When preparing for a move, one important factor to check besides rent or home prices is the monthly utility costs.

Living in Newark, DE, incurs monthly costs for electricity, gas, water, internet, and trash collection. Understanding the approximate scale of each item in advance can help you budget for living expenses.

Electricity is primarily supplied by Delmarva Power (currently part of Exelon) in the Newark area. Rates can vary significantly by season. Electricity costs tend to be higher in the summer months (July-August) when air conditioning is heavily used, and in the winter (December-February) when heating is necessary. For a home with 2-3 bedrooms, summer electricity bills typically range from $150 to $250, while winter bills range from $100 to $200, but these can vary greatly depending on insulation and resident lifestyle patterns. You can check energy-saving programs and low-income household assistance rates (LIHEAP) on the Delmarva Power website.

Natural gas is mainly provided by PSNC Energy or local gas suppliers. For homes using gas heating, winter heating costs can be a burden. The type of heating—gas or electric—can significantly affect winter energy costs, so it's advisable to confirm the heating method before signing a lease. Generally, gas heating is often more efficient than electric heating. Winter gas bills can vary from $50 to $150 per month, depending on room size and insulation.

Water and sewer services are provided by Artesian Water or the Newark city water system. For a typical household, this costs around $30 to $60 per month. Trash and recycling collection fees are billed either with the Newark city water bill or separately, and payments are made quarterly or monthly. Internet service is primarily provided by Comcast Xfinity in Newark, with plans ranging from $50 to over $100 depending on the package. Verizon Fios is also available in some areas.

When you total all utility costs, a typical range for a 1-2 person household is $200 to $400 per month. Since these costs can fluctuate significantly by season, calculating an annual average is more accurate. To improve energy efficiency, methods such as installing a Smart Thermostat, replacing with LED bulbs, and insulating windows can be effective. Before moving in, it's also a good idea to ask the landlord for the previous year's utility bill history to get a clearer picture of actual costs.