Mount Louisa 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
Mount Louisa and Shaw are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 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.
Mount Louisa runs $745 a year cheaper than Shaw, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,540.
Over 10 years, Mount Louisa costs about $8,500 less to run than Shaw. That's about $16 a week.
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Shaw
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Louisa | 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 | $2,791 | $3,686 | -$895 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,750 | $3,600 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,983 | $10,728 | -$745 |
| 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 | Mount Louisa | 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, Mount Louisa vs Shaw (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Louisa costs $745 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,540 in favour of Mount Louisa.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $895 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 $745 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 $895 a year, $2,791 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 | Mount Louisa cumulative | Shaw cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,983 | $10,728 | $745 |
| Year 3 | $30,856 | $33,159 | $2,303 |
| Year 5 | $53,001 | $56,956 | $3,955 |
| Year 10 | $114,444 | $122,984 | $8,540 |
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 $9,983 per year versus $10,728 for Shaw, a difference of $745 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $2,791 from Mount Louisa and $3,686 from Shaw to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/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 $114,444 and Shaw costs $122,984 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,540 in favour of Mount Louisa. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Louisa 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.