Portsmouth residents are paying some of the UK’s highest utility bills

Even as wholesale energy prices have stabilised compared with the peak of the cost-of-living crisis, many families say their monthly bills remain stubbornly high, leaving little room for savings or unexpected expenses.

Energy experts point to several reasons why bills are still biting. Standing charges remain elevated, infrastructure costs are being passed on to consumers, and regional differences in housing stock mean some areas rely more heavily on inefficient heating systems. Add rising water charges, broadband costs and council-linked waste services, and utilities have quietly become one of the largest fixed expenses for households across the country.

For renters and homeowners alike, this pressure is being felt most sharply in cities where older properties, poor insulation and higher service costs collide. A new study highlights just how wide the gap has become between the most and least expensive places to cover essential household bills.

Researchers at cartridgesave.co.uk analysed average costs for electricity, heating, water, waste disposal and internet services across major UK cities to identify where residents are paying the most and the results may surprise some households.

Portsmouth emerges as the third most expensive city in the UK for utility bills. Residents there are paying an average of £370.21 per month for essential services, adding up to around £4,442 a year. Analysts suggest that dense housing, higher energy usage, and service charges may be contributing to the city’s elevated costs.

Following Portsmouth, Chester and Sheffield round out the top five, with residents in these cities facing monthly bills of around £350–£349. At the other end of the scale, Chelmsford is the most affordable city for utilities, with average monthly costs of just £142.65.

By utilising Numbeo's price database, the study collected relevant information on the costs of electricity, heating, water, garbage disposal, and internet services in the largest cities in the UK. Once the data was gathered, the study totalled the prices for each city to identify those with the highest utility expenses.

List of the UK cities with the highest utility bill costs: