Average Utility Costs in Gary, IN

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

Average monthly utility costs in Gary, IN are about $388.72, 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

$388.72

Data freshness: last verified 2026-03-12
  • Electric $233.62 (60%)
  • Water $88.45 (23%)
  • Sewer $42.50 (11%)
  • Trash $24.15 (6%)

Utilities here are about 50% higher than the Indiana city average, driven mainly by electric rates.

  • In Indiana, heating and cooling often makes electric the largest share of the bill.
  • City-provided trash is billed at a monthly fee ($24.15 in our estimate).

Water

Confirmed
Provider
Indiana American Water
Base charge
$20.00/mo
Volumetric rate
$13.69/1,000 gal
Assumed usage
5,000 gal
Estimated monthly
$88.45
amwater.com· verified 2026-03-12

Sewer

Confirmed
Method
tiered
Estimated monthly
$42.50

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

garysanitary.gov· verified 2026-03-12

Trash

Confirmed
Monthly fee
$24.15

Gary Sanitary District trash collection. $24.15/mo effective Jan 1, 2026. One can per household; optional second can +$10/mo + $25 one-time. Billed with sewer.

gary.gov· verified 2026-03-12

Total estimated monthly utilities

$388.72

What changes your bill most?

  • Electric is about 60% of your estimated utilities here.
  • Every 100 kWh changes your total by about $21.26.
  • Water increases by about $13.69 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 Gary →

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 Indiana

Indiana utility costsLake CountyElectric providers in Indiana

FAQ

In Gary, sewer is billed in tiers based on usage, so the rate per gallon changes with volume. Our estimate uses the rate structure from Gary Sanitary District – Sewer Fees at the assumed 5,000 gallons per month. Your bill will vary with actual usage.
Trash in Gary 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 Gary – City-Operated Residential Trash Collection.
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. Indiana is a regulated electric state; our estimates use the serving utility's tariff at 1,000 kWh for comparison.
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 Gary with another city side-by-side, or see how we calculate estimates.