Average Utility Costs in Boston, MA

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

Average monthly utility costs in Boston, MA are about $432.55, 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

$432.55

Data freshness: last verified 2026-03-03
  • Electric $332.00 (77%)
  • Water $55.98 (13%)
  • Sewer $44.57 (10%)
  • Trash $0.00 (0%)

Utilities here are about 15% higher than the Massachusetts city average, driven mainly by electric rates.

  • In Massachusetts, heating and cooling often makes electric the largest share of the bill.
  • Our electric estimate uses delivery rates from the tariff; supply charges vary monthly and we estimated them for comparison. Verify with your provider for current rates.

Water

Confirmed
Provider
Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC)
Base charge
$9.06/mo
Volumetric rate
$9.38/1,000 gal
Assumed usage
5,000 gal
Estimated monthly
$55.98
bwsc.org· verified 2026-03-03

Sewer

Confirmed
Method
tiered
Estimated monthly
$44.57

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

bwsc.org· verified 2026-03-03

Trash

Confirmed
Monthly fee
$0.00

Residential trash for 1–3 family homes provided by city; cost covered by property taxes. No direct monthly fee. Residents supply own barrels or bags.

boston.gov· verified 2026-03-03

Total estimated monthly utilities

$432.55

What changes your bill most?

  • Electric is about 77% of your estimated utilities here.
  • Every 100 kWh changes your total by about $32.20.
  • Water increases by about $9.38 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 Massachusetts

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FAQ

In Boston, sewer is billed in tiers based on usage, so the rate per gallon changes with volume. Our estimate uses the rate structure from BWSC – 2026 Water, Sewer & Stormwater Rates 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. Massachusetts allows retail electric choice; our estimates use the serving utility's Basic Service or Energy Switch MA benchmark 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 Boston with another city side-by-side, or see how we calculate estimates.