Average Utility Costs in Sterling Heights, MI

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

Average monthly utility costs in Sterling Heights, MI are about $255.49, 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

$255.49

Data freshness: last verified 2026-02-05
  • Electric $161.30 (63%)
  • Water $27.35 (11%)
  • Sewer $55.51 (22%)
  • Trash $11.33 (4%)

Utilities here are in line with the Michigan city average.

  • In Michigan, heating and cooling often makes electric the largest share of the bill.
  • Trash is provided by private haulers; residents choose their own. Our estimate reflects typical rates for the area—contact haulers for exact pricing.

Electric

Confirmed
Provider
DTE Electric Company (most addresses)
Base charge
$8.50/mo
Energy rate
$0.1528/kWh
Assumed usage
1000 kWh
Estimated monthly
$161.30
dteenergy.com· verified 2026-02-05

Water

Confirmed
Provider
City of Sterling Heights
Base charge
$9.60/mo
Volumetric rate
$3.55/1,000 gal
Assumed usage
5,000 gal
Estimated monthly
$27.35
sterlingheights.gov· verified 2026-02-05

Sewer

Confirmed
Method
tiered
Estimated monthly
$55.51

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

sterlingheights.gov· verified 2026-02-05

Trash

Confirmed
Monthly fee
$11.33

Residents pay for refuse annually through special refuse millage; averages $136/year (≈$11.33/mo). Includes cart and weekly curbside collection.

sterlingheights.gov· verified 2026-02-05

Total estimated monthly utilities

$255.49

What changes your bill most?

  • Electric is about 63% of your estimated utilities here.
  • Every 100 kWh changes your total by about $15.28.
  • Water increases by about $3.55 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 Macomb County. Click a city for full breakdowns.

CityEst. total/mo
Sterling Heights (this)$255.49
Warren$290.93

More in Michigan

Michigan utility costsMacomb CountyElectric providers in Michigan

FAQ

In Sterling Heights, 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 Sterling Heights – Residential Water and Sewer Rates (bills on/after July 1, 2025) 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); in Michigan we use DTE or Consumers Energy published rates (including time-of-use blends where applicable). 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. Michigan utilities offer time-of-use and standard rates, so your plan affects your bill. Our estimates use fixed assumed usage (e.g., 1,000 kWh, 5,000 gal) 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 Sterling Heights with another city side-by-side, or see how we calculate estimates.