Mount Louisa 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
Mount Louisa and Shaw are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 9 km and 12.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Louisa runs $665 a year cheaper than Shaw, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,623.
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 →Mount Louisa
Shaw
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Louisa | Shaw | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,699 | $3,564 | -$865 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,400 | $4,200 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,541 | $11,206 | -$665 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,034 | $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 | Mount Louisa | 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 — Mount Louisa vs Shaw (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Louisa costs $665 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,623 in favour of Mount Louisa.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $865 per year. Shaw is 12.5 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, $8,034 from Mount Louisa versus $7,834 from Shaw.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Louisa cumulative | Shaw cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,541 | $11,206 | $665 |
| Year 3 | $32,581 | $34,637 | $2,056 |
| Year 5 | $55,964 | $59,494 | $3,530 |
| Year 10 | $120,841 | $128,464 | $7,623 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Louisa or Shaw cheaper to live in?
Mount Louisa is cheaper to run by car at $10,541 per year versus $11,206 for Shaw, a difference of $665 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Louisa and Shaw?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Mount Louisa (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Shaw (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Mount Louisa 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 Mount Louisa and Shaw?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,699 from Mount Louisa and $3,564 from Shaw to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mount Louisa and $192 from Shaw.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Louisa and Shaw?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Louisa costs a cumulative $120,841 and Shaw costs $128,464 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,623 in favour of Mount Louisa. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Louisa 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.
Related comparisons
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.