Our calculators
Electric Bill Calculator
kWh used × your rate + the fixed delivery fee. Prefilled with the Texas average of 15.94¢/kWh (EIA, Nov 2026) and the fixed-plan range for comparison.
Open calculator →Water, Sewer & Trash Calculator
Gallons used × water and sewer rates + the trash fee. One-click presets for Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio at real Oct 2026 posted rates.
Open calculator →Natural Gas Bill Calculator
Therms used × $/therm + the fixed fee. Prefilled at $1.38/therm (EIA, Nov 2026) with the typical 37 therms a month.
Open calculator →Total Monthly Utility Bill Calculator
Electric + water + gas + internet in one number — and what share of your take-home pay it eats. Texas total runs about $373 a month at typical use.
Open calculator →EV vs Hybrid vs Gas: 5-Year True Cost
Used EV vs hybrid vs gas car over 5 years — payment, charging or fuel, maintenance, and insurance. Default answer: the EV wins by about $3,875.
Open calculator →Solar Panel Payback Calculator
System size × installed cost ÷ yearly bill savings = payback years. The federal 30% credit ended Dec 31, 2025 — the calculator shows the real number now, and what it used to be.
Open calculator →Home EV Charging Cost Calculator
Peak vs off-peak rates with a slider for how much you charge overnight. See the monthly cost, the off-peak saving, and the saving vs gasoline.
Open calculator →Texas Utility Comparison — November 2026
Deregulated Texas electricity means your rate depends on the plan you pick, not just your usage. These are the cheapest advertised starting rates in Houston (ZIP 77003, 1,000 kWh) checked November 2026. Gas and water, by contrast, have one provider per area — you don't choose them, you budget for them.
| Service | Cheapest starting rate / provider | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | Rhythm Energy — 7.3¢/kWh, 20 months | Lowest advertised rate; many cheap plans only pay off if you hit a usage target. |
| Electricity | TXU Energy — 9.5¢/kWh, 12 months | Highest-rated of the big retailers in public reviews (4.7/5). |
| Natural gas | One provider per area (Atmos, CenterPoint, Texas Gas Service) | You can't shop for gas in Texas — the rate is set by your local utility. |
| Water | Dallas $66.71/mo — cheapest of the big four at 6,000 gal | Austin is the priciest at $134.24/mo for water + sewer at the same usage. |
Prices change often — verify on the provider's site before you switch. Full table, ratings, and sources on the comparison page.
Save Water & Power: Top-Rated Picks
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) with Temperature Sensor
Smart thermostat — set schedules and save on heating and cooling without thinking about it.
4.4 stars (636 ratings, Amazon, Nov 2026)
View on Amazon →Kasa Smart Plug HS103P2 (2-pack)
Smart plugs — kill standby power on TVs and chargers and put them on a schedule.
4.6 stars (about 137,576 ratings, Amazon, Nov 2026)
View on Amazon →Speakman S-2005-HB-E2 Hotel Anystream Shower Head, 2.0 GPM (WaterSense)
Low-flow showerhead — same shower, less hot water, lower water and gas bills.
View on Amazon →Brita Large 10-Cup Water Filter Pitcher
Filter pitcher — better-tasting tap water without buying bottled water every week.
4.5 stars (4,154 ratings, Amazon, Nov 2026)
View on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prices are set by Amazon — check the product page for the current price.
Why these numbers are different
Every rate is dated
Each prefilled number carries its month and source — EIA, city posted rates, iSeeCars — so you can tell a fresh figure from a stale one.
Every number is editable
Your bill is yours. Change any rate, usage, or fee and the answer updates instantly. Nothing is locked to our defaults.
Texas first
Presets cover Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, plus a statewide average, because Texas rates vary a lot by city and provider.
No account, no tracking
All math runs in your browser. There is no sign-up, and nothing you type is sent to us.
How to use these calculators
Start with the electric bill calculator — it is the biggest utility bill for most Texas homes, and the rate you pay depends heavily on the plan you picked. If your bill is higher than the calculator says, check whether you are on a variable-rate plan or missed a usage target on a bill-credit plan.
Then add up the total monthly bill. Utilities are usually 7–10% of take-home pay for a typical Texas household; over 20% is a sign to shop your electric plan, check for leaks, or look at insulation and thermostat habits.
If you drive an EV or are thinking about one, the two EV calculators work as a pair: the 5-year comparison tells you whether the car itself saves money, and the home charging calculator tells you what the electricity actually costs month to month — especially if you charge overnight at off-peak rates.
Solar only pays if the math works at today's rules. The 30% federal credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025, so run the payback with $0 credit first, and treat the old-credit line as history, not a promise.
Frequently asked questions
Are these calculators really free?
Yes. Every tool is free with no usage limits and no account required.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. All calculations happen locally in your browser using JavaScript. There are no user accounts, and the numbers you enter are never transmitted to us.
How accurate are the prefilled rates?
They are dated snapshots: Texas electricity at 15.94¢/kWh (EIA, Nov 2026), natural gas at $1.38/therm (EIA, Nov 2026), and city water and sewer at October 2026 posted rates. Rates change — treat the defaults as a starting point and replace them with the numbers on your own bill.
Why is my electric bill higher than the calculator says?
The usual reasons: you are on a variable-rate plan, you missed the usage target on a bill-credit plan (many cheap advertised rates only apply if you use close to 1,000 or 2,000 kWh), or delivery charges and taxes were added on top of the energy rate. Check the plan details on your bill.
Can I really choose my electricity provider in Texas?
In most of Texas, yes — about 85% of the state is deregulated, including Houston, Dallas, and most suburbs. Austin and San Antonio are exceptions: Austin Energy and CPS Energy are municipal utilities with no retail choice.
Sister Tools — Free Calculators From the Same Team
HouseCanAfford — Home Affordability
Mortgage, down payment, and true monthly housing cost calculators in English, Chinese, and Spanish.
Visit →CarCanAfford — Car Affordability
Car payment, lease vs buy, total cost of ownership, and used EV vs hybrid vs gas comparisons.
Visit →CardPayoffTools — Credit Card Payoff
Payoff plans, avalanche vs snowball, and balance-transfer calculators to get out of card debt faster.
Visit →StudentLoanCanAfford — Student Loans
Student loan payment, RAP vs IBR vs standard, refinance, and total monthly burden calculators.
Visit →1099WorkTools — Self-Employed Finance
Self-employment tax, quarterly estimated tax, mileage deduction, invoicing, and real hourly wage tools for gig and freelance workers.
Visit →