Average Utility Costs in Illinois
Typical monthly utility costs in Illinois are about $291.13/mo, based on 1,000 kWh of electricity and 5,000 gallons of water (plus sewer and trash where available). Compare Illinois cities below to find cheaper vs more expensive areas.
Average Monthly Utility Costs in Illinois
The average utility bill in Illinois is estimated at $291.13 per month, a typical total assembled from median city estimates for electricity, water, sewer, and trash. To reflect a more typical bill across cities (and reduce the impact of outliers), these "average" values use the median of city estimates.
Assumptions: 1,000 kWh/month and 5,000 gallons/month (where applicable). "Average" values represent the median city estimate; water/sewer/trash medians exclude $0 entries when service or published rates vary by address. Actual bills vary by usage, fees, and provider.
Search by city or county
Utility providers in Illinois
In the cities we cover, electric is provided by Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) (Chicago, Schaumburg, Aurora, Joliet) and City of Naperville Electric Utility (Naperville). ComEd is the default supplier for most northern Illinois; customers can choose alternate retail suppliers. Naperville is municipally owned. Water, sewer, and trash are set by city or county. Our estimates use each utility's published rate at 1,000 kWh. City pages show sources and last-verified dates.
See which electric, water, sewer, and trash providers serve different areas of Illinois, along with typical residential rate information and sources.
View utility providers in Illinois →ComEd delivery vs. supply
What "Price to Compare" means
In Illinois you can choose your electric supply (the energy you use) or stay with the default. ComEd delivers the power regardless. The "Price to Compare" is the default supply rate used to compare alternative suppliers. Our estimates use ComEd's published residential charges at 1,000 kWh so you can compare cities; your actual bill depends on your supplier choice, usage, and riders.
Why your bill can differ even within ComEd territory
Delivery charges, riders, and taxes can vary. If you choose an alternative retail electric supplier (ARES), your supply portion changes too. We show the rate basis and sources on each city page so you know what the estimate includes.
Why Chicago ≈ many suburbs on electric, but totals vary on water/sewer/trash
ComEd serves Chicago and many northern Illinois suburbs with the same rate structures, so electric at 1,000 kWh is often similar across those cities. Total utility costs differ because water, sewer, and trash are set by each city or their contractors—so the same electric bill can sit next to very different water, sewer, and trash fees.
These rankings are estimates for comparison at 1,000 kWh. For the full breakdown (electric, water, sewer, trash) by city, use the comparison table below.
Cheapest electric rates in Illinois
Cities with the lowest estimated electric bill at 1,000 kWh (where we have a full-bill estimate). See the comparison table below for all cities.
Most expensive total utility monthly cost in Illinois
Top 5 cities with the highest estimated total (electric + water + sewer + trash). See the comparison table for all cities. High totals are often driven by sewer/trash fixed fees and local rate structures, not just electric.
Compare all cities
Estimated monthly costs by city, sorted by total (highest first). Same assumed usage (1,000 kWh, 5,000 gal) for comparison; some cities may show $0 when no single published municipal rate is available or service varies by address. 8 cities.
| City | County | Electric | Water | Sewer | Trash | Total | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet | Will County | $173.92 | $84.43 | $49.68 | $0.00 | $308.02 | View Joliet details → |
| Peoria | Peoria County | $140.81 | $92.78 | $45.00 | $25.00 | $303.59 | View Peoria details → |
| Aurora | Kane County | $173.92 | $90.63 | $0.00 | $16.55 | $281.10 | View Aurora details → |
| Champaign | Champaign County | $140.81 | $72.15 | $26.33 | $33.00 | $272.28 | View Champaign details → |
| Schaumburg | Cook County | $173.92 | $69.95 | $12.90 | $0.00 | $256.77 | View Schaumburg details → |
| Elgin | Kane County | $173.92 | $27.50 | $19.50 | $25.95 | $246.87 | View Elgin details → |
| Chicago | Cook County | $173.92 | $24.45 | $24.45 | $9.50 | $232.32 | View Chicago details → |
| Naperville | DuPage County | $140.41 | $62.47 | $0.00 | $15.27 | $218.15 | View Naperville details → |
Illinois counties
View estimated utility costs by county. Each county page lists cities and a comparison table of monthly estimates.
Compare with nearby states
Compare utility costs in Illinois with neighboring states.
Explore further