Average Utility Costs in Rochester, NY

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

Average monthly utility costs in Rochester, NY are about $311.55, 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

$311.55

Data freshness: last verified 2026-02-12
  • Electric $214.00 (69%)
  • Water $31.80 (10%)
  • Sewer $32.50 (10%)
  • Trash $33.25 (11%)

Utilities here are about 5% lower than the New York city average, driven mainly by electric rates.

  • In New York, 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.
  • Trash is provided by private haulers; residents choose their own. Our estimate reflects typical rates for the area—contact haulers for exact pricing.
  • RG&E's electric supply rate varies monthly and is published on a dynamic tool (rge.com/opco-supply-price); we used an estimated rate for comparison since it's not on a static tariff.

Water

Confirmed
Provider
City of Rochester Bureau of Water
Base charge
$10.30/mo
Volumetric rate
$4.30/1,000 gal
Assumed usage
5,000 gal
Estimated monthly
$31.80
cityofrochester.gov· verified 2026-02-12

Sewer

Estimated
Method
tiered
Estimated monthly
$32.50

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

rbsma.com· verified 2026-02-12

Trash

Confirmed
Monthly fee
$33.25

Single-family annual fee $399; included on tax bill. Monthly equivalent $33.25.

cityofrochester.gov· verified 2026-02-12

Total estimated monthly utilities

$311.55

What changes your bill most?

  • Electric is about 69% of your estimated utilities here.
  • Every 100 kWh changes your total by about $19.00.
  • Water increases by about $4.30 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 New York

New York utility costsMonroe CountyUtility providers in New York

FAQ

In Rochester, sewer is billed in tiers based on usage, so the rate per gallon changes with volume. Our estimate uses the rate structure from Rochester-area sewer (RBSMA) – Rates effective Feb 1, 2024 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. New York allows retail electric choice (ESCOs); our estimates use ConEd delivery plus representative supply 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 Rochester with another city side-by-side, or see how we calculate estimates.