While setting up your budget for living in Chicago, you’ll need to consider how much your monthly water bill will cost. 

The Average Water Bill in Chicago

In Chicago, how water is measured depends on whether or not the property has a water meter. While water meters help save water and money, most Chicago homes don’t have meters. This means that the water bill is influenced primarily by the size of the house, the number of people in your home and whether or not you have appliances. Property type also affects what you’ll pay for H20.

The water rate is approved by the Mayor and the Chicago City Council. This rate changes yearly, and lately, it has been increasing. In fact, this past year, it rose five percent. Chicagoans can now expect to pay $4.33 per 1000 gallons.

While estimates vary, an average person uses 100 gallons of water daily for indoor use. This includes showering, washing dishes, and doing laundry.

To start, let’s take a look at the average water bill in Chicago based on your property situation.

If you’re residing in an apartment, your landlord will likely pay the water bill and include this expense in your rent. This isn’t required, and it’s also not the case everywhere, but it is common in Chicago. However, be sure to verify this before signing a lease. Check to see whose legal responsibility it is to cover this cost. If it’s on you to set aside cash for water, you can expect to pay around $40 a month.

Now, when it comes to condos, as the owner, the cost of water is on your plate. It will likely run you near $40 as well. Again, this depends on the size of your condo and other variables.

If you’re a homeowner living in a non-metered home, the average cost for water bills is around $1,166. However, if your single-family home is metered, you can expect to pay closer to $670.

Remember that the average water bill in Chicago fluctuates, and these numbers are rough estimates based on city averages. Also, as you are budgeting, be sure to account for anticipated gas and electric costs as well.

If you’re ready to find a luxury property in the Windy City, connect with one of our experienced brokers. They can help you find your dream home and also help you account for all the expenses involved in this process.

Interested in learning what all other living expenses there are to consider in Chicago? Follow the link below!