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 $247 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 the gap between these two is about $2,800, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Shaw
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cosgrove | 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 | $3,289 | $3,686 | -$397 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,750 | $3,600 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $2,200 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $10,481 | $10,728 | -$247 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,384 | $7,234 | +$150 |
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 | 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 differ by $247 a year by car, but $150 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $397, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
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 two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,384 and $7,234 a year, so the $247 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 Cosgrove by $397 a year, $3,289 against $3,686.
- Building insurance favours Shaw by $150 a year, $3,600 against $3,750.
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 | $10,481 | $10,728 | $247 |
| Year 3 | $32,396 | $33,159 | $763 |
| Year 5 | $55,645 | $56,956 | $1,311 |
| Year 10 | $120,153 | $122,984 | $2,831 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cosgrove or Shaw cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Cosgrove runs $10,481 a year by car and Shaw $10,728, but most of the $247 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $397. 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 $120,153 and Shaw costs $122,984 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,831 in favour of Cosgrove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cosgrove 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.