Average Utility Costs in Clifton, NJ

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

Average monthly utility costs in Clifton, NJ are about $357.50, 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

$357.50

Estimated average monthly utilities in Clifton are ~$357.50 (1,000 kWh + 5,000 gal assumptions). Average water bill estimate: ~$57.50/mo at 5,000 gallons.

Data freshness: last verified 2026-02-13
  • Electric $230.00 (64%)
  • Water $57.50 (16%)
  • Sewer $45.00 (13%)
  • Trash $25.00 (7%)

Utilities here are about 10% higher than the New Jersey city average, driven mainly by trash.

  • In New Jersey, heating and cooling often makes electric the largest share of the bill.
  • City-provided trash is billed at a monthly fee ($25.00 in our estimate).

Water

Estimated
Provider
Passaic Valley Water Commission (PVWC)
Base charge
$25.00/mo
Volumetric rate
$6.50/1,000 gal
Assumed usage
5,000 gal
Monthly total
$57.50
pvwc.com· verified 2026-02-13

Sewer

Estimated
Method
flat
Monthly total
$45.00
pvwc.com· verified 2026-02-13

Trash

Estimated
Monthly fee
$25.00

City contracts with third party; standard cost typically in municipal taxes (no separate direct fee). Estimate ~$25/mo reflects variable contract cost. Weekly cart + Wednesday bulk/brush. Curb by 7 AM. Extra/on-call services (e.g. mobile home park, specialized pickups): $14.74–$37.24 per pickup. DPW: 973-470-5893.

cliftonnj.org· verified 2026-02-13

Total estimated monthly utilities

$357.50

What changes your bill most?

  • Electric is about 64% of your estimated utilities here.
  • Every 100 kWh changes your total by about $22.40.
  • Water increases by about $6.50 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 Passaic County. Click a city for full breakdowns.

CityEst. total/mo
Clifton (this)$357.50
Paterson$332.50

More in New Jersey

New Jersey utility costsPassaic CountyUtility providers in New Jersey

FAQ

Trash in Clifton 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 Clifton – Trash & Recycling.
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 Clifton with another city side-by-side, or see how we calculate estimates.