Moving to the Fort Campbell area means budgeting for more than rent or a mortgage. Your monthly housing cost may also include electricity, water, sewer, natural gas, internet, trash collection, and seasonal changes in energy use.
So, what should Fort Campbell families budget for utilities in Clarksville, TN, and Oak Grove, KY?
The most accurate answer is that there is no single reliable monthly average for every household. Utility costs vary by address, provider, home size, insulation, HVAC system, number of occupants, water usage, and the terms of your lease or purchase agreement.
Instead of relying on an unsupported estimate, use the official provider information below to build an address-specific budget before you rent or buy.
Which utilities should Fort Campbell families include in their budget?
Your housing worksheet should account for:
- Electricity
- Water
- Sewer or wastewater
- Natural gas, if the property uses it
- Internet
- Trash and recycling
- Seasonal increases in heating or cooling
- One-time connection fees or deposits
The first step is determining whether the property is inside Clarksville city limits, in unincorporated Montgomery County, inside Oak Grove city limits, in another Kentucky community, or on Fort Campbell.
Provider territories can change from one street to the next. A Clarksville address outside city limits may use a different electric, water, or gas provider than a home within the city.
What do utilities typically include in Clarksville, Tennessee?
Inside Clarksville city limits, several services are commonly provided by municipal utilities.
Electricity
CDE Lightband provides electric service within Clarksville. Its official residential rate schedule lists the following September 2026 charges:
- Residential customer charge: $29.00
- Energy charge: $0.11293 per kilowatt-hour
- Grid access charge: $2.00 for 0–1,000 kWh
- Grid access charge: $4.00 for 1,001–2,000 kWh
- Grid access charge: $7.00 at 2,000 kWh
Your total electric bill depends on how many kilowatt-hours your household uses. A larger home with electric heating, older appliances, poor insulation, or extensive summer air-conditioning use may consume substantially more electricity than a smaller, efficient home.
Review the CDE Lightband residential rates and fees before estimating your monthly payment.
Water and sewer
Clarksville Gas & Water provides water and wastewater service in its service area. Bills may include fixed customer or meter charges along with usage-based charges.
Water and sewer expenses are affected by:
- Household size
- Monthly gallons used
- Irrigation systems
- Leaking toilets or faucets
- Pool filling or maintenance
- Lawn and garden watering
- Whether the property is inside or outside city limits
- Meter size and account classification
Review the City of Clarksville’s official water and sewer rates and ask the utility or property manager for the current charges associated with the exact address.
Natural gas
Some Clarksville homes use natural gas for heating, water heating, cooking, or fireplaces. Clarksville Gas & Water publishes gas charges that may include a fixed meter charge, a usage charge, and a commodity charge.
The commodity component can change based on the wholesale cost of gas. That means a winter gas bill may not be predictable from the fixed monthly charge alone.
If the home is outside the city’s gas service area, another provider may serve the property. Confirm whether the home uses natural gas, propane, or electric equipment before preparing your budget.
Internet
CDE Lightband offers fiber internet in parts of Clarksville. Other providers may also serve the area, but availability and pricing are address-specific.
Before signing a lease or purchasing a home, check:
- Which providers service the address
- Whether fiber, cable, fixed wireless, or another connection is available
- Installation charges
- Equipment rental
- Contract requirements
- Upload speeds if you work remotely
- Service availability during a PCS transition
Do not assume that two homes in the same neighborhood have identical internet options.
Trash service
Clarksville and Montgomery County do not use one universal city-operated curbside trash program for every residence. Many households arrange service through a private hauler, while county solid-waste facilities provide disposal and convenience-center services.
Ask the landlord, seller, HOA, or property manager:
- Whether curbside trash service is included
- Which company provides pickup
- Whether the resident must open an account
- Whether recycling is included
- Whether the HOA has separate rules or fees
What utilities should Oak Grove, Kentucky, families budget for?
Oak Grove uses a different utility structure from Clarksville.
Electricity
Oak Grove homes may be served by Pennyrile Electric or another provider depending on the exact property. Confirm the electric company before relying on a rate estimate.
The provider’s bill may include a fixed charge, energy usage, taxes, and other approved charges. Your household’s consumption will be influenced by the home’s size, heating system, air-conditioning use, and appliance efficiency.
Do not assume an Oak Grove address has the same electric provider or rates as a nearby Fort Campbell property.
Water and sewer
The City of Oak Grove provides water service within its service area. The city’s published water information identifies a residential monthly customer charge and a usage charge, but rates and ordinances can change. Review the current Oak Grove water utility information before moving in.
Wastewater service is associated with the Oak Grove wastewater system and Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority. The HWEA rate card available through its official website lists:
- Residential minimum bill for 1,000 gallons or less: $26.20
- Usage above 1,000 gallons: $7.65 per 1,000 gallons
- A possible monthly surcharge for certain county customers
Because that rate card is dated, confirm current charges directly with the utility before using the figures in a final budget. You can review the official HWEA Oak Grove wastewater rate card.
Natural gas
Natural gas availability varies by address in Oak Grove. Some properties may use a private gas provider, while others may use electric or propane systems.
Ask for the property’s previous utility information if available, and identify:
- The fuel used for heating
- Whether the water heater is gas or electric
- Whether the home has a gas fireplace or range
- The current provider
- Any required deposit or connection fee
Internet
Check availability directly with each internet provider using the property’s full address. Rural or newer areas may have different service options than established neighborhoods near Fort Campbell.
If reliable internet is important for remote work, telehealth, school, or communication during deployment, verify the service before signing a lease or making an offer.
Trash service
Within Oak Grove city limits, Impact Waste Service is identified as the current residential trash provider. The city states that water, sewer, and trash service can be arranged together for eligible residences.
The city also publishes separate bulky-waste charges, including:
- Tires: $35 per tire
- Appliances: $9 per item
- Mattresses: $9 per item
- Furniture: $9 per item
Regular residential trash charges should be confirmed with the Oak Grove Utilities Office or Impact Waste Service because publicly available information may not show the current monthly household charge.
How much can seasonal changes affect utility costs?
Seasonal variation is one of the most important issues for Fort Campbell families.
Summer air-conditioning use can increase electric consumption, particularly during extended hot weather. Winter costs may rise because of electric heat, heat-pump auxiliary heat, natural gas usage, or inefficient insulation.
The Tennessee Valley Authority recommends energy-saving practices such as:
- Setting summer cooling near 78 degrees when comfortable
- Setting winter heating near 68 degrees
- Raising or lowering the thermostat when you are away
- Replacing HVAC filters regularly
- Sealing drafts around doors and windows
- Using blinds and curtains to manage sunlight
- Keeping outdoor HVAC equipment clear
- Running some appliances during off-peak periods when practical
You can review TVA’s energy-saving guidance for additional recommendations.
When comparing a rental or purchase, request utility bills from both winter and summer if they are available. One mild month does not provide enough information to understand the property’s full annual pattern.
Who pays utilities in a rental?
The lease controls the responsibility for utility payments. Do not rely on a listing description or verbal statement alone.
Before signing, confirm in writing:
- Which utilities you must open and pay
- Whether water or trash is included in rent
- Whether the owner pays sewer charges
- Whether the property has an HOA utility arrangement
- Whether lawn care or irrigation affects your bill
- Whether there are utility billing administration fees
- When utilities must be transferred into your name
The true property owner or authorized management agent should be identified in the lease documentation. If you are renting off post, review Haus’s guide to Fort Campbell off-post housing before signing a lease.
What should buyers ask before purchasing?
If you are buying, ask the seller for available utility history and determine which systems serve the home.
During your inspection and due diligence, verify:
- The age and condition of the HVAC system
- Whether the home uses gas, electric, or propane
- Water-heater type and age
- Insulation and window condition
- Evidence of plumbing leaks
- Irrigation or pool equipment
- Solar panels or other energy systems
- Utility provider and account-transfer requirements
Your lender can help you calculate the mortgage payment, taxes, and insurance. Your Haus real estate professional can help you compare property-specific housing costs, but utility companies provide the most reliable information about rates and service requirements.
For more purchase guidance, review the Haus first-time homebuyer guide for Clarksville.
A practical utility budgeting method
Before choosing a home, create three utility scenarios:
- Low-use month: Mild weather, modest water use, and limited HVAC operation.
- Typical-use month: Normal household activity and seasonal heating or cooling.
- High-use month: Extreme summer or winter weather, guests, irrigation, or other increased demand.
Then add possible one-time expenses:
- Utility deposits
- Connection fees
- Internet installation
- Required equipment
- Trash container fees
- Moving-related service transfers
This approach gives you a more realistic budget than relying on a generic regional average.
Fort Campbell utilities FAQ
Are utilities cheaper in Clarksville or Oak Grove?
Not necessarily. The answer depends on the provider, property, household usage, fuel type, taxes, and lease terms. Compare the exact address rather than assuming one city is always less expensive.
Should renters ask for previous utility bills?
Yes. Ask the owner or property manager for representative summer and winter bills when available. The bills are not a guarantee, but they can help you understand the home’s past usage.
Does BAH cover utilities?
Basic Allowance for Housing is intended to help with housing costs, but it does not guarantee that your rent and utilities will fit within the allowance. Build a separate utility estimate into your PCS budget.
Are utilities included in rent?
Sometimes, but not always. Read the lease carefully and confirm every included service in writing.
Can Haus help me compare utility costs?
Yes. Haus can help you compare housing options in Clarksville, Oak Grove, and nearby Fort Campbell communities while you confirm official rates and account requirements with each utility provider.
Plan your Fort Campbell move with confidence
Utility budgeting is part of making a sound rental or purchase decision. Before you commit, identify the property’s actual providers, review official rate information, request available billing history, and confirm responsibility for each service in the lease or purchase documents.
Whether you are renting near Fort Campbell or preparing to buy, contact Haus for experienced guidance comparing Clarksville and Oak Grove housing options.
