last 12 months, a solid increase, and units rented on average for $520 a week.

	Houses	Units
Median price Past 3 months	$673K	N/A
Change in value Past 12 months	16.2%	34.2%
Sold Past 3 months	20	7
Median days on market Past 12 months	17	8
Average rent Past 12 months	$650	$520
Change in rent Past 12 months	N/A	8.3%

5 year median price trend for houses and units

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West Mackay demographics

West Mackay is an older community.

Couples without children are the largest family group, at 42.7% of families, and most homes are owner-occupied (64.4%). At the 2021 Census, 6,536 people lived in West Mackay.

West Mackay and Queensland

	Suburb	QLD
Median age years	42	38
Median household income weekly	$1,696	$1,675
Couples with children share of families	39.5%	41.2%
Couples without children share of families	42.7%	40.3%
One-parent families share of families	16.5%	16.8%
Homes owned outright share of homes	30.4%	30.1%
Homes with a mortgage share of homes	34.0%	35.6%
Homes rented share of homes	35.6%	34.3%

Source: ABS 2021 Census. Shares of homes exclude other and not-stated tenure.

West Mackay infrastructure, key developments and investment opportunities

West Mackay’s Paradise and Webberley streets intersection upgrade was completed in 2025, with traffic signals installed at the junction. The Ron Camm/Pioneer River levee project progressed in 2024, when departmental consent was granted for geotechnical investigation, and design funding was listed in the 2024–25 council budget; the project proposes a training-wall levee along the Pioneer River near the Ron Camm Bridge.

Suburbs near West Mackay

Some popular suburbs near West Mackay include:

How does West Mackay compare to nearby suburbs?

Median house prices: West Mackay’s median house price is 5.9% higher than South Mackay’s.
Median unit prices: West Mackay’s median unit price is 31.7% higher than Mackay’s.
House price growth: Over the past 12 months, house prices in West Mackay have grown 7.2% higher than in Ooralea.
Unit price growth: Over the past 12 months, unit prices in West Mackay have grown 14.5% higher than in South Mackay.
Selling speed for houses: Properties in West Mackay are selling 41.4% faster than in Mackay.
Selling speed for units: Properties in West Mackay are selling 42.9% faster than in South Mackay.

Common questions about West Mackay

Is West Mackay a nice place to live?
West Mackay sits beside the Pioneer River and features riverside parkland, walking paths and sports fields that shape local recreation.

It is an older community where couples without children are the largest family group and most homes are owner-occupied (64.4%). Local shops, community facilities and schools are close by and arterial roads connect the suburb with the wider Mackay area, and the Ron Camm/Pioneer River levee project has departmental consent for geotechnical investigation and is listed for design funding, proposing a training-wall levee along the Pioneer River near the Ron Camm Bridge.
Is it expensive to live in West Mackay?
A typical local household earned about $1,696 a week at the last Census. At the current median house price of $672,500, buying a house in West Mackay works out to about 7.6 times a typical local annual household income, which sits well above local incomes on these figures.

If you are renting, a house rent of $650 a week would take about 38% of that weekly income and a unit rent of $520 a week about 31%, so rent would also take a sizeable share of a typical local household's income. On the figures, buying looks more stretched against local incomes than renting, and whether that feels expensive depends on your own income and circumstances.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.
Is West Mackay a good place to invest?
Unit values in West Mackay jumped 34.2% over the past 12 months, while house values rose 16.2%. Unit rents also increased, up a solid 8.3% in the same period.

That means, for units, capital growth has outpaced rental income; houses showed notable value growth over the period as well.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

Choose the right real estate agents in West Mackay

Currently, there are 55 real estate agents working in West Mackay—but not all agents deliver the same results. The right agent could make a huge difference to your final sale price.

Only 5 out of these 55 agents sold 34.2% of all properties in West Mackay over the past year. Choosing one of these top-performing agents means tapping into proven expertise for a better sale outcome.

Real estate agents in West Mackay typically charge a commission of 1% to 3.13%. Negotiating a fair commission rate and the right structure can motivate your agent to work even harder, helping you sell for more and potentially saving you thousands of dollars.

Get a head start and compare top local agents in West Mackay

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