Bohle vs Town Common: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bohle and Town Common are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 10.3 km and 9.3 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $63 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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
Town Common
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bohle | Town Common | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,135 | $2,872 | +$263 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,000 | $4,200 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,577 | $10,514 | +$63 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,634 | $7,834 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bohle | Town Common | 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 vs Town Common (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bohle and Town Common cost within $63 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $722, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $263 per year. Bohle is 10.3 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, $7,634 from Bohle versus $7,834 from Town Common.
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 Town Common by $263 a year, $2,872 against $3,135.
- Building insurance favours Bohle by $200 a year, $4,000 against $4,200.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bohle cumulative | Town Common cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,577 | $10,514 | $63 |
| Year 3 | $32,692 | $32,498 | $194 |
| Year 5 | $56,155 | $55,820 | $335 |
| Year 10 | $121,253 | $120,531 | $722 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bohle or Town Common cheaper to live in?
Town Common is cheaper to run by car at $10,514 per year versus $10,577 for Bohle, a difference of $63 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bohle and Town Common?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Bohle (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Town Common (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Bohle and $2,099 in Town Common. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bohle and Town Common?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,135 from Bohle and $2,872 from Town Common to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bohle and $192 from Town Common.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bohle and Town Common?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bohle costs a cumulative $121,253 and Town Common costs $120,531 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $722 in favour of Town Common. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bohle and Town Common 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.