Average Utility Costs in Seattle, WA

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

Average monthly utility costs in Seattle, WA are about $343.76, 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

$343.76

Data freshness: last verified 2026-02-11
  • Electric $151.69 (44%)
  • Water $60.25 (18%)
  • Sewer $86.77 (25%)
  • Trash $45.05 (13%)

Utilities here are about 10% higher than the Washington city average, driven mainly by electric rates.

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

Electric

Confirmed
Provider
Seattle City Light
Base charge
$12.49/mo
Energy rate
$0.1392/kWh
Assumed usage
1000 kWh
Estimated monthly
$151.69
seattle.gov· verified 2026-02-11

Seattle City Light is municipal; one of the nation's largest public power systems. TOU option coming soon (peak 5–9PM Mon–Sat). Burien, Shoreline, and unincorporated King County have different providers and rates.

Water

Confirmed
Provider
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU)
Base charge
$21.35/mo
Volumetric rate
$7.78/1,000 gal
Assumed usage
5,000 gal
Estimated monthly
$60.25

Inside Seattle 3/4" meter: base $21.35/mo (2026). Commodity: off-peak (Sept 16–May 15) $5.82/CCF; peak (May 16–Sept 15) tiered $5.98–$11.80/CCF. 1 CCF = 748 gal. At 5,000 gal (6.68 CCF), off-peak: $21.35 + $38.88 ≈ $60.23/mo. ratePer1000Gal ≈ $5.82/0.748.

seattle.gov· verified 2026-02-11

Sewer

Confirmed
Method
tiered
Estimated monthly
$86.77

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

2026 typical single-family residential $86.77/mo. Rate $20.18/CCF; typical 4.3 CCF/mo. Billed bimonthly. Summer (May–Oct) based on winter (Nov–Apr) water use.

seattle.gov· verified 2026-02-11

Trash

Confirmed
Monthly fee
$45.05

32-gallon cart curb: $45.05/mo (Apr 2025). Micro 12-gal $28.25; mini 20-gal $34.65; 64-gal $89.95; 96-gal $135.05. Backyard pickup higher.

seattle.gov· verified 2026-02-11

Total estimated monthly utilities

$343.76

What changes your bill most?

  • Electric is about 44% of your estimated utilities here.
  • Every 100 kWh changes your total by about $13.92.
  • Water increases by about $7.78 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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Nearby Cities Utility Costs

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

CityEst. total/mo
Seattle (this)$343.76
Bellevue$424.07
Kent$315.02
Auburn$300.91
Kirkland$407.13

More in Washington

Washington utility costsKing CountyElectric providers in Washington

FAQ

In Seattle, sewer is billed in tiers based on usage, so the rate per gallon changes with volume. Our estimate uses the rate structure from Seattle Public Utilities – Sewer Rates (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. Washington is a regulated electric state; our estimates use the serving utility's tariff at 1,000 kWh for comparison.
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 Seattle with another city side-by-side, or see how we calculate estimates.