Staring at a great Streeterville apartment and wondering what the utilities will run you each month? You’re not alone. Between heat, electric, internet, and parking, the add-ons can swing your budget more than you expect. In this guide, you’ll learn typical Streeterville utility ranges, key cost drivers, and exactly what to ask before you sign so you can budget with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Who provides utilities in Streeterville
Electricity
Most Chicago renters receive electric service from ComEd. You’ll see delivery charges from ComEd and may have a separate supplier for generation.
Natural gas
If your building or unit uses natural gas, service is provided by Peoples Gas.
Water and sewer
The City of Chicago manages water and sewer through the Department of Water Management. Many downtown high-rises are master-metered, and water is often included in rent.
Internet and TV
Streeterville buildings commonly offer service from Xfinity, AT&T, and Astound/RCN. Availability and promotions vary by building.
Trash and recycling
Most buildings include trash in rent. Some pass it through as a small monthly fee.
Parking
Parking is typically garage or valet rather than street permit parking. Monthly rates vary widely and are often handled by third-party garages. Check nearby rates on SpotHero or ParkWhiz.
Typical monthly cost ranges
Electricity
- Studios/1BR without electric heat: about $40–120 in mild months.
- Summer with A/C: about $60–180 depending on usage and window efficiency.
- All-electric heat or baseboard heat in winter: $150–400+. Electric heat is the biggest swing factor.
Natural gas
- Gas for cooking/hot water only: $10–40.
- If you pay for gas heat in-unit: $40–200 in winter. Many high-rises have central heat included, so confirm your setup.
Water and sewer
- If billed to you directly: $20–60 for one occupant. Many buildings include water or charge a flat fee.
Trash
- Often included. If billed, expect $5–30.
Internet
- Entry/basic plans: $30–50.
- Mid-tier 100–300 Mbps: $40–70.
- 500–1,000 Mbps for heavier use: $60–100+. Many 1–2 person households choose 300–500 Mbps.
Parking
- Streeterville garages typically run $250–600+ per month. Premium valet or private indoor spaces can reach $500–900 in rare cases.
EV charging
- Building charging can be billed per-kWh, per session, or flat monthly. Frequent charging often adds $20–100 per month.
What drives your costs
Heating source
Your heating setup has the biggest impact on winter bills.
- Central steam or hot-water heat provided by the building often means no direct tenant heat cost.
- Building gas boilers are often included in rent.
- In-unit gas furnaces shift winter gas costs to you.
- All-electric heat can push winter electricity bills into the several-hundred-dollar range.
Metering and billing
- Individual meters or submeters mean you pay for what you use.
- Master-metered buildings may allocate costs to each unit or charge a flat fee.
- Third-party billing services sometimes add administrative fees. Ask what they are.
Building age and envelope
- Newer towers often have better insulation and efficient HVAC, which can reduce heating and cooling costs per square foot.
- Older buildings or single-pane windows can increase both heating and A/C usage.
Size and occupancy
More square footage and more occupants usually mean higher electricity and water usage.
Seasonality
Expect winter spikes for heat and summer spikes for A/C, especially with electric heat or floor-to-ceiling glass.
How to read your lease and disclosures
Questions to ask before you sign
- Which utilities are included in rent? Is heat included, and for which months?
- Which utilities do I pay directly to ComEd, Peoples Gas, or the City?
- Are utilities individually metered, submetered, or allocated from a master meter?
- Are there administrative or third-party billing fees? How much are they?
- What internet providers serve the building and are there install or equipment fees?
- Is parking required or optional? What are typical monthly rates?
Documents to request
- Sample historical utility bills for the unit, covering both winter and summer.
- Any building energy disclosures or benchmarking reports.
- Submetering agreement and rates if applicable.
Fees to watch
- Allocation or billing service fees on top of usage.
- Flat utility fees and whether they can increase during your lease.
- Modem rental, installation, or early termination fees for internet.
Streeterville budgeting examples
These examples use common Streeterville ranges. Your actual bills will vary based on building systems, usage, and season.
Studio, non-electric heat, single occupant, moderate A/C
- Electricity: $50–90
- Gas: $10–30 (if only for stove/hot water) or $0 if none
- Water/sewer: $20–40 if billed
- Internet: $45–60 (mid-tier)
- Trash: included or $0–10
- Total, no parking: $125–230/month
1BR in an all-electric building, winter
- Electricity with electric heat: $200–350+
- Internet: $45–70
- Water/sewer: $20–40 (or included)
- Total, no parking: $265–460+/month
- Note: Summer can drop to $80–200 depending on A/C.
1BR luxury high-rise, heat included, you pay electric and internet, with parking
- Electricity: $40–120
- Internet: $60
- Parking: $300–500
- Total: $400–680+/month
2BR, two occupants working from home, high-speed internet
- Electricity: $100–220
- Gas: $20–60 (if applicable)
- Internet 500+ Mbps: $80–120
- Total, no parking: $200–400+/month
Tips to avoid surprises
- Verify the heating source and whether heat is included. Get the service months in writing.
- Ask for sample winter and summer bills for your specific unit.
- Prefer individually metered or submetered setups for transparency.
- Compare on-site parking with nearby garages. Treat parking as a separate line item.
- Confirm internet provider options before move-in to avoid last-minute install fees.
- Plan for higher winter electricity if the building has electric heat.
- Use simple efficiency wins: LED bulbs, smart thermostats, and power strips.
Need help comparing buildings?
If you want real numbers for your shortlist, we can request sample bills, confirm heating systems, and estimate realistic monthly add-ons before you apply. Get a curated list of Streeterville options and tour them fast with the concierge rental team at The Michael Scavo Group.
FAQs
What utilities do Streeterville renters usually pay?
- Most renters pay for electricity directly to ComEd. Heat and water may be included in some high-rises, but always confirm in the lease.
How much does parking add per month in Streeterville?
- Garage parking commonly runs $250–600+ per month. Check nearby rates on SpotHero or ParkWhiz.
How big can winter electric bills get with electric heat?
- In all-electric units with resistance or baseboard heat, winter electricity can reach $150–400+ per month depending on usage and building efficiency.
Is water usually included in Streeterville apartments?
- Many downtown buildings are master-metered for water, and it is often included in rent or billed as a small flat fee. Verify the billing method in your lease.
Which internet providers serve Streeterville apartments?
How can I verify utility costs before signing a lease?
- Ask for sample bills for summer and winter, confirm the heating source, and clarify whether utilities are metered, submetered, or allocated. Request any billing service or admin fees in writing.
