Bohle Plains vs Shaw: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/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 Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Shaw runs $417 a year cheaper than Bohle Plains, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,781.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Bohle Plains
Shaw
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bohle Plains | Shaw | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,181 | $3,564 | +$617 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,000 | $4,200 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,900 | $2,200 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $11,623 | $11,206 | +$417 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,634 | $7,834 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bohle Plains | Shaw | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,218 | $2,218 | - |
| Unit | $1,773 | $1,773 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 $417 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,781 in favour of Shaw.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $617 per year. Bohle Plains is 15.3 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,634 from Bohle Plains versus $7,834 from Shaw.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bohle Plains cumulative | Shaw cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,623 | $11,206 | $417 |
| Year 3 | $35,926 | $34,637 | $1,289 |
| Year 5 | $61,708 | $59,494 | $2,214 |
| Year 10 | $133,245 | $128,464 | $4,781 |
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 $11,206 per year versus $11,623 for Bohle Plains, a difference of $417 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $4,181 from Bohle Plains and $3,564 from Shaw to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $133,245 and Shaw costs $128,464 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,781 in favour of Shaw. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bohle Plains and Shaw is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.