Utility rates & providers in Guilford County, NC

Representative example: Greensboro (1,000 kWh + 5,000 gal)

Guilford County pairs two large cities—Greensboro and High Point—each with different retail electric structures on our modeled pages. Greensboro benchmarks residential electric using Duke Energy Carolinas and the North Carolina Public Staff’s typical monthly bill at 1,000 kWh, while High Point operates municipal electric with its own published residential rate schedule (not Duke Carolinas). Always confirm which city’s territory your street address falls in before comparing tariffs.

Total estimated monthly utilities

$222.03

Modeled for Greensboro — your address may use different providers. Estimated total ~$222.03; water ~$32.49/mo at 5,000 gal (when that is the city assumption).

Data freshness: last verified 2026-03-04. County overview narrative last verified 2026-04-12.

Data freshness: 2026-03-04
  • Electric $143.39 (65%)
  • Water $32.49 (15%)
  • Sewer $40.65 (18%)
  • Trash $5.50 (2%)

Utilities here are about 10% lower than the North Carolina city average, driven mainly by sewer.

  • In North Carolina, heating and cooling often makes electric the largest share of the bill.
  • City-provided trash is billed at a monthly fee ($5.50 in our estimate).

Potable water and sanitary sewer are billed by the respective municipalities for qualifying city accounts: Greensboro publishes combined water and sewer rate tables effective on stated dates, and High Point publishes water, sewer, and electric materials through its fee and rate pages. Solid waste is also municipality-specific—Greensboro documents a residential solid waste fee, while High Point publishes sanitation charges in its comprehensive fee schedule. Smaller towns and unincorporated Guilford County may use wells, small systems, or private haulers; match each bill to the provider named on your statement.

Utility breakdown by service

Line-item style summary for Guilford County—figures are from the county overview below, not copied from a single city page. Jurisdiction notes, narrative, and official sources follow in each card.

Electricity

Benchmark / Confirmed

Greensboro: Duke Carolinas @ 1,000 kWh (Public Staff). High Point: municipal electric tariff (separate from Duke).

For Greensboro-modeled comparisons, Duke Energy Carolinas is the investor-owned utility in Public Staff typical-bill summaries at 1,000 kWh; effective totals still move with riders, weather, and usage.

High Point residential electric is municipal service with tiered energy charges published on the city’s electric rate schedule—do not substitute Duke Carolinas benchmarks for High Point city accounts.

North Carolina does not offer retail electric choice for standard investor-owned residential service—compare tariffs and assistance programs rather than shopping for a competing wires provider.

Verify the distributor on your bill at addresses near municipal boundaries and cooperative lines—ZIP codes can span more than one certified territory.

Official sources

Water

Confirmed

Confirmed — City of Greensboro & City of High Point retail water schedules (separate publications)

Inside Greensboro, residential water is billed by the city with base and tiered volumetric components published in the city’s utility rates materials.

Inside High Point, residential water uses the city’s published water fee components in its comprehensive fee schedule—do not assume Greensboro’s tiers apply across the county line.

Rural wells and small systems are common outside municipal retail areas; confirm supply type before modeling volumetric charges.

Official sources

Sewer / wastewater

Confirmed

Confirmed — Greensboro & High Point sewer components in respective city publications

Greensboro publishes sewer base and volumetric components alongside water in its utility rates materials for qualifying city accounts.

High Point publishes sewer charges in its fee schedule materials; always use the city that bills your address.

Septic systems are outside typical municipal retail sewer line items.

Official sources

Trash & recycling

Confirmed

Confirmed — municipal solid waste fees differ between Greensboro and High Point

Greensboro documents residential solid waste fees through official city communications referencing the current monthly charge.

High Point publishes residential sanitation fees in its comprehensive fee schedule, including cart-related charges where applicable.

Unincorporated county addresses and smaller towns may use subscription haulers or different municipal programs—confirm jurisdiction.

Official sources

Summaries rely on the North Carolina Public Staff’s Duke Energy Carolinas typical-bill materials, NCUC/Duke Energy customer references, City of Greensboro utility rate publications, City of High Point electric rate and comprehensive fee schedule materials, and related city communications as of the last verified date. Municipal boundary mistakes (Greensboro vs High Point), cooperative electric pockets, wells, septic systems, and private solid waste are parcel-specific—this overview supports research, not a substitute for a metered bill or development determination.

Check Internet pricing & availability in Guilford County

Internet service varies widely—many providers, different plans, introductory offers, and bundles make it hard to compare apples to apples. That's why we don't estimate internet on this page like we do for electric, water, sewer, and trash. Use our tool to compare providers for your address or ZIP code.

Total estimated monthly utilities

$222.03

Greensboro

What changes your bill most?

  • Electric is about 65% of your estimated utilities here.
  • Every 100 kWh changes your total by about $12.80.
  • Water increases by about $5.32 per additional 1,000 gallons.

Assumptions

  • Electric: 1,000 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

Full line-item breakdown: Greensboro utility page. County overview cards above cite additional regional sources.

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Cities in Guilford County

Estimated monthly utility totals

Totals use each city's modeled usage and tariffs on file—see the city page for electric, water, sewer, and trash breakdowns.

CityEst. total/mo
Greensboro (illustrative pattern)$222.03
High Point$290.35

More in North Carolina

North Carolina utility costsElectric providers in North CarolinaGreensboro utility page

FAQ

We use base charges and per-unit rates from official provider and municipal sources for each city in Guilford County. Electric uses city or provider tariff data; water, sewer, and trash use city or provider rate schedules. Each city page shows assumed usage (kWh, gallons) and source links.
Cities in the same county can have different electric providers, municipal water and sewer systems, and trash contracts. Rates and fee structures vary, so estimated monthly totals differ. Use the comparison table and city links to see details.
Each city page shows a 'last verified' date and links to official sources. Always confirm current rates on the provider's or city's website before making decisions.
Guilford County contains multiple municipal governments. Greensboro is modeled with Duke Carolinas using the Public Staff benchmark, while High Point operates its own municipal electric system with a separate published tariff. Your bill depends on which city (or unincorporated area) actually serves the address.
No. Each city publishes its own retail water and sewer schedules. Always open the materials for the municipality named on your bill.
Mailing city names can be misleading. Confirm whether your parcel is inside corporate limits for curbside municipal service, served by another town, or on a private subscription route using official city or county solid waste pages.

Learn more

For tips on understanding your bill, comparing cities, and how electric and utility rates work by state, see our blog. Compare Greensboro with another city side-by-side, or see how we calculate estimates.