Inland Empire
Riverside utility bills in 2026
That's about $5,792 a year for electricity, water, gas, sewer and trash: roughly $550 in a summer month and $416 in winter. Electricity is the biggest piece at $258 a month. The same house in nearby Anaheim comes out about $40 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 | $165 | $161 | $170 | $1,985 |
| 2-bed apartment1,000 sq ft · 2 people · sewer & trash in rent | $278 | $317 | $239 | $3,337 |
| 3-bed house1,600 sq ft · 3 people | $483 | $550 | $416 | $5,792 |
| House + ADU1,600 + 600 sq ft · 5 people · shared meters | $687 | $754 | $621 | $8,246 |
| 4-bed with pool2,600 sq ft · 4 people | $824 | $960 | $687 | $9,883 |
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 Inland Empire.
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 | $258 | Riverside Public Utilities | low 2026 estimatePrototype estimate, not yet checked against the tariff |
| Water | $55 | Riverside Public Utilities | low 2026 estimatePrototype estimate, not yet checked against the tariff |
| Gas | $105 | SoCalGas | medium SoCalGas residential rate, 2026 average price per therm plus monthly customer charge |
| Sewer | $35 | City of Riverside | low 2026 estimatePrototype estimate, not yet checked against the tariff |
| Trash | $30 | City of Riverside | low 2026 estimatePrototype estimate, not yet checked against the tariff |
How Riverside compares nearby
| Same 3-bed house in | Average month | Difference | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | $483 | — | low |
| Rancho Cucamonga16 mi away · Southern California Edison | $585 | +$103 | low |
| Yorba Linda22 mi away · Southern California Edison | $569 | +$87 | low |
| Lake Forest25 mi away · Southern California Edison | $485 | about the same | low |
| Orange26 mi away · Southern California Edison | $541 | +$59 | low |
| Mission Viejo27 mi away · Southern California Edison | $510 | +$28 | low |
| Anaheim27 mi away · Anaheim Public Utilities | $442 | −$40 | low |
Riverside ranks 1 of 2 (cheapest first) among the Inland Empire places BillSwap covers. See every city.
Climate and usage
The average July high in Riverside is about 95°F, so summer air conditioning drives the electric bill. For the typical 3-bed house we model about 1,446 kWh of electricity in a summer month vs 582 in winter, and about 8,400 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
City-owned electric and water.
Ways to lower your bill in Riverside
Discount programs for Riverside Public Utilities customers and SoCalGas (CARE applies to gas too). Programs and income limits change; confirm with the provider. More savings tips.
- CARE gas discountYour electric utility runs its own programs, but if your gas comes from SoCalGas or SDG&E, CARE takes 20% off the gas bill. 2026–27 income limits: $43,280 for 1–2 people, $54,640 for 3, $66,000 for 4.
- 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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