#2 most expensive of 37 cities
Average utility bills in Chicago, IL
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household · Q1 2026
Total monthly utilities
$307
National avg: $277/mo · $30 above average
High gas heating in winter
Monthly bill breakdown
Electricity
Varies most by climate zone and home size.
$100/mo
-2% vs national avg ($102/mo)
Natural Gas
Higher in cold-climate cities, near zero in the South.
$85/mo
+49% vs national avg ($57/mo)
Water & Sewer
Rates set by local municipality.
$40/mo
0% vs national avg ($40/mo)
Internet
Assumes 100 Mbps+ broadband plan.
$58/mo
+2% vs national avg ($57/mo)
Trash & Recycling
Some cities bundle this into property taxes.
$24/mo
-11% vs national avg ($27/mo)
Estimates based on EIA residential data, BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey, and ISP market surveys. Actual bills vary by home size (data assumes 1,800 sq ft), usage habits, and provider.