Water is a necessary utility cost that varies widely by state due to local water sources, infrastructure age, drought conditions, and municipal pricing. Here’s what households pay across the country.
Table of Contents
National Average
Metric
Value
Average monthly water bill
$55
Average monthly sewer bill
$60
Combined water + sewer
$115
Average household usage
8,000-10,000 gallons/month
Annual water + sewer cost
$1,380
Average Water Bill by State
Monthly cost for water service only (sewer/wastewater listed separately where available):
State
Avg Monthly Water Bill
Avg Combined (Water + Sewer)
Alabama
$45
$100
Alaska
$65
$130
Arizona
$50
$105
Arkansas
$42
$95
California
$70
$140
Colorado
$50
$110
Connecticut
$60
$120
Delaware
$48
$105
Florida
$40
$95
Georgia
$50
$110
Hawaii
$55
$115
Idaho
$40
$90
Illinois
$40
$95
Indiana
$42
$100
Iowa
$40
$95
Kansas
$45
$100
Kentucky
$40
$95
Louisiana
$42
$95
Maine
$45
$100
Maryland
$55
$120
Massachusetts
$55
$115
Michigan
$50
$110
Minnesota
$40
$95
Mississippi
$40
$90
Missouri
$42
$95
Montana
$42
$95
Nebraska
$38
$90
Nevada
$45
$100
New Hampshire
$48
$105
New Jersey
$55
$120
New Mexico
$38
$85
New York
$55
$120
North Carolina
$35
$85
North Dakota
$38
$90
Ohio
$48
$105
Oklahoma
$42
$95
Oregon
$60
$130
Pennsylvania
$55
$120
Rhode Island
$50
$110
South Carolina
$40
$95
South Dakota
$40
$90
Tennessee
$40
$95
Texas
$50
$110
Utah
$40
$90
Vermont
$35
$85
Virginia
$45
$105
Washington
$55
$120
West Virginia
$65
$135
Wisconsin
$35
$85
Wyoming
$42
$95
Most and Least Expensive States
Highest Combined Water + Sewer Bills
Rank
State
Avg Monthly Combined
Key Factor
1
California
$140
Drought surcharges, aging infrastructure
2
West Virginia
$135
Old infrastructure, low population density
3
Oregon
$130
High sewer/stormwater fees
4
Alaska
$130
Remote infrastructure, cold climate
5
New Jersey
$120
Dense population, infrastructure costs
Lowest Combined Water + Sewer Bills
Rank
State
Avg Monthly Combined
Key Factor
1
North Carolina
$85
Abundant water supply
2
New Mexico
$85
Low usage, conservation pricing
3
Vermont
$85
Abundant water, small systems
4
Wisconsin
$85
Great Lakes water access
5
Idaho
$90
Groundwater availability
What’s Included in Your Water Bill
Component
Typical Share
Description
Water supply
40-50%
Sourcing, treatment, delivery
Sewer/wastewater
35-45%
Collection and treatment of wastewater
Stormwater
5-10%
Drainage system maintenance
Base/service charge
Fixed monthly
$10-$30 regardless of usage
What Drives Water Costs
Factor
Impact
Water source
Groundwater cheaper than imported/desalinated
Climate/drought
Drought states add surcharges and tiered pricing
Infrastructure age
Older systems cost more to maintain
Population density
Rural areas pay more per household
Household size
Each person adds ~2,000 gal/month
Lawn irrigation
Can double summer bills
Tiered vs. flat pricing
Tiered rates punish high usage
Average Water Usage by Household
Household Size
Monthly Usage (gal)
Typical Monthly Bill
1 person
3,000-4,000
$30-$45
2 people
5,000-7,000
$40-$60
3 people
7,000-9,000
$50-$75
4 people
8,000-11,000
$55-$85
5+ people
10,000-14,000
$65-$100
How to Lower Your Water Bill
Strategy
Annual Savings
Fix leaks (faucets, toilets)
$100-$200
Low-flow showerheads and faucets
$50-$100
High-efficiency washing machine
$60-$100
Reduce lawn irrigation
$100-$300
Shorter showers (cut by 2 min)
$30-$60
Run dishwasher only when full
$20-$40
Dual-flush or low-flow toilet
$50-$100
Rain barrels for outdoor use
$30-$60
Key Takeaways
The average U.S. water + sewer bill is $100-$130/month (~$1,380/year)
California, West Virginia, and Alaska have the highest bills due to drought, aging infrastructure, and remote systems
North Carolina, Vermont, and Wisconsin are the cheapest thanks to abundant water supply
Sewer charges often exceed water charges — wastewater treatment typically costs more than delivery
Lawn irrigation is the biggest variable cost — outdoor watering can double your summer bill
Simple fixes save $300-$600/year — fixing leaks alone can save $100-$200 annually
