Average Utility Costs in Ames, IA

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

Average monthly utility costs in Ames, IA are about $216.61, 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

$216.61

Estimated average monthly utilities in Ames are ~$216.61 (1,000 kWh + 5,000 gal assumptions). Average water bill estimate: ~$33.95/mo at 5,000 gallons.

Data freshness: last verified 2026-02-14
  • Electric $115.66 (53%)
  • Water $33.95 (16%)
  • Sewer $37.00 (17%)
  • Trash $30.00 (14%)

Utilities here are about 5% higher than the Iowa city average, driven mainly by electric rates.

  • In Iowa, heating and cooling often makes electric the largest share of the bill.
  • City-provided trash is billed at a monthly fee ($30.00 in our estimate).

Electric

Confirmed
Provider
City of Ames Electric
Base charge
$14.46/mo
Energy rate
$0.1012/kWh
Assumed usage
1000 kWh
Monthly total
$115.66
cityofames.org· verified 2026-02-14

Water

Confirmed
Provider
City of Ames
Base charge
$14.70/mo
Volumetric rate
$3.85/1,000 gal
Assumed usage
5,000 gal
Monthly total
$33.95
cityofames.org· verified 2026-02-14

Sewer

Confirmed
Method
tiered
Monthly total
$37.00

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

cityofames.org· verified 2026-02-14

Trash

Estimated
Monthly fee
$30.00

Open hauling—residents choose licensed hauler (Aspen, Republic, WM, etc.). Estimated ~$30/mo; rates vary by hauler and cart size.

cityofames.org· verified 2026-02-14

Total estimated monthly utilities

$216.61

What changes your bill most?

  • Electric is about 53% of your estimated utilities here.
  • Every 100 kWh changes your total by about $10.12.
  • Water increases by about $3.85 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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More in Iowa

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FAQ

In Ames, sewer is billed in tiers based on usage, so the rate per gallon changes with volume. Our estimate uses the rate structure from City of Ames – Utility Rates (Sewer effective 7/1/2025) at the assumed 5,000 gallons per month. Your bill will vary with actual usage.
Trash in Ames 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 Ames – Licensed Area Haulers (curbside).
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 Ames with another city side-by-side, or see how we calculate estimates.