What Do Utilities Really Cost in San Antonio and Surrounding Cities? (2025 Guide)

San Antonio is served by CPS Energy for electricity and gas, and SAWS for water. Both are municipally owned, which means rates are set locally and tend to be stable.

• Electric: ~12.9¢/kWh all-in (base $9.50/mo + $0.07503/kWh + fuel adjustment)
• Summer peak surcharge (June–September, over 600 kWh): +$0.02150/kWh
• Water: SAWS base $9–11/mo + volumetric

Typical monthly costs:

• 1 BR Apartment: $62–$134/mo
• 3 BR House (1,200–1,600 sqft): $197–$225/mo
• 3 BR House (1,600–2,000 sqft): $232–$253/mo
• 4 BR House (2,000–2,500 sqft): $277–$304/mo
• 5+ BR House (2,500–3,000 sqft): $333–$358/mo

Summer is peak billing season. Electric bills run 30–40% higher June through September.

NBU is a municipal utility handling both electric and water. Electric rates are lower per kWh than CPS, but the base charge is higher at $22.80/mo.

• Electric: ~10.47¢/kWh (FY2026, effective August 2025)
• Gas: CenterPoint Energy

Typical monthly costs:

• 3 BR House (1,200–1,600 sqft): $187–$219/mo
• 4 BR House (2,000–2,500 sqft): $260–$292/mo

NBU approved rate increases effective August 2025 to fund $534.5 million in infrastructure. Expect continued moderate increases.

Boerne is the most expensive utility market in the SABOR area. The city owns its own electric, water, gas, and wastewater systems.

• Electric: ~15.45¢/kWh — significantly higher than SA
• Water base: $32.19/mo (5/8" meter, effective October 2025)

Typical monthly costs:

• 3 BR House (1,200–1,600 sqft): $255–$280/mo — roughly $50–70 more than SA
• 4 BR House (2,000–2,500 sqft): $349–$371/mo
• 5+ BR House (2,500–3,000 sqft): $413–$448/mo

Boerne's water rates increased 7% in February 2025 and again in October 2025 to fund capital improvements.

Both cities are served by Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative (GVEC). Water is handled by the respective cities. Gas is CenterPoint Energy.

• Schertz electric: ~12.68¢/kWh
• Cibolo electric: ~13.20¢/kWh
• Water: ~$40–50/mo combined

Typical monthly costs (Schertz):

• 3 BR House (1,200–1,600 sqft): $199–$228/mo
• 4 BR House (2,000–2,500 sqft): $275–$303/mo

Both cities use CPS Energy and SAWS — same rates as San Antonio proper. See SA numbers above.

Seguin buys wholesale power from CPS Energy and passes it through at one of the lowest rates in the region.

• Electric: ~10¢/kWh all-in (base $16.43/mo + $0.03982 energy + $0.0602 PCRF, effective October 2025)
• Water: City of Seguin — ~$40–55/mo
• Gas: CenterPoint Energy

Typical monthly costs:

• 3 BR House (1,200–1,600 sqft): $165–$200/mo — most affordable in the area
• 4 BR House (2,000–2,500 sqft): $217–$258/mo

San Marcos runs its own municipal utility. Despite a 4.4% rate increase effective October 2025, rates remain among the lowest in the area.

• Electric: ~11.72¢/kWh average
• 1,000 kWh monthly bill: $126.52 (confirmed October 2025)
• Water: ~$50/mo based on 4,800 gallon average usage

Typical monthly costs:

• 3 BR House (1,200–1,600 sqft): $193–$225/mo
• 4 BR House (2,000–2,500 sqft): $248–$282/mo

Canyon Lake has a unique situation agents need to know. There is NO natural gas pipeline. Homes use propane for heating and cooking — which is more expensive and varies with market prices.

• Electric: ~11¢/kWh (PEC co-op)
• Water: Texas Water Company / Liberty Utilities — ~$55–75/mo
• Gas: Propane only — budget $1,500–$3,000/year separately

Typical monthly costs (electric + water only, propane not included):

• 3 BR House (1,200–1,600 sqft): $165–$209/mo
• 4 BR House (2,000–2,500 sqft): $227–$289/mo

When working with buyers in Canyon Lake, make sure they understand propane costs before closing.

Both cities are on CPS Energy. Rates are essentially the same as San Antonio.

• 3 BR House: $201–$229/mo
• 4 BR House: $281–$312/mo