Research only. Not financial advice. Data: Q1 2025 indicative estimates from public sources. Verify independently.
Mackay offers a materially higher gross yield (6.0% vs 4.4%), making it the stronger income candidate at current prices. Mackay achieves positive cashflow without negative gearing support, while Townsville requires additional tax offset or rental growth to break even.
Research context only. Not financial advice. Both markets carry distinct risks specific to their location, employment base, and economic profile. Read the individual suburb research pages before drawing conclusions. All policy references reflect proposed changes subject to final legislation.
| Metric | Mackay QLD · #4 | Townsville QLD · #16 |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Yield | 6.0% | 4.4% |
| Vacancy Rate | 0.8% | 1.2% |
| Median Price | $515k | $595k |
| Weekly Rent | $590/wk | $500/wk |
| Net pre-costs pa | +$3,900 | $-4,940 |
| Cashflow | Positive | Slightly-Negative |
| Rent Growth 12m | +7% | +7.8% |
| Price Growth 12m | +5.5% | +10.4% |
| NG Dependence | None | Medium |
| Discovery Status | Emerging | Emerging |
| Population | 78k | 180k |
| Cycle Stage | Early-Mid | Early-Mid |
| Policy Impact | ▲ UPGRADED | ◆ NEUTRAL |
| Signal Score | 70 / Tier 2 | 57 / Tier 2 |
6.0% yield is cashflow positive. Mackay is the service hub for Australia's most productive coking coal basin. FIFO workers create reliable accommodation demand. Vacancy at 0.8% is very tight. $590/wk rent on $515k price sits well in positive cashflow territory.
Townsville is North Queensland's largest city and a significant ADF hub — Lavarack Barracks (Army) and RAAF Base Townsville. James Cook University and Townsville University Hospital underpin stable public-sector employment. The market has recovered materially from its 2015–2019 downturn. At $595k and $500/wk, cashflow is slightly negative at standard LVR — not the positive-cashflow market it was two years ago, but yield of 4.4% remains competitive for a city of this scale.
CoreLogic QLD Q1 2025 · REIQ Mackay Q4 2024 · SQM Research · Queensland Resources Council 2024 · Isaac Regional Council infrastructure report 2024
Data vintage: Q1 2025
REIQ/PropTrack 2025 region estimate. Verify against current REIQ data before publishing. Data quality: imported.
Data vintage: 2026
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Research only. Not financial advice. Data vintage Q1 2025 (indicative estimates from public sources). Verify all metrics independently with local property managers and licensed advisers before making any investment decision. All negative gearing and budget policy references reflect proposed changes subject to final legislation. Consult a registered tax adviser for personal tax position.