Investing in Mackay: Market and Rental Insights for 2026

Mackay is a stand-out for regional property price growth. Over the past 12 months since January 2025, the city has seen an increase of 17.17% in median house value.

The property market in Mackay has performed exceptionally over the past five years since 2021 with year-on-year capital growth, driven by high rental demand and limited housing supply. A strong projected population growth and significant development plans in the pipeline shows that Mackay offers investment opportunities that are hard to ignore.

An Overview of Mackay’s Property Market

• The median house price in Mackay is $744,302. The median unit price is $455,434.
• Mackay has an estimated vacancy rate of 1.43%.
• 27% of Mackay’s residents are renting.
• Investment properties in Mackay fetch an average rental yield of 4.37%.
• Properties in Mackay spend and average of 39 days on the market.
• Median weekly rent for houses and units in Mackay are $627 and $478 respectively.

Property market data as of January 2026 from Real Estate Investar, HTAG, and the Mackay Regional Council.

Mackay Property Prices

Property prices in Mackay have been steadily climbing over the past five years since January 2021. Increasing by 82.68% from 2021's median sale price (detached house) of $407,439, the median price in 2026 is $744,302. Despite the year-on-year capital growth, Mackay's house prices are still considerably lower than the Australia’s national median house price of $912,465.

Mackay's median house price also increased 17.17%% from January 2025-26. In the same period, the median unit price has increased by 17.03% to $455,434.

Mackay’s Rental Performance in 2026

Mackay’s rental market continues to grow through 2026:

• Median weekly house rent: $627 - a 7.55% increase from January 2025-26
• Median weekly unit rent: $478 - a 7.9% increase from January 2025-26
• The median rental yield in Mackay is 4.37% for houses and 5.44% for units.

Rental Demand in Mackay  

Mackay is experiencing a surge in rental demand, driven by a vacancy rate of 1.43%.

Population growth is a major contributor to Mackay's high rental demand. Mackay's estimated residential population is 128,361 people (as of 2024), with a relatively steady compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. This number is projected to grow to 160,000 by 2046, according to the Mackay Regional Council.

Low housing approvals in Mackay compound the pressure on the rental market. Housing approvals in Mackay have been steadily declining from 666 in 2020-21 to just 289 in 2023-24, limiting housing supply and driving up property prices and rental demand. However, housing approvals have recently increased to 517 in 2024-25, which is likely to be down to the council’s efforts to meet the region's growing housing needs.

In terms of rental demographics, Mackay’s coastal location is favoured by older adults between the ages of 35-59 (33.8% of residents) - especially those after a sea change. Young families are also attracted by affordable house prices and the availability of schools and local amenities.

Tourists and travellers also make up a part of the rental demand in Mackay, thanks to its close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, as well as local attractions like Bluewater Lagoon and Harbour Bay.

Mackay’s Real Estate Investment Potential  

With future economic growth and planned developments on the horizon, Mackay's property market presents a compelling picture for investors. 

The Mackay region has a strong local economy built on Australia’s largest sugarcane farming and processing industry - but has also diversified in recent years into mining, healthcare and tourism. As the region's economy continues to grow, Mackay is bound to attract even more talent from across Australia and overseas, which will drive up housing demand even further. 

There are also big developments planned for Mackay, including the 20-year Mackay Waterfront project and the $250 million Mackay Base Hospital expansion, which create more jobs and make the region even more attractive to domestic and international migrants.

Where to Invest in Mackay

If you're considering where to invest, some of the best suburbs to consider in Mackay include rapidly developing Beaconsfield - home to the popular Kerrisdale Estate - and Mount Pleasant, which offers a great combination of local amenities and schools for young families.

As the leading investment builders in North Queensland, Builder Direct specialises in designing and building high-quality investment homes that deliver favourable returns. We have an in-depth understanding of the local Mackay market and can help find the right location to build a high-performing investment home - view our house and land packages in Mackay or get in touch with our team to arrange a consultation.