Orange County
Orange utility bills in 2026
That's about $6,495 a year for electricity, water, gas, sewer and trash: roughly $608 in a summer month and $474 in winter. Electricity is the biggest piece at $324 a month. The same house in nearby Anaheim comes out about $99 a month less.
Rough estimate. At least one service (usually water, sewer or trash) is still an estimate that hasn’t been checked against local rates. Treat the total as a rough guide.
Estimated bills by household
| Household | Average month | Summer month | Winter month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment700 sq ft · 1 person · sewer & trash in rent | $202 | $200 | $204 | $2,426 |
| 2-bed apartment1,000 sq ft · 2 people · sewer & trash in rent | $324 | $361 | $288 | $3,893 |
| 3-bed house1,600 sq ft · 3 people | $541 | $608 | $474 | $6,495 |
| House + ADU1,600 + 600 sq ft · 5 people · shared meters | $816 | $879 | $754 | $9,798 |
| 4-bed with pool2,600 sq ft · 4 people | $964 | $1,115 | $814 | $11,573 |
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 | $324 | 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 | $63 | City of Orange Water | low 2026 estimatePrototype estimate, not yet checked against the tariff |
| Gas | $94 | SoCalGas | medium SoCalGas residential rate, 2026 average price per therm plus monthly customer charge |
| Sewer | $37 | City of Orange / OC San | medium FY 2026–27 · sourceOC San single-family sewer fee $397/yr (property tax bill) plus an estimated $4/mo local collection charge |
| Trash | $22 | City of Orange / OC San | medium Jul 2023 rate + 3%/yr · sourceOC Waste & Recycling 2023 trash rate survey ($20.56/mo), adjusted +3% per year to 2026 |
How Orange compares nearby
| Same 3-bed house in | Average month | Difference | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange | $541 | — | low |
| Anaheim3 mi away · Anaheim Public Utilities | $442 | −$99 | low |
| Tustin5 mi away · Southern California Edison | $525 | −$16 | low |
| Santa Ana6 mi away · Southern California Edison | $537 | −$4 | low |
| Yorba Linda7 mi away · Southern California Edison | $569 | +$28 | low |
| Garden Grove8 mi away · Southern California Edison | $522 | −$20 | low |
| Fullerton8 mi away · Southern California Edison | $553 | +$12 | low |
Orange ranks 9 of 10 (cheapest first) among the Orange County places BillSwap covers. See every city.
Climate and usage
The average July high in Orange is about 87°F. For the typical 3-bed house we model about 1,158 kWh of electricity in a summer month vs 582 in winter, and about 7,900 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
Estimate. Water, sewer and trash not yet checked against city rates.
Ways to lower your bill in Orange
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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