Average Utility Costs in Richmond, VA

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

Average monthly utility costs in Richmond, VA are about $257.94, 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

$257.94

Data freshness: last verified 2026-02-06
  • Electric $79.99 (31%)
  • Water $61.96 (24%)
  • Sewer $86.91 (34%)
  • Trash $29.08 (11%)

Utilities here are about 40% higher than the Virginia city average, driven mainly by sewer.

  • Trash is provided by private haulers; residents choose their own. Our estimate reflects typical rates for the area—contact haulers for exact pricing.

Water

Confirmed
Provider
City of Richmond – Department of Public Utilities (DPU)
Base charge
$17.66/mo
Volumetric rate
$8.86/1,000 gal
Assumed usage
5,000 gal
Estimated monthly
$61.96
rva.gov· verified 2026-02-06

Sewer

Confirmed
Method
tiered
Estimated monthly
$86.91

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

rva.gov· verified 2026-02-06

Trash

Estimated
Monthly fee
$29.08

Solid waste $24.75/mo and recycling $4.33/mo per budget ordinance as reported by The Richmonder (April 2025); combined $29.08/mo. Proposed for FY starting July 1, 2025; news source cited city official.

richmonder.org· verified 2026-02-07

Total estimated monthly utilities

$257.94

What changes your bill most?

  • Electric is about 31% of your estimated utilities here.
  • Every 100 kWh changes your total by about $7.24.
  • Water increases by about $8.86 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 Virginia

Virginia utility costsRichmond (independent city) CountyElectric providers in Virginia

FAQ

In Richmond, 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 Richmond DPU – Utility Rates (monthly wastewater service charges and volume charges) 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 Richmond with another city side-by-side, or see how we calculate estimates.