Average Utility Costs in Texas
Typical monthly utility costs in Texas are about $232.40/mo, based on 1,000 kWh of electricity and 5,000 gallons of water (plus sewer and trash where available). Compare Texas cities below to find cheaper vs more expensive areas.
Average Monthly Utility Costs in Texas
The average utility bill in Texas is estimated at $232.40 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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Electric in Texas: regulated vs. competitive markets
Texas is a mix of regulated and competitive (deregulated) electric markets. In Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth, you choose a Retail Electric Provider (REP) for energy supply; the Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU)—CenterPoint in Houston, Oncor in Dallas/Fort Worth—delivers power and charges a regulated delivery fee. For those cities we show an estimated total using TDU delivery + a representative supply benchmark from marketplace data; plans vary by contract length, fees, and usage levels. We do not update this benchmark daily; REP rates change frequently. For an accurate estimate, compare current plans at the state-run Power to Choose or at marketplace sites such as Choose Texas Power, and add delivery charges from your TDU. In Austin and San Antonio, a single municipal utility (Austin Energy, CPS Energy) provides both supply and delivery, so we show a full-bill estimate where tariff data is available.
ERCOT
Most of Texas is on the ERCOT grid (Electric Reliability Council of Texas). ERCOT operates the grid; it does not set your retail rate. Your bill comes from your electric provider and, in competitive areas, from the TDU. Wholesale price swings can affect REP plans and municipal fuel or power supply adjustments.
Comparing cities
City electric estimates for Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth use TDU + a representative supply benchmark; actual bills depend on the REP plan you choose. Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso use single-provider tariff data. Water, sewer, and trash are comparable across cities where we have confirmed rates.
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 Texas
Cities with the lowest estimated electric bill at 1,000 kWh (where we have a full-bill estimate). See the comparison table below for all cities.
Most expensive total utility monthly cost in Texas
Top 5 cities with the highest estimated total (electric + water + sewer + trash). See the comparison table for all cities. High totals are often driven by sewer/trash fixed fees and local rate structures, not just electric.
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. 6 cities.
| City | County | Electric | Water | Sewer | Trash | Total | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | Dallas | $185.06 | $19.43 | $36.29 | $40.09 | $280.87 | View Dallas details → |
| Austin | Travis | $136.00 | $42.01 | $64.06 | $36.30 | $278.37 | View Austin details → |
| Fort Worth | Tarrant | $185.06 | $29.61 | $36.64 | $19.50 | $270.81 | View Fort Worth details → |
| Houston | Harris | $135.90 | $44.78 | $58.95 | $0.00 | $239.63 | View Houston details → |
| San Antonio | Bexar | $98.69 | $14.80 | $25.13 | $25.26 | $163.88 | View San Antonio details → |
| El Paso | El Paso | $100.96 | $10.55 | $45.66 | $0.00 | $157.17 | View El Paso details → |
Texas counties
View estimated utility costs by county. Each county page lists cities and a comparison table of monthly estimates.
Utility providers in Texas
In the cities we cover, electric is provided by Austin Energy (Austin); CenterPoint Energy (TDU Delivery – Houston area) (Houston); El Paso Electric Company (El Paso, Las Cruces); Oncor Electric Delivery (Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington) Dallas, Houston, and Fort Worth are in the competitive market; customers choose a Retail Electric Provider (REP). Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso have municipal or regulated electric. 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 Texas, along with typical residential rate information and sources.
View utility providers in Texas →Compare with nearby states
Compare utility costs in Texas with neighboring states.
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