Westside & South Bay
West LA utility bills in 2026
That's about $7,139 a year for electricity, water, gas, sewer and trash: roughly $627 in a summer month and $563 in winter. Electricity is the biggest piece at $248 a month. The same house in nearby Santa Monica comes out about $66 a month less.
High confidence. Built from official, current rate schedules for every service.
Estimated bills by household
| Household | Average month | Summer month | Winter month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment700 sq ft · 1 person · sewer & trash in rent | $171 | $165 | $177 | $2,056 |
| 2-bed apartment1,000 sq ft · 2 people · sewer & trash in rent | $290 | $304 | $276 | $3,482 |
| 3-bed house1,600 sq ft · 3 people | $595 | $627 | $563 | $7,139 |
| House + ADU1,600 + 600 sq ft · 5 people · shared meters | $954 | $1,001 | $906 | $11,446 |
| 4-bed with pool2,600 sq ft · 4 people | $1,124 | $1,265 | $984 | $13,492 |
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 Westside & South Bay.
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 | $248 | LADWP | high Oct–Dec 2026 (Jul–Sep for summer) · sourceLADWP Schedule R-1A, 2026 prices incl. adjustment factors, plus 10% LA utility users tax |
| Water | $114 | LADWP (water) | high Jul–Dec 2026 · sourceLADWP Schedule A single-family, tiers by lot size |
| Gas | $95 | SoCalGas | medium SoCalGas residential rate, 2026 average price per therm plus monthly customer charge |
| Sewer | $79 | City of LA | high Jul 2026 · sourceLA Sanitation sewer service charge $10.13 per HCF of winter water use |
| Trash | $60 | City of LA | high Jul 2026 · sourceLA Sanitation Solid Resources Fee, single-family |
How West LA compares nearby
| Same 3-bed house in | Average month | Difference | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| West LA | $595 | — | high |
| Santa Monica2 mi away · Southern California Edison | $529 | −$66 | low |
| Venice3 mi away · LADWP | $571 | −$24 | high |
| Beverly Hills4 mi away · Southern California Edison | $564 | −$31 | low |
| Culver City4 mi away · Southern California Edison | $508 | −$87 | low |
| West Hollywood5 mi away · Southern California Edison | $562 | −$33 | medium |
| Westchester7 mi away · LADWP | $578 | −$17 | high |
West LA ranks 23 of 23 (cheapest first) among the Westside & South Bay places BillSwap covers. See every city.
Climate and usage
The average July high in West LA is about 78°F. For the typical 3-bed house we model about 906 kWh of electricity in a summer month vs 582 in winter, and about 7,500 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
Coastal LA neighborhood on LADWP. Assumes heat Zone 1.
Ways to lower your bill in West LA
Discount programs for LADWP customers and SoCalGas (CARE applies to gas too). Programs and income limits change; confirm with the provider. More savings tips.
- LADWP EZ-SAVE and LifelineDiscounts on the electric and sewer parts of the LADWP bill: EZ-SAVE for income-qualified households, Lifeline (larger discount) for customers 62+ or with a disability. The old water discount ended in July 2023 after a court ruling. LADWP also offers Level Pay and interest-free payment plans.
- 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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