Cosgrove vs Mount Louisa: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cosgrove and Mount Louisa are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 10.9 km and 9 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Louisa runs $498 a year cheaper than Cosgrove, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,709.
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 →Cosgrove
Mount Louisa
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cosgrove | Mount Louisa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,289 | $2,791 | +$498 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,400 | $4,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $2,000 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,131 | $10,633 | +$498 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,034 | $8,034 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cosgrove | Mount Louisa | 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 — Cosgrove vs Mount Louisa (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Louisa costs $498 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,709 in favour of Mount Louisa.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $498 per year. Cosgrove is 10.9 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,034 and $8,034 a year, so the $498 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Mount Louisa by $498 a year, $2,791 against $3,289.
- Building insurance is identical at $4,400 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cosgrove cumulative | Mount Louisa cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,131 | $10,633 | $498 |
| Year 3 | $34,405 | $32,866 | $1,539 |
| Year 5 | $59,096 | $56,452 | $2,644 |
| Year 10 | $127,604 | $121,895 | $5,709 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cosgrove or Mount Louisa cheaper to live in?
Mount Louisa is cheaper to run by car at $10,633 per year versus $11,131 for Cosgrove, a difference of $498 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cosgrove and Mount Louisa?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Cosgrove (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Mount Louisa (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Cosgrove and $2,099 in Mount Louisa. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cosgrove and Mount Louisa?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,289 from Cosgrove and $2,791 from Mount Louisa to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cosgrove and $192 from Mount Louisa.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cosgrove and Mount Louisa?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cosgrove costs a cumulative $127,604 and Mount Louisa costs $121,895 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,709 in favour of Mount Louisa. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cosgrove and Mount Louisa 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.