Orange County
Irvine utility bills in 2026
That's about $6,147 a year for electricity, water, gas, sewer and trash: roughly $557 in a summer month and $467 in winter. Electricity is the biggest piece at $303 a month. The same house in nearby Lake Forest comes out about $28 a month less.
Medium confidence. Built mostly from official rate schedules; at least one service uses an older or partly confirmed rate.
Estimated bills by household
| Household | Average month | Summer month | Winter month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment700 sq ft · 1 person · sewer & trash in rent | $198 | $194 | $202 | $2,374 |
| 2-bed apartment1,000 sq ft · 2 people · sewer & trash in rent | $307 | $333 | $282 | $3,689 |
| 3-bed house1,600 sq ft · 3 people | $512 | $557 | $467 | $6,147 |
| House + ADU1,600 + 600 sq ft · 5 people · shared meters | $812 | $840 | $784 | $9,740 |
| 4-bed with pool2,600 sq ft · 4 people | $921 | $1,035 | $806 | $11,047 |
Summer is June to September; the average month is halfway between summer and winter. No solar. Apartment rows assume sewer and trash are included in rent, which is common in Orange County.
Where the money goes
Typical 3-bed house, 1,600 sq ft, 3 people, central AC, gas heat, small yard.
| Service | Average month | Provider | Rate basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | $303 | Southern California Edison | medium Oct 1, 2026 · sourceSCE Schedule D tiered rate: 30¢ / 39¢ per kWh and $0.79/day base services charge. Baseline for climate zone 9: 16.9 kWh/day summer, 12 winter (zone estimated from local climate). City utility tax not included. |
| Water | $50 | Irvine Ranch Water District | high Jul 1, 2026 · sourceIRWD residential detached: $23.40 service charge (3/4-inch) and budget-based tiers $2.18 / $2.92 / $8.03 / $19.32 per CCF. Budget = 50 gal/person/day indoor + landscape allowance (outdoor estimated). |
| Gas | $92 | SoCalGas | medium SoCalGas residential rate, 2026 average price per therm plus monthly customer charge |
| Sewer | $38 | IRWD | high Jul 1, 2026 · sourceIRWD single-family sewer, tiered by lowest winter water use |
| Trash | $30 | IRWD | high Jul 1, 2026 · sourceCity of Irvine / Waste Management single-family cart service |
How Irvine compares nearby
| Same 3-bed house in | Average month | Difference | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irvine | $512 | — | medium |
| Tustin4 mi away · Southern California Edison | $525 | +$13 | low |
| Lake Forest6 mi away · Southern California Edison | $485 | −$28 | low |
| Newport Beach7 mi away · Southern California Edison | $499 | −$13 | low |
| Santa Ana7 mi away · Southern California Edison | $537 | +$25 | low |
| Costa Mesa8 mi away · Southern California Edison | $513 | about the same | low |
| Mission Viejo8 mi away · Southern California Edison | $510 | about the same | low |
Irvine ranks 5 of 10 (cheapest first) among the Orange County places BillSwap covers. See every city.
Climate and usage
The average July high in Irvine is about 83°F. For the typical 3-bed house we model about 1,050 kWh of electricity in a summer month vs 582 in winter, and about 7,800 gallons of water a month in summer vs 6,500 in winter. Appliances and occupants are the same in every city; heating, cooling and yard watering follow the local climate.
Good to know
IRWD uses a household water budget. Going over it costs much more.
Ways to lower your bill in Irvine
Discount programs for Southern California Edison customers and SoCalGas (CARE applies to gas too). Programs and income limits change; confirm with the provider. More savings tips.
- CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy)30–35% off electricity and 20% off natural gas for income-qualified households. 2026–27 income limits: $43,280 for 1–2 people, $54,640 for 3, $66,000 for 4. Apply through your electric or gas company.
- FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance)18% off electricity for families just over the CARE limits: up to $54,100 for 1–2 people, $68,300 for 3, $82,500 for 4. SCE, SDG&E and PG&E only.
- Medical BaselineIf someone at home relies on powered medical equipment or has qualifying medical needs, your utility adds extra energy at the lowest price (SCE adds about 16.5 kWh a day). Many city-owned utilities have similar programs. A doctor certifies eligibility.
- LIHEAP (federal energy bill help)A one-time payment toward heating or cooling bills, or emergency help if you face a shutoff, plus free weatherization. 2026 monthly income limits start at $3,332 for 1 person and $6,407 for 4. Apply through your local agency, found on the state CSD site.
- 211 LAFree referral line (dial 2-1-1) that finds local utility discounts and bill-payment help, including city programs not listed here.
How these estimates work
BillSwap models one household's monthly use (kWh of electricity, gallons of water, therms of gas) from its size, occupants and climate, then runs it through each utility's published rate schedule: tiers, fixed monthly charges and, where known, local utility taxes. Sewer and trash use each city's charge. Nothing here comes from a real bill, so your actual bill will differ with your habits, appliances and exact address. Describe your own household for a closer estimate.
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