Planning on moving to Austin in the coming months? One of the most stressful aspects of relocating can be transferring and/or establishing utilities for your new home. Between trash pickup to internet service, finding information on local providers can be time-consuming and confusing.
To help you with your upcoming move, we’ve compiled a list of Austin area utility providers across all categories. Learn more about setting up services, how to make payments, fees, and more for each type of utility provider in the city.
Austin Electric Utilities | City of Austin Electric
The City of Austin Utilities (also known as Austin Energy, or “coautilities”) is the area’s provider of electric services. They service all residential and commercial buildings in the city.
City of Austin Utilities Important Contact Info
- City of Austin Utilities: Electric
- Website: https://coautilities.com/wps/wcm/connect/occ/coa/home
- Phone: 512-494-9400
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. CST, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CST
- Address: Rosewood Ave, Austin, TX 78702
Opening an account and getting your Austin electricity turned on
It costs $20 to start electric services with the City of Austin Utilities. On top of this fee to start services, a $200 deposit is required to begin residential service. For those who want to try to avoid paying this sizable deposit, there are ways around the fee.
To qualify to have the $200 deposit waved, at least one of the following conditions must bet met (as taken from the City of Austin Utilities website):
- Kept up on payments with a previous City of Austin Utility account.
- Show letter of reference from another utility company
- Submits Landlord Letter of reference form meeting specific requirements
- Enrolls in both Autopay and eBill paperless billing.
- Is an adult 65+ years or older.
- Is a service member who has returned from deployment.
- Victims of domestic abuse.
- And more.
On top of meeting at least one of these qualifying conditions, there are additional stipulations that must be met (such as having no prior disconnections or outstanding balances).
The average Austin electric bill is $206 per month. Payments can be made online (including autopay), in-person at a City of Austin Utility Service Center, or by mail (with a personal check, cashier’s check, or money order).
Austin Water Utilities | Austin Water
Austin Water is the primary provider of water utilities services in the city. This department is managed by the City of Austin Utilities.
Austin Water Utilities Important Contact Info
- Austin Water
- Website: https://www.austintexas.gov/content/austin-water
- Phone: 512-972-0101
- Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Address: 625 E 10th St, Austin, TX 78701
Opening an account and getting your water turned on
It costs $20 to start your City of Austin water services. Just like the city’s electric service, a $200 deposit is required to begin your water services. Check the above listed conditions for potential ways to have this deposit waved.
The average monthly water bill in Austin is $36.74. Payments can be made online (including autopay), in-person at a City of Austin Utility Service Center, or by mail (with a personal check, cashier’s check, or money order).
Austin Garbage/Recycling | City of Austin Utilities
The City of Austin manages both trash and recycling services. It costs $15 to start solid waste services.
Four trash collection bin sizes are offered. Residents are charged based on the size bin they use. Sizes include 24-gallon ($23.30 per month), 32-gallon ($24.55 per month), 64-gallon ($29.70 per month), or 96-gallon ($50.15 per month).
As with all other City of Austin utilities, payments can be made online (including autopay), in-person at a City of Austin Utility Service Center, or by mail (with a personal check, cashier’s check, or money order).
Austin Gas Utilities | Texas Gas Service
Texas Gas Service handles all natural gas services throughout the City of Austin. They are the only provider of gas services for the city.
Texas Gas Service Important Contact Info
- Texas Gas Service
- Website: https://www.texasgasservice.com/
- Phone: 800-700-2443, Monday – Friday. 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM CST
- Address: 1301 S MoPac Expy #400, Austin, TX 78746
Opening an account and getting your utilities turned on
Services can be stopped and started through your online account, or by contacting a representative with the company. Bills can also be paid online, by mail, or over the phone. The average gas bill in Austin costs $110.58 per month.
Austin Internet | Google Fiber, AT&T, Spectrum
While there are many internet providers available throughout Austin, three of the top providers are Google Fiber, AT&T, and Spectrum. Plans and internet speeds vary significantly depending on your chosen provider. Your overall cost will depend on the provider you select, whether or not you bundle services (such as phone services), and how many add-ons you need (such as a rented router). Internet services can be started by initiating an appointment online through the Google Fiber, AT&T, or Spectrum websites. You can also contact the corporate phone number for each to get linked with the right department.
Once you’ve set up an appointment with your preferred provider, an installation tech will come out to your home to set up services. Costs for equipment and services depend on your chosen plan, and depending on the current promotions being offered by each company. The average monthly cost for internet services in Austin is $66.59 per month.
Austin Telephone | All Major Cell Phone Providers
All major cell phone providers — such as AT&T and Verizon — are available in Austin. Oftentimes, if you only have cell phone services with the company, the easiest way to transfer services is to simply change your mailing address. This ensures that your monthly bill is sent to the correct address (if you do not have paperless billing). You can typically do this through a self-service portal in your online account, or by calling the company directly.
If you are moving from a different area and would like an Austin area code, you will need to contact your current cell phone company for a new phone number. Once you’ve reached out to your cell phone provider, they will inform you about the process of switching to a local area code.
Currently, the average cell phone bill in Austin is $96 per month.
Austin Cable | Spectrum Cable, DIRECTV, Optimum TV, DISH
The most popular cable TV providers in Austin are Spectrum Cable, DIRECTV, Optimum TV, and DISH. As with internet services, each cable provider offers various packages and pricing depending on your needs, and depending on current promotions that are available. Reaching out to each company directly for a quote is the best way to go about finding the best option.
If you already have one of these Austin cable TV providers, you can contact a customer care rep — online or by phone — to assist you with transferring services to your new address.
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