Starting your new chapter in Cave Creek, Arizona, involves not only finding your perfect home but also getting familiar with the costs associated with the utilities in the area. Here's a look at some of the expenses you can expect based on my personal experience as a resident and some statistics I was able to uncover.
Electricity
The size of the home you buy will significantly impact what you pay for electricity. It will come as no surprise that cooling our homes in the summer is the biggest user of electricity and it can add up quickly. According to Energy Sage, the average electric bill for people living in Cave Creek is $280 per month. That’s 57% higher than the national average. Of course, there are some solutions to help reduce this monthly cost such as solar energy and using electricity during off-peak hours when rates are lower.
Water and Sewer
Water is provided by The Town of Cave Creek and, surprisingly, the average monthly bill for water and sewer in Arizona is only about $80, according to the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, and most Arizona households use about 120 gallons of water per day. Efforts should always be made to reduce daily water usage, which saves you money and protects one of our most valuable resources.
Many homes in Cave Creek are also on a private septic system. These require cleaning and inspection every few years which can cost between $1,000-$2,000. The good news for the buyer of a new home? Septic inspections are required and typically paid for by the seller before closing.
Natural Gas & Propane
Some homes utilize natural gas and/or propane for appliances, heating, fireplaces, and more. Depending on the service you are connected with, you can expect to pay an average of $40 per month, based on national averages. There are a few different providers for this service in Cave Creek such as Southwest Gas and Arizona Propane.
Internet and Cable
Believe it or not, many homes in Cave Creek do not have high-speed internet and rely on point-to-point solutions like Desert iNet. Don’t worry, it’s still really fast (this is what my home runs on!). In the U.S. the national average internet bill is $60 per month, according to the FCC. Based on my experience, you can expect to spend between $60 and $200 for internet and cable in Cave Creek depending on the package you choose.
Trash and Recycling
There is currently no municipal residential trash service in Cave Creek so you will need to haul your own or contract with one of the major providers in the area such as Waste Management or Republic Services. Standard weekly residential trash services cost about $60 per month however this can vary greatly depending on the number and type of trash container you choose.
As you start your home search, remember that every property will have widely-ranging utility bills and factors such as home size, age, and behavior can make big differences. Know you can always reach out to individual service providers to get a more accurate idea of costs for your home. Or, better yet, ask your real estate agent to get utility bills from the current owners!
