Average Utility Costs in Reading, PA

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

Average monthly utility costs in Reading, PA are about $230.48, 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

$230.48

Data freshness: last verified 2026-01-27
  • Electric $129.65 (56%)
  • Water $47.04 (20%)
  • Sewer $31.29 (14%)
  • Trash $22.50 (10%)

Utilities here are about 20% lower than the Pennsylvania city average, driven mainly by sewer.

  • In Pennsylvania, 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.
  • City-provided trash is billed at a monthly fee ($22.50 in our estimate).

Water

Estimated
Provider
Reading Area Water Authority
Base charge
$19.54/mo
Volumetric rate
$5.50/1,000 gal
Assumed usage
5,000 gal
Estimated monthly
$47.04
readingareawater.com· verified 2026-02-06

Trash

Confirmed
Monthly fee
$22.50

$22.50/month per unit; $11.25/month for qualified seniors.

readingpa.gov· verified 2026-02-06

Total estimated monthly utilities

$230.48

What changes your bill most?

  • Electric is about 56% of your estimated utilities here.
  • Every 100 kWh changes your total by about $12.96.
  • Water increases by about $5.50 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 Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania utility costsBerks CountyElectric providers in Pennsylvania

FAQ

Trash in Reading 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 Reading – Residential Trash & Recycling.
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 Reading with another city side-by-side, or see how we calculate estimates.