Average Utility Costs in Chicago, IL

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

Average monthly utility costs in Chicago, IL are about $232.32, based on 1,000 kWh of electricity and 5,000 gallons of water, plus sewer and trash fees. See the full breakdown and sources below.

Total estimated monthly utilities

$232.32

Estimated average monthly utilities in Chicago are ~$232.32 (1,000 kWh + 5,000 gal assumptions). Average water bill estimate: ~$24.45/mo at 5,000 gallons.

Data freshness: last verified 2026-02-04

Electric includes approximate delivery (ComEd Rate RDS).

  • Electric $173.92 (75%)
  • Water $24.45 (11%)
  • Sewer $24.45 (11%)
  • Trash $9.50 (4%)

Utilities here are about 10% lower than the Illinois city average, driven mainly by water.

  • In Illinois, heating and cooling often makes electric the largest share of the bill.
  • City-provided trash is billed at a monthly fee ($9.50 in our estimate).

Electric

Confirmed
Provider
Commonwealth Edison (ComEd)
Base charge
$0.00/mo
Energy rate
$0.0966/kWh
Assumed usage
1000 kWh
Supply + trans. only
$96.60

This is the Price to Compare (electric supply + transmission). Delivery charges are not included; you pay them whether you stay with ComEd or switch to an ARES. The Plug In Illinois PTC breakdown does not publish a delivery rate—see your bill or ComEd's Current Rates & Tariffs for the delivery charge.

Delivery (approximate)

At 1,000 kWh: $15.45 customer charge + 6.06¢/kWh distribution + 0.13¢/kWh IEDT ≈ $77.32/mo.

Approx. full electric (supply+trans+delivery): $173.92/mo

Residential Single Family Without Electric Space Heat; Rate RDS refers to Delivery Service Charges Informational Sheets.

ComEd – Guide to Billed Delivery Service Charges (Jan 2025) (verified 2026-02-04). Rate RDS (Retail Delivery Service)

plugin.illinois.gov· verified 2026-02-04

Water

Confirmed
Provider
City of Chicago Department of Water Management
Base charge
$0.00/mo
Volumetric rate
$4.89/1,000 gal
Assumed usage
5,000 gal
Estimated monthly
$24.45
chicago.gov· verified 2026-02-04

Sewer

Confirmed
Method
percentOfWater
Estimated monthly
$24.45
chicago.gov· verified 2026-02-04

Trash

Confirmed
Monthly fee
$9.50

$9.50 per month per dwelling unit for City-provided garbage collection (buildings with four or fewer units). Appears on the unified utility bill with water and sewer.

chicago.gov· verified 2026-02-04

Total estimated monthly utilities

$232.32

What changes your bill most?

  • Electric is about 75% of your estimated utilities here.
  • Every 100 kWh changes your total by about $9.66.
  • Water increases by about $4.89 per additional 1,000 gallons.

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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Nearby Cities Utility Costs

Other cities in Cook County. Click a city for full breakdowns.

CityEst. total/mo
Chicago (this)$155.00
Schaumburg$179.45

More in Illinois

Illinois utility costsCook CountyUtility providers in Illinois

FAQ

Trash in Chicago is provided by the city as part of municipal utilities and is billed at a monthly fee. Rates and services are set by the local government; our estimate uses the fee from City of Chicago – Garbage Fee.
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 Chicago with another city side-by-side, or see how we calculate estimates.