Average Utility Costs in Houston, TX

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

Average monthly utility costs in Houston, TX are about $239.63, 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

$239.63

Estimated average monthly utilities in Houston are ~$239.63 (1,000 kWh + 5,000 gal assumptions). Average water bill estimate: ~$44.78/mo at 5,000 gallons.

Data freshness: last verified 2026-01-28
  • Electric $135.90 (57%)
  • Water $44.78 (19%)
  • Sewer $58.95 (25%)
  • Trash $0.00 (0%)

Utilities here are about 5% higher than the Texas city average, driven mainly by water.

  • In Texas, cooling demand often makes electric the largest share of the bill.

Houston electric: competitive (deregulated) market

Houston is in Texas's deregulated electric market. CenterPoint Energy is your transmission and distribution utility (TDU)—they deliver power and charge a regulated delivery fee ($4.90/mo + 6.0009¢/kWh). You choose a Retail Electric Provider (REP) for supply; REP rates and plans vary.

Our estimated electric total above uses TDU delivery + average marketplace supply (~13.1¢/kWh total at 1,000 kWh). We do not update daily—rates change frequently. Actual bills depend on the plan you pick; current REP offers range from about 9¢ to 18¢/kWh (supply only). For an accurate estimate, compare current plans at Choose Texas Power or the state's Power to Choose for the latest rates.

Water

Confirmed
Provider
Houston Public Works (City of Houston)
Base charge
$0.00/mo
Volumetric rate
$8.96/1,000 gal
Assumed usage
5,000 gal
Estimated monthly
$44.78
houstontx.gov· verified 2026-01-28

Sewer

Confirmed
Method
tiered
Estimated monthly
$58.95

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

houstontx.gov· verified 2026-01-28

Trash

Confirmed
Monthly fee
$0.00

Houston does not currently charge a direct monthly residential trash fee; service is funded through other city revenues. Multiple proposals/studies have been discussed but not implemented.

houstonchronicle.com· verified 2026-01-28

Total estimated monthly utilities

$239.63

What changes your bill most?

  • Electric is about 57% of your estimated utilities here.
  • Every 100 kWh changes your total by about $13.10.
  • Water increases by about $8.96 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 Texas

Texas utility costsHarris CountyElectric providers in Texas

FAQ

In Houston, electric is deregulated: you choose a retail electric provider (REP) for supply, while the transmission and distribution utility (TDU) delivers power. Our estimate uses regulated delivery charges plus a typical supply rate so you can compare total utility costs. Your actual supply rate depends on the plan you choose.
In Houston, sewer is billed in tiers based on usage, so the rate per gallon changes with volume. Our estimate uses the rate structure from City of Houston Public Works — Table of Water & Wastewater Rates (Ordinance 2021-515; FYEs 2022–2026) at the assumed 5,000 gallons per month. Your bill will vary with actual usage.
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 Houston with another city side-by-side, or see how we calculate estimates.