If you live in Orlando and think your utility bills seem expensive, you're right, according to a new report that puts Orlando at No. 2 in the entire country when it comes to how much we pay for utilities.
The report from the WhiteFence Index looked at the average utility prices in October 2013. The average in Orlando, combining electricity, gas, cable or satellite TV, high-speed Internet and phone costs, was $292.13. That's almost $50 higher than the national average of $246.26, and the second-highest in the nation behind only Houston, where the average was $297.33.
Orlando's average cost in October was down from nearly $314 in September 2013. Utility costs peaked last year in July, costing just under $328. Floridians are no strangers to higher utility bills during the hot summer months as we crank up our air conditioners to keep it cool in our homes and businesses.
And if you think that's expensive, Houston's peak during the summer came in August, at more than $394 for the month.
October's averages were the most recent collected by the WhiteFence Index. In a few months, when the group collects numbers from the winter, Orlando may also drop a few places on the list.
Top 20 U.S. cities with the highest utility costs
October 2013, Source: The WhiteFence Index
- Houston ($297.33)
- Orlando ($292.13)
- New York City ($288.76)
- Dallas ($277.26)
- San Francisco ($268.43)
- Las Vegas ($267.18)
- Washington, D.C. ($258.21)
- Phoenix ($256.20)
- Boston ($255.86)
- Charlotte, N.C. ($253.87)
- Los Angeles ($235.84)
- Portland, Ore. ($235.39)
- Indianapolis ($231.53)
- Philadelphia ($229.18)
- Chicago ($222.55)
- Seattle ($220.85)
- Denver ($212.20)
- San Diego ($210)
- Atlanta ($207.65)
- Minneapolis ($204.75)