Bohle Plains vs Shaw, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bohle Plains and Shaw are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 15.3 km and 12.5 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Shaw runs $438 a year cheaper than Bohle Plains, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,022.
Over 10 years, Shaw costs about $5,000 less to run than Bohle Plains. That's about $10 a week.
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Shaw
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bohle Plains | Shaw | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,324 | $3,686 | +$638 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,400 | $3,600 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,900 | $2,200 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $11,166 | $10,728 | +$438 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,034 | $7,234 | -$200 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bohle Plains | Shaw | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,373 | $2,373 | - |
| Unit | $1,945 | $1,945 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Bohle Plains vs Shaw (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Shaw costs $438 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,022 in favour of Shaw.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $638 per year. Bohle Plains is 15.3 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,034 from Bohle Plains versus $7,234 from Shaw.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,343 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,099 a year.
- Driving commute favours Shaw by $638 a year, $3,686 against $4,324.
- Building insurance favours Bohle Plains by $200 a year, $3,400 against $3,600.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
The catchment state school scores 4.9 in Bohle Plains against 3.3 in Shaw, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bohle Plains cumulative | Shaw cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,166 | $10,728 | $438 |
| Year 3 | $34,513 | $33,159 | $1,354 |
| Year 5 | $59,282 | $56,956 | $2,326 |
| Year 10 | $128,006 | $122,984 | $5,022 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bohle Plains or Shaw cheaper to live in?
Shaw is cheaper to run by car at $10,728 per year versus $11,166 for Bohle Plains, a difference of $438 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bohle Plains and Shaw?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Bohle Plains (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Shaw (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Bohle Plains and $2,099 in Shaw. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bohle Plains and Shaw?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,324 from Bohle Plains and $3,686 from Shaw to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bohle Plains and $192 from Shaw.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bohle Plains and Shaw?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bohle Plains costs a cumulative $128,006 and Shaw costs $122,984 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,022 in favour of Shaw. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bohle Plains and Shaw suits you better?
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Sources: Townsville City Council and Townsville City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.