Average Utility costs (Murfreesboro, Rutherford: how much, house, purchase)

[lvaughan11]

My family is investigating a move from Canada to the Nashville area. We are looking at Rutherford County. To be more specific, we will want a four bedroom, newer built home. Could anyone give me an indication of utility costs for a home this size? I noticed that most homes are heated by Electricity, vs gas. Also, do you pay extra for garbage pickup? It would be helpful if someone could provide a list of bills that one pays for in Nashville as it may be different from Canada.

Also, do you pay a fee for public schools, other than meals?

I thank you for your help!

[alleycat]

I can give you my costs for Metro Nashville Davidson County. Rutherford County might be slightly different.

Electricity - Approximately .08 cents per KWH.
Trash Pickup - $16 per month (if I were in a different part of Metro Nashville trash pickup would be free but I would pay higher property taxes).
Water - $13 a month (if I were on Metro Water this will be considerably higher).

There might be some minor fees for public schools (for example, for art supplies), but basically, no, you don't have to pay any fees. Meals are subsidized so they're relatively cheap.

The majority of homes here do use electric for both cooking and heating; but there are also quite a few who use gas. Depends on whether it's available in the area in question or not.

[Diane Giam]

On Metro water I pay approximently $45 a month, a little more in the Summer, where you water the lawn more. My house is about 4500 sq feet, 2 Zone, and it costs me about $200 a month in summer, when I use Air Conditioning, much less in Winter. In Winter we heat by Gas, and that is around $200-$250 a month but very little in the summer.
Electric in Tennessee is lower than many states because of the TVA(Tennessee Valley Authority).
My Garbage is $15 a month because I don't live in Metro Nahville where it would be free but with higher taxes.
Public Schools are free in the United States.

Diane

[lvaughan11]

Thank you, this is helpful. I'm creating a comparison expenses spreadsheet.

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by Diane Giam

My Garbage is $15 a month because I don't live in Metro Nahville where it would be free but with higher taxes.

Which company do you use?

[Diane Giam]

Originally Posted by alleycat

Which company do you use?

I use PDQ

Diane G

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by Diane Giam

I use PDQ

Diane G

Isn't that nice. So do I. They charge me a $1 more per month.

[wellkids]

Originally Posted by lvaughan11

My family is investigating a move from Canada to the Nashville area. We are looking at Rutherford County. To be more specific, we will want a four bedroom, newer built home. Could anyone give me an indication of utility costs for a home this size? I noticed that most homes are heated by Electricity, vs gas. Also, do you pay extra for garbage pickup? It would be helpful if someone could provide a list of bills that one pays for in Nashville as it may be different from Canada.

Also, do you pay a fee for public schools, other than meals?

I thank you for your help!

Here is the link for the rates for Murfreesboro Electric Rates Page How much your bill will be really depends on how many kW you use per month and that can vary widely between families. Some keep their thermostat on 72 and others at 65. This makes a huge difference in heating bills.

Trash pick up is included in your property tax rate if you live within the city limits. If you purchase outside the city, you will need private trash pick up which is about $15 per month.

There are no additional fees for public schools. Once or twice a year they will have fund raiser events but these are always optional.

Here is a link for some helpful information, and frequently asked questions, regarding the city of Murfreesboro: FAQ's

[NODAK1979]

My water is around 30 a month here in LaVergne. Electricity is about 100 a month and I've heard horror stories about gas heat. I do not understand why anybody would want gas heat with the current price of it.

Oh, and I pay 17 for garbage pickup. It's included in Davidson County, but property taxes there are ridiculous.

[Carrera4S]

I thought gas was cheaper. At least it is here in Detroit.