Average Utility Costs in Charleston, SC

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

Average monthly utility costs in Charleston, SC are about $277.24, 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

$277.24

Estimated average monthly utilities in Charleston are ~$277.24 (1,000 kWh + 5,000 gal assumptions). Average water bill estimate: ~$27.49/mo at 5,000 gallons.

Data freshness: last verified 2026-02-17
  • Electric $164.32 (59%)
  • Water $27.49 (10%)
  • Sewer $85.43 (31%)
  • Trash $0.00 (0%)

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

  • In South Carolina, heating and cooling often makes electric the largest share of the bill.
  • 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
Charleston Water System (CWS)
Base charge
$27.49/mo
Volumetric rate
$0.00/1,000 gal
Assumed usage
5,000 gal
Monthly total
$27.49
charlestonwater.com· verified 2026-02-17

Sewer

Confirmed
Method
tiered
Monthly total
$85.43

Tiered structure simplified to a representative monthly estimate at assumed usage.

charlestonwater.com· verified 2026-02-17

Trash

Confirmed
Monthly fee
$0.00

City provides garbage, trash, yard waste collection. 96-gal cart; once weekly. No separate monthly fee shown; funded through city budget/taxes.

charleston-sc.gov· verified 2026-02-17

Total estimated monthly utilities

$277.24

What changes your bill most?

  • Electric is about 59% of your estimated utilities here.
  • Every 100 kWh changes your total by about $15.43.

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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Nearby Cities Utility Costs

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

CityEst. total/mo
Charleston (this)$277.24
Mount Pleasant$280.12

More in South Carolina

South Carolina utility costsUtility providers in South Carolina

FAQ

In Charleston, sewer is billed in tiers based on usage, so the rate per gallon changes with volume. Our estimate uses the rate structure from Charleston Water System – Sewer Rates (effective Jan 1, 2025) at the assumed 5,000 gallons per month. Your bill will vary with actual usage.
Trash in Charleston 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 Charleston – Environmental Services (Garbage, Trash & Refuse).
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 Charleston with another city side-by-side, or see how we calculate estimates.