Average Utility Costs in Raleigh, NC

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

Average monthly utility costs in Raleigh, NC are about $274.51, based on 1,000 kWh of electricity and 5,000 gallons of water. This estimate uses Duke Energy Progress's 1,000 kWh benchmark, Raleigh Water charges, a flat wastewater fee, and a separate city solid waste fee.

Raleigh quick take

  • Electric is based on the Duke Energy Progress benchmark used for Raleigh-area comparison, rather than a city-run electric utility tariff.
  • Raleigh sewer is a flat monthly wastewater charge of about $48.94, which makes it one of the most visible non-electric line items on the page.
  • Trash is a separate municipal fee of about $14.60/month, so Raleigh's total bill is not driven by electricity alone.
  • Because Raleigh uses local city water, wastewater, and solid waste charges on top of Duke electric service, the full utility bill can differ meaningfully from nearby cities even within Wake County.

Total estimated monthly utilities

$274.51

Data freshness: last verified 2026-06-05
  • Electric $174.82 (64%)
  • Water $36.15 (13%)
  • Sewer $48.94 (18%)
  • Trash $14.60 (5%)

Utilities here are about 10% higher than the North Carolina city average, driven mainly by electric rates.

  • In North Carolina, heating and cooling often makes electric the largest share of the bill.
  • City-provided trash is billed at a monthly fee ($14.60 in our estimate).

Water

Confirmed
Provider
Raleigh Water
Base charge
$9.36/mo
Volumetric rate
$5.36/1,000 gal
Assumed usage
5,000 gal
Estimated monthly
$36.15

5/8" meter inside city: water base charge $7.86 + water IRC $1.50/mo. Usage at 5,000 gal (6.684 CCF): 0–4 CCF @ $3.00, remainder @ $5.23. Watershed protection fee $0.1122/CCF included in effective volumetric rate.

cityofraleigh0drupal.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net· verified 2026-06-05

Trash

Confirmed
Monthly fee
$14.60

Residential curbside solid waste collection fee.

raleighnc.gov· verified 2026-06-05

Check Internet pricing & availability in Raleigh

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

$274.51

What changes your bill most?

  • Electric is about 64% of your estimated utilities here.
  • Every 100 kWh changes your total by about $15.90.
  • Water increases by about $5.36 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

Wondering if solar makes sense for you? Try our solar payback calculator to find out.

Nearby Cities Utility Costs

Other cities in Wake County. Click a city for full breakdowns.

CityEst. total/mo
Raleigh (this)$274.51
Cary$246.09

More in North Carolina

North Carolina utility costsWake CountyElectric providers in North Carolina

FAQ

Raleigh is served by Duke Energy Progress, and this page uses the North Carolina Public Staff's typical monthly bill at 1,000 kWh for that utility territory. That benchmark makes city-to-city comparison easier across regulated North Carolina utilities, but your actual bill can vary with season, usage, riders, and the specific rate schedule on your account.
Raleigh uses a flat residential wastewater charge, so sewer remains a substantial line item even when water usage is held at the same 5,000-gallon assumption used across the site. That fixed wastewater component is one reason Raleigh's all-in utility total can look different from nearby cities with more usage-based sewer pricing.
Trash in Raleigh 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 Raleigh Solid Waste Fees – Residential Solid Waste Collection Fee.
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 Raleigh with another city side-by-side, or see how we calculate estimates.