Utilities in Brookline (Boston: apartments, how much, buy)

[yaeger07]

I'm figuring out what I can afford in Brookline, and I'm wondering what to expect for utilities. I currently live in Memphis where we pay for everything except for water, we have laundry in our apartment, and we run the A/C on high most of the year, so it's hard to compare. Most of the apartments I see cover heat and hot water. So what can I expect to spend on electricity and gas in a 1 bedroom?

Also, how much is internet without cable (I know I can look this up fairly easily, but if you know and are responding to the previous question anyway...)?

Thanks.

[Bob Lanata]

You will not be running the A/C most of the year, as we have a much shorter season for that, however, you will pay in heat if it is not included. I know Brookline well, but do not know the pricing of the power suppliers. Depending on the heat source, (Oil, Gas, elec etc) that comes with a cost if it is not included in rent. Nice place to live, good choice and welcome to the area.

I grew up in Boston and have learned alot about my own city and the surrounding area from this City Data Forum. Neat thing

[snatale1]

Like Bob said, AC season isn't that long, Typically a summers electric bill for me was around $170-$200/month. I'd assume you'll be on Window AC Units. Don't make the mistake everybody makes and buy an undersized one, buy the correct one for your sq footage and an energy efficient one, and leave on energy saver once you get the temp you want. I've got friends that have little 5,000BTU units in all rooms and pay $300+ in elec a month. Gas is cheap, if it's only being used for your stove you should pay around $20-$25 a month. As you've figured out old buildings usually cover the heat/hot water due to the way they were originally plumbed. Newer buildings you will pay for everything including water. Some older bldgs get sub metered but most don't.

[yaeger07]

How big was your place when you were spending that? That's about what we pay in the summer for all utilities in Memphis in our 2 bedroom, so it seems high to me. But I know window units suck energy. It looks like internet is $40-$50/month.

[Bob Lanata]

Yeager07, FYI, most cable companies offer a 99 dollar per month deal for cable, phone and internet if that is something you are interested in. Thought I would mention that as well. Your question on heating has way too many variables to give an estimate. Such as how insulated your place is and what kind of windows etc.

[yaeger07]

Sorry I guess I wasn't clear. I want to know what to expect from my utility bill if I'm NOT paying for heat and hot water. So gas (if I have a gas stove, which I hear is about $10/month) and electricity to run lights and a/c.

[kingeorge]

Think that everything here will be more expensive.
Price difference in Boston, MA vs. Memphis TN

• Groceries 30%more
• Housing 121%more
• Utilities 67%more
• Transportation 14%more
• Health Care 22%more

per CNN costs of living calculator;

Gas: $25-$45 ; electricity in winter $65-$85; summer $95-$175; this would be my estimate for a single guy/couple who does cook every day plus use of electricity and AC in summer.