What Utilities Are Included in ASU Off-Campus Apartments? (And What You’ll Pay Out of Pocket)

Most ASU off-campus apartments in Tempe include water, sewer, and trash removal in the base rent, while electricity, internet, and renter’s insurance consistently fall on tenants as separate monthly expenses. Newer student-focused complexes near Arizona State University sometimes bundle additional utilities to attract tenants, while older Tempe buildings and private landlords rarely include electricity given Arizona’s high summer cooling costs. Total out-of-pocket utility expenses for ASU students typically run $80 to $180 monthly depending on unit size, roommate count, and season. Budgeting accurately requires knowing your specific building’s policy before signing.

TL;DR: Quick Answer

• Water, sewer, and trash are included in most Tempe apartment rents, but electricity almost never is.
• ASU students typically pay $80 to $180 monthly in additional utilities, with electricity averaging $60 to $120 during hot Arizona summers.
• Internet service in Tempe runs $45 to $80 monthly unless your complex bundles it as an amenity.
• Newer student complexes near ASU sometimes include electricity caps, where the landlord covers usage up to a monthly limit.
• Always ask for the previous 12 months’ average utility bills before signing any Tempe lease.

Tempe Apartments Near ASU Commonly Include Water, Sewer, and Trash

These three utilities appear in most Tempe apartment leases as landlord-covered expenses. Water and sewer costs in Tempe are predictable. Trash pickup follows city schedules. Landlords include them because the costs are stable and easy to manage.

Confirm this in writing before signing. Ask to see it stated explicitly in the lease. Some landlords list water as included in marketing materials but bill it separately as a monthly charge added to rent.

Trash removal in most Tempe complexes runs on the building’s single account. ASU students in shared apartments rarely see individual trash charges. This is one utility you almost certainly will not pay separately.

Electricity Costs ASU Students the Most in Arizona’s Heat

Electricity is rarely included. Arizona summers are expensive. Very expensive.

Tempe apartment electricity bills peak from June through September when cooling costs dominate. A one-bedroom apartment in Tempe averages $90 to $130 monthly in summer months. A two-bedroom shared between two ASU students averages $120 to $160. Three-bedroom units run $150 to $200 or more during peak heat.

Winter months are significantly cheaper. November through February electricity bills drop to $40 to $70 for most unit sizes. Annual averages smooth out, but summer bills shock students used to milder climates.

APS and SRP serve different parts of Tempe. Your building’s utility provider is predetermined. You cannot choose. Ask which company services your building before signing and review their rate structures.

Some ASU-Area Complexes Offer Electricity Caps to Limit Student Risk

Electricity cap arrangements are common in student-focused Tempe complexes. The landlord covers electricity up to a set monthly amount, typically $50 to $75 per person. Usage above the cap bills to tenants.

These arrangements benefit moderate electricity users. They protect tenants from catastrophic summer bills. They also incentivize conservation because overages come directly out of tenant pockets.

Ask about caps during apartment tours. Request the cap amount in writing. Ask what percentage of tenants exceeded the cap last summer. This data tells you more than the advertised cap amount alone.

Internet Service Is an Additional Monthly Expense in Most Tempe Buildings

Internet is not included in most Tempe apartments near ASU. Standard internet plans in Tempe run $45 to $80 monthly through Cox Communications, which dominates the Tempe market.

Some newer student complexes include internet in the amenity package. This bundled internet is typically adequate for streaming and general use. Serious gamers or remote workers sometimes pay for a separate higher-speed connection regardless.

Check coverage maps before signing. Cox service quality varies by neighborhood in Tempe. Buildings on the western edge of campus sometimes have different infrastructure than those near Mill Avenue or the Hayden Ferry area.

Splitting internet among roommates reduces costs significantly. Four ASU students sharing a two-bedroom apartment split a $60 monthly bill at $15 each. The savings add up fast over a full academic year.

Gas Charges Depend on Your Building’s Heating and Appliance Setup

Gas service applies only to apartments with gas appliances. Many Tempe apartments are all-electric. Gas stoves and gas water heaters appear more in older buildings constructed before 2000.

Where gas applies, Southwest Gas serves the Tempe area. Monthly charges average $20 to $40 during winter. Summer gas bills drop to $10 to $15 or less. Gas costs are lower overall compared to electricity.

Ask your prospective landlord whether the building uses gas appliances before signing. All-electric apartments simplify billing. One utility account instead of two.

Renter’s Insurance Is Required by Most Tempe Landlords

Renter’s insurance is not a utility, but most ASU students pay for it monthly and treat it like one. Most Tempe apartment leases require it. Coverage starts at $10 to $20 monthly for basic policies protecting personal property and liability.

Skip the search and use your parents’ homeowner’s policy if possible. Many policies cover college students living away from home up to a certain distance. Call and confirm before assuming.

If you need your own policy, Lemonade, State Farm, and USAA offer student-friendly rates in Arizona. Basic coverage costs less than a dinner out. It protects thousands of dollars in electronics, clothing, and furniture.

Budgeting for Utilities: What ASU Students Should Set Aside Monthly

A realistic monthly utility budget for ASU students in Tempe looks like this, based on a two-bedroom apartment shared between two students:

Electricity averages $60 to $100 per person annually, though summer months spike higher. Internet splits to $20 to $40 per person depending on plan and number of roommates. Renter’s insurance runs $10 to $20 per person. Gas, where applicable, adds $10 to $20 per person.

Total out-of-pocket utility expenses: $100 to $180 monthly per person is a reasonable planning figure for most Tempe apartments near ASU.

Always request the previous year’s utility statements from the landlord before signing. Responsible landlords provide these readily. Reluctant landlords are a warning sign.

Find My Place listings for ASU off-campus housing include utility information where available, helping students compare total monthly costs rather than rent alone. Comparing true all-in costs prevents budget surprises after move-in.