Average Utility Costs in Decatur, AL

Estimated monthly utility costs (1,000 kWh + 5,000 gal)

Average monthly utility costs in Decatur, AL are about $248.36, based on 1,000 kWh of electricity and 5,000 gallons of water. This estimate combines Decatur Utilities electric service with the city's published water, wastewater, and solid waste pricing where available.

Decatur quick take

  • Decatur uses Decatur Utilities for electric service, so this page reflects a local utility tariff instead of an Alabama Power-style benchmark.
  • Water and sewer are important parts of the total monthly bill here, with wastewater estimated at about $46.28/month in this comparison.
  • Trash adds about $22.22/month in this model, which makes the page more useful for all-in household budgeting than looking at electric rates alone.
  • Across Alabama, local utility structures can differ sharply from one city to the next even when homes are in the same general metro area.

Total estimated monthly utilities

$248.36

Estimated average monthly utilities in Decatur are ~$248.36 (1,000 kWh + 5,000 gal assumptions). Average water bill estimate: ~$23.81/mo at 5,000 gallons.

Data freshness: last verified 2026-03-21
  • Electric $156.06 (63%)
  • Water $23.81 (10%)
  • Sewer $46.28 (19%)
  • Trash $22.22 (9%)

Utilities here are about 10% higher than the Alabama city average, driven mainly by electric rates.

  • In Alabama, cooling demand often makes electric the largest share of the bill.
  • Trash is provided by private haulers; residents choose their own. Our estimate reflects typical rates for the area—contact haulers for exact pricing.

Water

Confirmed
Provider
Decatur Utilities
Base charge
$15.55/mo
Volumetric rate
$1.65/1,000 gal
Assumed usage
5,000 gal
Monthly total
$23.81
decaturutilities.com· verified 2026-03-21

Sewer

Confirmed
Method
tiered
Monthly total
$46.28

Tiered structure simplified to a representative monthly estimate at assumed usage.

decaturutilities.com· verified 2026-03-21

Trash

Confirmed
Monthly fee
$22.22

Standard residential refuse is $22.22/month. Extra carts are billed separately.

decaturutilities.com· verified 2026-03-21

Total estimated monthly utilities

$248.36

What changes your bill most?

  • Electric is about 63% of your estimated utilities here.
  • Every 100 kWh changes your total by about $14.09.
  • Water increases by about $1.65 per additional 1,000 gallons.

Why we don't cover internet

Internet service varies widely—many providers, different plans, introductory offers, and bundles make it hard to compare apples to apples. We focus on electric, water, sewer, and trash where rates are more standardized, but we do offer a tool to help you compare internet service providers in your area.

Check available internet service providers in Decatur →

Assumptions

  • Electric: 1000 kWh/month
  • Water: 5,000 gallons/month

What these labels mean

  • Confirmed — From this area's rate schedule.
  • Benchmark — From an official typical (e.g. state commission 1,000 kWh); not city-specific.
  • Delivery only — Regulated delivery charges only (e.g. Texas); supply varies by plan.
  • Estimated — From other or incomplete sources; use as a rough guide.
Sources

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More in Alabama

Alabama utility costsMorgan CountyElectric providers in Alabama

FAQ

Because local water, wastewater, and garbage charges vary a lot from city to city. In Alabama, those local utility lines can easily change the total monthly household bill even when electric service comes from the same broader utility territory.
It is meant to show the full household utility picture. The electric estimate is only one part of the total, while water, sewer, and trash can make a major difference in what residents actually budget each month in Decatur.
In Decatur, sewer is billed in tiers based on usage, so the rate per gallon changes with volume. Our estimate uses the rate structure from Decatur Utilities – Residential Rate Schedule (March 2026) at the assumed 5,000 gallons per month. Your bill will vary with actual usage.
We use base charges and per-unit rates from official provider pages. Electric = base + (rate × assumed kWh). Water = base + (rate per 1,000 gal × assumed gallons / 1,000). Sewer is either a flat fee or a percentage of water. Trash is a fixed monthly fee. See the Methodology page for full formulas.
Actual bills depend on your usage, seasonal rates, taxes, fees, and provider-specific rules. Our estimates use fixed assumed usage (e.g., 1,000 kWh, 5,000 gal) for comparison. Your home may use more or less.
Each component shows a 'last verified' date. We aim to update from official sources periodically; always confirm current rates on the provider's site before making decisions.

Learn more

For tips on understanding your bill, comparing cities, and how electric and utility rates work by state, see our blog. Compare Decatur with another city side-by-side, or see how we calculate estimates.