South Orange County · Beach town
San Clemente utility bills in 2026
That's about $6,380 a year for electricity, water, gas, sewer and trash: roughly $553 in a summer month and $510 in winter. Electricity is the biggest piece at $321 a month. The same house in nearby Laguna Beach comes out about $36 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 | $217 | $212 | $221 | $2,599 |
| 2-bed apartment1,000 sq ft · 2 people · sewer & trash in rent | $329 | $341 | $318 | $3,953 |
| 3-bed house1,600 sq ft · 3 people | $532 | $553 | $510 | $6,380 |
| House + ADU1,600 + 600 sq ft · 5 people · shared meters | $839 | $848 | $830 | $10,066 |
| 4-bed with pool2,600 sq ft · 4 people | $967 | $1,044 | $890 | $11,606 |
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 South 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 | $321 | SDG&E | low 2026 estimatePrototype estimate, not yet checked against the tariff |
| Water | $68 | City of San Clemente Water | low 2026 estimatePrototype estimate, not yet checked against the tariff |
| Gas | $84 | SoCalGas | medium SoCalGas residential rate, 2026 average price per therm plus monthly customer charge |
| Sewer | $30 | City of San Clemente | low 2026 estimatePrototype estimate, not yet checked against the tariff |
| Trash | $29 | City of San Clemente | medium Jul 2023 rate + 3%/yr · sourceOC Waste & Recycling 2023 trash rate survey ($26.17/mo), adjusted +3% per year to 2026 |
How San Clemente compares nearby
| Same 3-bed house in | Average month | Difference | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Clemente | $532 | — | low |
| Dana Point5 mi away · SDG&E | $550 | +$18 | low |
| Laguna Niguel8 mi away · SDG&E | $552 | +$20 | low |
| Laguna Beach11 mi away · Southern California Edison | $496 | −$36 | low |
| Mission Viejo11 mi away · Southern California Edison | $510 | −$21 | low |
| Lake Forest15 mi away · Southern California Edison | $485 | −$47 | low |
| Irvine18 mi away · Southern California Edison | $512 | −$19 | medium |
San Clemente ranks 4 of 6 (cheapest first) among the South Orange County places BillSwap covers. See every city.
Climate and usage
The average July high in San Clemente is about 75°F, and as a beach town it needs far less summer air conditioning than inland neighbors. For the typical 3-bed house we model about 798 kWh of electricity in a summer month vs 582 in winter, and about 7,400 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
Estimate. San Clemente is on SDG&E electric (not SCE) and SoCalGas.
Ways to lower your bill in San Clemente
Discount programs for SDG&E 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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