Knowing what you'll pay for electricity, gas, and water before you move—or before the bill arrives—makes planning easier. Enter your ZIP code and home details to get a personalized estimate based on real rate data for your area.
Electricity rates from U.S. EIA data mapped to ZIP codes. Gas, water, and sewer use regional averages. Updated February 2026.
The calculator identifies your local utilities and rate structures by matching your ZIP code to service territories, similar to how the U.S. Utility Rate Database organizes rate structure information across the country. Here's how the tool processes your information:
Pulls average residential rates ($/kWh for electricity, $/therm for gas, $/1,000 gallons for water) from mapped utility territories.
Applies your entered or estimated usage to local per-unit prices based on home type and occupancy patterns.
Generates monthly and annual projections for each utility type, with a combined total for budgeting.
Electricity is usually the largest and most variable utility cost, and your ZIP code heavily influences the price per kWh you'll pay. Urban areas and regions with high demand often see electricity prices at the upper end of the spectrum. The calculator maps ZIP codes to local utilities—Con Edison, PG&E, Oncor, CenterPoint—and uses their typical residential rates.
Price ranges typically fall between $0.12 and $0.24 per kWh depending on your area. Texas ZIP codes in major metros average around 14 cents per kWh, while coastal and high-demand regions often trend higher due to humidity-driven AC use and grid infrastructure costs.
The calculator is not limited to electricity and also estimates natural gas, water, sewer, and trash costs where data is available.
| Utility | Rate Basis | Example Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Gas | $/therm or $/CCF | Phoenix 85004, Seattle 98101 |
| Water | $/1,000 gallons | Atlanta 30303, Denver 80202 |
| Sewer | Per-unit or % of water | Chicago 60601, Boston 02108 |
| Trash | Monthly flat fee | Varies by city/provider |
ZIP code also reflects your climate zone, which heavily influences heating and cooling energy use throughout the year.
78205 San Antonio, 33101 Miami: Higher summer electricity due to constant AC. Summer bills can double compared to winter.
55401 Minneapolis, 02108 Boston: Higher winter gas or electric heating costs. Winter gas bills can triple summer baseline.
Spring and fall generally see the lowest energy usage across most regions, offering the best months for budgeting.
The calculator provides estimates, not exact bills. Understanding these limitations helps set reasonable expectations.
| Factor | Impact on Accuracy |
|---|---|
| Taxes and fees | Vary even within the same ZIP code |
| ZIP spanning multiple territories | Calculator presents average or typical scenario |
| Demand fees and tiered rates | May not exactly match your actual tariff |
| Mid-year rate changes | Temporarily make estimates less precise |
The calculator serves as a free resource for comparative planning—not a replacement for reviewing your actual utility bills. For important decisions like choosing between providers or budgeting for a new home, use these estimates as a starting point and verify with official resources from your local utility provider.