Utility Costs in The Villages, FL: What to Budget

Utilities in The Villages are generally reasonable — with one major caveat: Florida summers are hot, and air conditioning bills can climb quickly between June and September. Here's a clear-eyed look at what to expect for each utility category.

Electric

Electric is the utility that surprises most newcomers, and it's almost always because of summer air conditioning.

Central Florida sits at about the same latitude as Los Angeles, but it's far more humid. From June through September, afternoon temperatures regularly hit 90F with high humidity. Air conditioning doesn't just run — it runs hard, all day and often all night.

Typical electric costs:

• October–May (mild weather): $80–$150/month
• June–September (summer): $180–$300/month for most homes

Larger homes and those with older HVAC systems will be at the higher end of these ranges. Homes with newer, high-efficiency units will cost less.

Duke Energy is the primary electric provider for most of The Villages. They offer budget billing options that average costs across the year if you prefer predictability.

Tips for Controlling Electric Costs

• Set the thermostat to 78F when home, 82F when away
• Use ceiling fans to make 78F feel more comfortable
• Close blinds and curtains on the west and south sides during afternoon hours
• Check with your landlord that the HVAC filter is clean before summer

Water and Sewer

Water costs are modest. The Villages is served by its own utility infrastructure, and rates are reasonable.

• Typical monthly water/sewer bill: $40–$75/month for a household of two

Irrigation for lawn and landscaping can add to this, but most rental properties have the owner responsible for landscaping, which typically means a separate irrigation account or the owner covering that portion.

Internet

High-speed internet is well available throughout The Villages. Several providers compete for customers, which keeps pricing reasonable.

Options and typical pricing:

• Xfinity (Comcast): $60–$90/month for standard residential service; bundle deals available
• CenturyLink/Lumen: Available in some areas at similar pricing
• Spectrum: Available in portions of the community

Most homes can get 200–500 Mbps download speeds, which is more than enough for streaming, video calls, and remote work. Fiber is expanding but not universally available.

If you work remotely, confirm internet speeds and provider availability for your specific address before signing a lease.

Cable Television

Traditional cable TV is declining in The Villages as it is everywhere — streaming services have largely taken over. That said, options exist if you want live television.

• Cable/satellite bundle: $80–$120/month
• Streaming alternative: Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube TV, etc. — $15–$80/month depending on what you subscribe to

Many rental homes come with a smart TV; some landlords include cable or a streaming device. Ask what's included.

Phone

Most residents use cell phones as their primary or only phone. Cell service is generally good throughout The Villages on all major carriers.

• Cell phone plan: $40–$80/month per person depending on carrier and plan

A landline is rarely necessary, but some residents prefer one for reliability or medical alert systems.

Trash and Recycling

Trash and recycling service is typically included in the property's utilities and paid by the homeowner, or sometimes rolled into your overall utility bill. Confirm with your landlord whether this is a separate cost.

• Typical cost if separate: $20–$35/month

Are Utilities Included in The Villages Rentals?

It varies by lease type:

• Short-term seasonal rentals (less than 3 months): Often include electric, water, and internet in the quoted rental price
• Annual leases: Typically have the tenant pay utilities directly to the provider

Always clarify what's included before signing. If utilities are "included" in a seasonal rental, ask whether there's a cap — some leases include utilities up to a certain monthly amount, with the tenant responsible for overages.

Annual Utility Budget Estimate

For a couple on an annual lease in a 2-bedroom home:

Utility	Monthly Average
Electric (annual avg)	$150
Water/sewer	$55
Internet	$75
Streaming services	$40
Cell phones (2)	$120
Total	~$440/month

Summer months will run $200–$300 higher than this average due to electric costs.