Cosgrove 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
Cosgrove and Shaw are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 10.9 km and 12.5 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $197 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 →Cosgrove
Shaw
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cosgrove | Shaw | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,289 | $3,686 | -$397 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,400 | $4,200 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $2,200 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $11,131 | $11,328 | -$197 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,034 | $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 | Cosgrove | 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 — Cosgrove vs Shaw (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cosgrove and Shaw cost within $197 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,259, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $397 per year. Shaw is 12.5 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, $8,034 from Cosgrove versus $7,834 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 Cosgrove by $397 a year, $3,289 against $3,686.
- Building insurance favours Shaw by $200 a year, $4,200 against $4,400.
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 | Cosgrove cumulative | Shaw cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,131 | $11,328 | $197 |
| Year 3 | $34,405 | $35,014 | $609 |
| Year 5 | $59,096 | $60,142 | $1,046 |
| Year 10 | $127,604 | $129,863 | $2,259 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cosgrove or Shaw cheaper to live in?
Cosgrove is cheaper to run by car at $11,131 per year versus $11,328 for Shaw, a difference of $197 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cosgrove and Shaw?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Cosgrove (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Shaw (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Cosgrove 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 Cosgrove and Shaw?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,289 from Cosgrove and $3,686 from Shaw to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cosgrove and $192 from Shaw.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cosgrove and Shaw?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cosgrove costs a cumulative $127,604 and Shaw costs $129,863 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,259 in favour of Cosgrove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cosgrove 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.