Average Utility Costs in Winston-Salem, NC

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

Average monthly utility costs in Winston-Salem, NC are about $215.08, 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

$215.08

Data freshness: last verified 2026-03-04
  • Electric $143.39 (67%)
  • Water $29.75 (14%)
  • Sewer $41.94 (19%)
  • Trash $0.00 (0%)

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

  • In North Carolina, 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 and recycling are funded by the municipality at no direct monthly fee to residents; collection may be provided by a contracted hauler. Check your bill for any fees.

Water

Confirmed
Provider
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities
Base charge
$7.82/mo
Volumetric rate
$4.39/1,000 gal
Assumed usage
5,000 gal
Estimated monthly
$29.75
cityofws.org· verified 2026-03-04

Sewer

Confirmed
Method
capacityCommodity
Estimated monthly
$41.94
cityofws.org· verified 2026-03-04

Trash

Estimated
Monthly fee
$0.00

Solid Waste Collections provides weekly garbage pickup. Each home gets one 96-gallon garbage cart and one recycling cart at no cost. No separate monthly fee listed; costs may be covered by general city taxes. Confidence is estimated because funding source (taxes vs. other) is not explicitly confirmed on the page.

cityofws.org· verified 2026-03-04

Total estimated monthly utilities

$215.08

What changes your bill most?

  • Electric is about 67% of your estimated utilities here.
  • Every 100 kWh changes your total by about $12.80.
  • Water increases by about $4.39 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 North Carolina

North Carolina utility costsForsyth CountyElectric providers in North Carolina

FAQ

Trash in Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem – Garbage (Solid Waste Collections).
In Winston-Salem, sewer is billed using a capacity-plus-commodity structure: a capacity charge based on your equivalent residential unit (ERU) and a volumetric charge for usage. Our estimate uses the rates from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities – User Rate & Fee Manual FY2025–26 (sewer readiness-to-serve + sewer consumption) at the assumed 5,000 gallons per month.
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 Winston-Salem with another city side-by-side, or see how we calculate estimates.