Average Utility Costs in Pennsylvania
Typical monthly utility costs in Pennsylvania are about $269.83/mo, based on 1,000 kWh of electricity and 5,000 gallons of water (plus sewer and trash where available). Compare Pennsylvania cities below to find cheaper vs more expensive areas.
Pennsylvania is an electric choice state: you can shop for supply. Learn how Pennsylvania electric choice (supplier vs. utility) affects your estimate. Electric estimates use a standardized 1,000 kWh assumption based on the serving utility's published benchmark where available; water, sewer, and trash are typically set by each city or county, so costs vary by location.
Average Monthly Utility Costs in Pennsylvania
The average utility bill in Pennsylvania is estimated at $269.83 per month, a typical total assembled from median city estimates for electricity, water, sewer, and trash. To reflect a more typical bill across cities (and reduce the impact of outliers), these "average" values use the median of city estimates.
Assumptions: 1,000 kWh/month and 5,000 gallons/month (where applicable). "Average" values represent the median city estimate; water/sewer/trash medians exclude $0 entries when service or published rates vary by address. Actual bills vary by usage, fees, and provider.
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Pennsylvania electric choice: supplier vs utility (PECO, PPL, Duquesne Light, etc.)
In Pennsylvania your distribution utility (PECO, PPL, Penelec, Duquesne Light, Met-Ed, and others) always handles delivery and wires charges—you don't choose that. Supply (the energy you use) can be shopped, and rates change frequently as suppliers compete. Our estimate uses each utility's published benchmark at 1,000 kWh so cities are comparable; your actual bill depends on which supplier and plan you choose.
The "Price to Compare" is the default supply rate from your utility—use it when shopping at the state's official shopping site. City pages show the rate basis and last-verified dates.
These rankings are estimates for comparison at 1,000 kWh. For the full breakdown (electric, water, sewer, trash) by city, use the comparison table below.
Cheapest electric rates in Pennsylvania
Top 5 cities with the lowest estimated electric bill at 1,000 kWh (based on the serving utility/rate basis used on each city page). See the comparison table below for all cities.
Most expensive total utility monthly cost in Pennsylvania
Top 5 cities with the highest estimated total (electric + water + sewer + trash). See the comparison table for all cities.
Compare all cities
Estimated monthly costs by city, sorted by total (highest first). Same assumed usage (1,000 kWh, 5,000 gal) for comparison; some cities may show $0 when no single published municipal rate is available or service varies by address. 8 cities.
| City | County | Electric | Water | Sewer | Trash | Total | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton | Lackawanna | $129.53 | $112.65 | $162.70 | $27.00 | $431.88 | View Scranton details → |
| York | York | $129.65 | $70.50 | $90.00 | $45.49 | $335.64 | View York details → |
| Allentown | Lehigh | $129.53 | $59.71 | $63.80 | $61.67 | $314.71 | View Allentown details → |
| Pittsburgh | Allegheny | $137.50 | $97.05 | $33.40 | $27.45 | $295.40 | View Pittsburgh details → |
| Harrisburg | Dauphin | $129.53 | $66.32 | $57.15 | $35.57 | $288.57 | View Harrisburg details → |
| Reading | Berks | $129.65 | $47.04 | $31.29 | $22.50 | $230.48 | View Reading details → |
| Erie | Erie | $117.47 | $34.70 | $38.22 | $26.91 | $217.30 | View Erie details → |
| Philadelphia | Philadelphia | $110.20 | $64.01 | $34.50 | $0.00 | $208.71 | View Philadelphia details → |
Pennsylvania counties
View estimated utility costs by county. Each county page lists cities and a comparison table of monthly estimates.
Utility providers in Pennsylvania
In the cities we cover, electric is provided by Met-Ed (FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company) (Reading, York); PECO Energy Company (Philadelphia); Penelec (FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company) (Erie) PA is a choice market; electric Price to Compare (PTC) varies by utility. Water, sewer, and trash are set by city, county, or regional providers. Our estimates use each utility's published rate at 1,000 kWh. City pages show sources and last-verified dates.
See which electric, water, sewer, and trash providers serve different areas of Pennsylvania, along with typical residential rate information and sources.
View utility providers in Pennsylvania →Compare with nearby states
Compare utility costs in Pennsylvania with neighboring states.
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