Most renters moving to Cedar Park start their utility search the same way: Googling “Cedar Park electricity providers” and expecting a list of plans to compare. That’s how it works in Houston. That’s how it works in Dallas. It’s not how it works here.
Cedar Park is served by Pedernales Electric Cooperative, a member-owned co-op with a fixed rate. You don’t get to shop. That surprises nearly every client we work with who’s relocating from a deregulated market.
We walk new clients through utility setup as part of every placement, and the electricity question is always the first one because most renters are often concerned about the cost of living. But it’s rarely the last. Which gas provider serves your address? Will you set up water through the city, or does your community handle it through a third-party billing system? Is Google Fiber available at your specific building yet? Can you get AT&T Fiber, or is Spectrum your only option?
This guide covers every service you need to turn on when moving into a Cedar Park area apartment. Actual provider names, current costs, setup steps, and the things your leasing office probably won’t mention until you ask. We put it together because no single page online assembles all of this for apartment renters in one place.
Electricity in Cedar Park: PEC and Why You Can’t Shop for a Provider
If you’re coming from Houston, Dallas, or anywhere along the I-35 corridor, you’re used to shopping for an electricity plan on Power to Choose. Pick a rate, lock in a term, switch providers if something better comes along. Cedar Park doesn’t work that way.
Pedernales Electric Cooperative serves Cedar Park. PEC is a member-owned cooperative, not a retail electricity provider competing in a deregulated market. When you move here, you become a PEC member. There’s one rate. No plan comparisons. No promotional pricing that expires after six months and resets to something higher. For renters who just want the lights on without researching energy plans, it actually simplifies things.
PEC’s current residential rate averages roughly 12-13¢ per kilowatt hour after a rate adjustment in March 2026 that added about $5/month to the typical bill. Unlike deregulated markets, this rate doesn’t change based on your contract or which plan you chose. There’s only one rate, and PEC adjusts it periodically based on wholesale power costs. The average PEC residential bill runs about $155-160/month across all account types, but that blends houses and apartments together. For apartment renters, expect something closer to these ranges:
| Unit Size | Average Monthly Electric Bill | Summer Peak (Jun-Sep) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $75–$125 | $110–$175 |
| 2 Bedroom | $100–$160 | $140–$225 |
| 3 Bedroom | $125–$200 | $180–$275 |
Those summer numbers aren’t a typo. Cooling costs in Central Texas can double or triple your electric bill from June through September. A 2BR running $95 in March might hit $200 in August. PEC offers a budget billing option that averages your annual usage into equal monthly payments, which helps if you’d rather avoid the seasonal swings.
Once your account is active, download PEC’s SmartHub app. You can track daily electricity usage, set up autopay, and catch a consumption spike before it turns into a $200 surprise on your next statement. During summer especially, watching daily usage helps you adjust the thermostat before the billing cycle closes.
Setting Up PEC Service
Apply online at mypec.com or call 888-554-4732 (Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM). You’ll need a government-issued ID, your Social Security number, and the service address. Two upfront fees apply: a $50 refundable membership fee and a $50 non-refundable establishment fee. Both get billed on your first statement, not collected at signup.
A heads-up about that first statement: it will stack the membership fee, the establishment fee, any security deposit, and your first month of electricity into a single bill. Depending on timing, that can land in the $250–400 range. Budget for it alongside your security deposit and first month’s rent so it doesn’t blindside you during an already expensive month.
PEC may also require a refundable security deposit based on a soft credit assessment that won’t affect your score. You can avoid the deposit by enrolling in automatic bank draft within your first 30 days or by providing a letter of credit from your previous utility company.
Plan ahead on timing. PEC connects service within about three business days under normal circumstances. Same-day connections cost $125 during business hours and $175 after hours. If you know your move-in date, schedule at least a week out and save yourself the rush fee.
One thing worth knowing: a handful of Cedar Park area communities include electricity in rent. Bridge at Arella Lakeline, Cedar Park Townhomes, Lakeline Station, 95twenty, Sycamore Springs, Whitestone Crossing, and Crystal Falls Crossing are all-bills-paid properties where you skip PEC setup entirely. If you’re moving into one of those, this section doesn’t apply to you.
Not sure how your community handles electricity billing? Give us a call at 512-520-0311 and we’ll check for you.
Water, Sewer, and Trash: What Apartment Renters Actually Pay
This is where utility setup in Cedar Park gets confusing for apartment renters, because most of you won’t set up water service at all.
The City of Cedar Park provides water and sewer. Republic Services handles trash collection, billed through the city at $21.42/month on the water bill. The city’s residential water rate starts at $19.90 for the first 2,000 gallons, plus $4.01 per 1,000 gallons above that. Wastewater carries a $23.00 base rate. For a typical apartment resident with moderate usage, combined water and sewer falls in the $45–75/month range.
But here’s what most utility guides leave out: somewhere between 60% and 80% of larger apartment communities in Cedar Park don’t put your name on a city water account at all. They use a system called RUBS (Ratio Utility Billing System) or submetering. The community holds the master meter with the city and allocates costs to individual units through a third-party billing company.
Conservice, NWP, and SimpleBills are the ones we see most often in this market. Your water charge shows up as a line item on your rent statement or as a separate bill from the billing company, not from the City of Cedar Park.
What this means for your move-in: call your leasing office and ask how water billing works at your community before you do anything else. If they use RUBS or submetering, there’s nothing for you to set up. The community handles it.
If your leasing office tells you to open a direct city account, the process is simple:
- Apply at cedarparktexas.gov or call 512-401-5300
- Bring a government-issued photo ID
- A $100 minimum deposit gets assessed on your first bill (not collected upfront)
- The deposit can be waived if you provide a letter of credit from a previous utility within 30 days
Trash pickup through Republic Services is automatic for residents within city limits. You don’t call Republic Services separately. Either the city coordinates it when your water account is established, or your community includes it in your RUBS allocation.
One cost detail to keep in mind: the city’s online portal accepts credit cards (Discover, Mastercard, and Visa), but auto-draft from a bank account avoids extra steps and keeps you from forgetting a payment.
Internet Providers: Why Your Address Matters More Than You Think
Nearly a third of Cedar Park residents work from home. For that group, internet isn’t just another utility to check off the list. It’s work infrastructure. Choosing an apartment without checking internet availability at the specific address is like signing a lease without confirming parking. You won’t realize the problem until it’s too late to fix cheaply.
Three providers cover most of Cedar Park, but coverage varies by address more than you’d expect in a city this size.
Spectrum has the widest footprint, reaching roughly 96% of Cedar Park. Plans start at $30/month for 100 Mbps and scale up to $90/month for 2 Gbps. No contracts required. No data caps. If your apartment has cable infrastructure (and most do), Spectrum is almost certainly available. It’s the reliable default for renters who need service on day one without scheduling hassles.
AT&T Fiber covers about 44% of the city with symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps. Plans start around $34/month (after autopay and paperless billing discounts) for 300 Mbps. No data caps.
Symmetrical upload speeds are the real selling point here. If you’re on video calls five hours a day or pushing large files to a cloud server, upload performance matters as much as download. But AT&T Fiber isn’t everywhere. Entire communities may or may not be wired for it, and you won’t know until you check your specific address.
Google Fiber is the newest option and the one generating the most buzz. Cedar Park City Council approved a right-of-way agreement with Google Fiber in May 2024. GFiber held its ceremonial construction groundbreaking in September 2025 and began rolling out service in 2026. Speeds go up to 8 Gbps, with no data caps, no annual contracts, and no equipment fees. Cedar Park is the fourth Texas city to receive the service, after Austin, San Antonio, and Round Rock.
| Provider | Max Speed | Starting Price | Data Caps | Contract | Cedar Park Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | 2 Gbps | $30/mo | None | No | ~96% |
| AT&T Fiber | 5 Gbps | $34/mo | None | No | ~44% |
| Google Fiber | 8 Gbps | $70/mo | None | No | Expanding (2026) |
Here’s what matters most for apartment renters: Google Fiber availability is changing neighborhood by neighborhood as construction progresses. If fiber internet is a priority for your remote work setup, check availability at the exact address before you sign a lease. You can verify Google Fiber coverage at fiber.google.com. AT&T Fiber also varies by building, so check at att.com as well.
And one timing detail that catches renters off guard: internet installation appointments can book out one to two weeks during busy periods, especially for fiber service requiring a technician visit. Schedule your installation as soon as you have a confirmed move-in date. Waiting until the week of move-in can leave you sitting on the floor with no Wi-Fi on your first night.
If you work from home and want to know which Cedar Park communities have fiber-ready infrastructure, our team tracks that across the area. Call us at 512-520-0311 and we can match you with properties in east Cedar Park, south Cedar Park, or other corridors that fit your connectivity needs.
Natural Gas: Check Before You Call
Not every Cedar Park apartment uses gas. A lot of communities run all-electric — electric ranges, electric water heaters, electric HVAC. Before you spend time setting up gas service, ask your leasing office whether the unit has gas appliances. If it doesn’t, skip this section.
For communities that do use gas, Cedar Park is split between two providers: Atmos Energy and Texas Gas Service. Which one serves your address depends on your location. Your leasing office or your neighbors can tell you which provider covers your building, or you can call either company and they’ll confirm whether your address falls in their territory.
- Atmos Energy: 800-460-3030
- Texas Gas Service: 800-700-2443
Setup for both requires identification and a credit check for deposit purposes. Deposits are typically refundable after 12 months of on-time payments.
Typical gas costs for a Cedar Park apartment run $30–60/month during winter heating season, dropping to $15–25/month in summer when you’re mostly just running the water heater. Annual average works out to roughly $25–40/month.
What Utilities Actually Cost Each Month in a Cedar Park Apartment
We get this question from almost every new client, and the honest answer depends on your apartment size, your community’s billing structure, and whether you’re looking at January or July. Here’s the full picture in one place:
| Service | 1BR Monthly | 2BR Monthly | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity (PEC) | $75–$125 | $100–$160 | Summer can double these numbers |
| Water/Sewer | $35–$55 | $45–$75 | Usually billed through RUBS |
| Trash (Republic Services) | $0–$22 | $0–$22 | Often included in RUBS or rent |
| Gas (if applicable) | $15–$40 | $20–$50 | Many communities are all-electric |
| Renters Insurance | $15–$25 | $15–$25 | Required at most communities |
| Internet | $30–$70 | $30–$70 | Varies by provider and speed tier |
| Estimated Total | $170–$335 | $210–$400 | Summer adds $50–100+ |
If your community is all-bills-paid, your utility costs are folded into rent. Your only separate expenses are internet and renters insurance, which brings the out-of-pocket total down to $45–95/month.
The spread between low and high end isn’t random. It comes down to three things: whether your apartment faces west (more afternoon sun means higher cooling costs), whether your community uses RUBS allocation or individual meters, and whether you run gas appliances or an all-electric setup. RUBS tends to run slightly higher than individual meters because you’re sharing costs across the building.
When we help clients compare communities across Cedar Park, utility costs are part of the total monthly picture. They sit alongside base rent and mandatory fees like valet trash ($20–25/month), pest control ($5/month), and amenity charges that show up on the same statement. All of that adds up, and the community that advertises the lowest rent isn’t always the one with the lowest total cost.
Renters Insurance: Required at Most Cedar Park Communities
Renters insurance is the one utility-adjacent expense that catches people off guard. If you’ve never rented before, or you last rented somewhere that didn’t require it, this might be new to you. In Cedar Park, most apartment communities require proof of coverage before they hand over keys. It’s not optional at the majority of properties in this market.
Typical requirements: $100,000 to $300,000 in personal liability coverage. Your leasing office will specify the minimum. Some communities also require the management company to be listed as an “interested party” on your policy. All that means is they get notified if your coverage lapses. It doesn’t give them any claim on your policy.
Average cost runs $15–30/month depending on coverage level, deductible, and provider.
| Provider | Typical Monthly Cost | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Lemonade | $5–15 | App-based, fast signup |
| State Farm | $15–25 | Bundling discounts with auto insurance |
| USAA | $10–20 | Military and veteran eligible only |
| Geico | $12–22 | Often competitive on price |
A quick clarification on what renters insurance actually covers: your belongings and your personal liability. If a pipe bursts and damages your furniture, your landlord’s insurance covers the building. Yours covers replacing your stuff. If someone gets injured in your apartment, your liability coverage handles that.
Two practical notes. First, check with your leasing office about whether they accept any licensed insurer or require a specific provider. Some communities have preferred vendors, and buying a policy from the wrong company means purchasing a second one the week of move-in. Second, don’t wait until move-in day. Most policies can be purchased online in 10–15 minutes, and having proof of coverage ready at lease signing prevents last-minute delays.
Seven Questions to Ask Your Leasing Office About Utilities
Your utility experience depends more on how your apartment community structures billing than on the providers themselves.
That’s why these questions matter. They’re the same ones our team covers when helping clients evaluate communities, and asking them before you sign can save you money and headaches down the line:
- Is this community all-bills-paid, or which utilities am I responsible for? The answer reshapes your entire setup checklist.
- Do you use RUBS, submetering, or direct city water accounts? This tells you whether you need to contact the City of Cedar Park or whether water billing happens automatically through your rent statement.
- What’s the average monthly utility cost for this floor plan? Leasing offices track this data. They may not volunteer it, but they have it. Ask.
- Is the building wired for AT&T Fiber or Google Fiber? Cable internet through Spectrum is available nearly everywhere. Fiber is not. If you work from home, the answer to this question could matter more than the floor plan.
- Do you require a specific renters insurance provider? Some communities only accept certain companies. Finding this out after you’ve already purchased a policy from the wrong one is an avoidable headache.
- Are there mandatory monthly fees billed alongside utilities? Valet trash ($20–25/month), pest control ($5/month), and amenity fees frequently appear on the same statement as your RUBS charges. These aren’t utilities. They’re mandatory property fees. But they hit your bank account the same way, and they’re worth knowing about upfront.
- What does the first month’s total look like? Between move-in deposits, first month’s rent, PEC startup fees, and application costs, your first month can run significantly higher than your ongoing monthly expense. Getting a clear number prevents sticker shock during an already expensive transition.
Your Cedar Park Utility Setup Checklist
Timing matters more than most renters expect. Some services need a week of lead time. Others take ten minutes online. Here’s the order that keeps everything running by the time you carry in the first box.
Two to Three Weeks Before Move-In
Electricity (PEC): Apply at mypec.com or call 888-554-4732. Standard connections take about three business days, so don’t wait until the last minute. Same-day service adds $125–175 to your costs. Your leasing office will likely ask for your PEC account number before move-in, so handle this early.
Renters Insurance: Purchase your policy and have proof of coverage ready. Many leasing offices need this before they finalize the lease or release keys. Takes about ten minutes online if you have your coverage requirements from the leasing office.
Internet: Schedule your installation appointment. Fiber installations through AT&T or Google Fiber require a technician visit and can book out one to two weeks. Spectrum self-install kits are faster, but confirm availability at your specific address first.
First Week After Move-In
Water: Confirm with your leasing office whether you need a city water account or if RUBS handles billing for your unit. If you need a direct account, apply at cedarparktexas.gov or call 512-401-5300.
Gas (if applicable): Confirm with your leasing office whether the unit has gas appliances. If it does, call Atmos Energy at 800-460-3030 or Texas Gas Service at 800-700-2443 depending on your address.
Two Things Worth Keeping Handy
If you’re relocating from out of state, request a letter of credit from your previous electric utility before you move. PEC doesn’t automatically pull payment history from other providers, but a letter of credit can help you avoid or reduce the security deposit.
And keep all your confirmation numbers and account numbers in one document. Your leasing office will likely need your PEC account number and your renters insurance policy number before they hand over keys. Having them ready saves a round of phone calls on move-in day.
Emergency Numbers Worth Saving
Save these in your phone before move-in day. You probably won’t need them your first month. But when you do need one, you’ll need it fast.
- Power outage (PEC): 888-883-3379, or text OUTAGE to 25022, or report through the SmartHub app
- Gas leak (Atmos Energy): 866-322-8667
- Gas leak (Texas Gas Service): 800-700-2443
- Water emergency after hours (City of Cedar Park): 512-260-4600, press 0
- Before any digging on the property: Call 811
If you smell gas, leave the apartment immediately without flipping any light switches and call the emergency number from outside. That’s not being overcautious. It’s the standard protocol both gas providers recommend.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cedar Park Utilities
Can I choose my electricity provider in Cedar Park?
No. Cedar Park is served by Pedernales Electric Cooperative, a member-owned cooperative. Unlike deregulated markets like Houston and Dallas, there’s no marketplace of plans to compare and no ability to switch providers. PEC’s residential rate averages roughly 12-13¢ per kilowatt hour as of spring 2026.
How much are utilities per month in a Cedar Park apartment?
For a typical 2-bedroom apartment, expect roughly $100–160/month for electricity (higher in summer), $45–75/month for water and sewer (often billed through your community’s RUBS system), and $15–25/month for renters insurance. Gas adds $25–40/month if your unit uses it. Internet runs $30–90/month depending on provider and speed. Total utility costs generally land between $210 and $400/month on top of rent, with summer pushing the higher end of that range.
Is Google Fiber available in Cedar Park?
Google Fiber broke ground in Cedar Park in September 2025 and started rolling out service in 2026. Coverage is expanding neighborhood by neighborhood, so availability depends on your specific address. Check fiber.google.com to see whether your building or community has access yet. If fiber internet is a priority for remote work, verify coverage before you sign a lease.
Do I need to set up water service for my apartment?
Probably not. Between 60% and 80% of larger apartment communities in Cedar Park handle water billing through RUBS or submetering. The community holds the master account with the city and allocates costs to your unit through a third-party billing provider. Ask your leasing office how water works at your community before contacting the city. If they tell you to open a direct account, apply at cedarparktexas.gov or call 512-401-5300.
Which Cedar Park apartments include utilities in rent?
Seven communities in the Cedar Park area currently operate as all-bills-paid: Bridge at Arella Lakeline, Cedar Park Townhomes, Lakeline Station, 95twenty, Sycamore Springs, Whitestone Crossing, and Crystal Falls Crossing. At these properties, electricity, water, and trash are rolled into your monthly rent. You’d still set up internet and renters insurance separately. Search available Cedar Park apartments to see current pricing and availability at these communities.
What happens if I need same-day electricity connection?
PEC charges $125 for same-day connections during business hours (8 AM–5 PM) and $175 after hours. Standard connections take about three business days with no rush fee. If your move-in date is set, apply at least a week in advance at mypec.com to avoid the extra cost.
How do I keep my electricity bill down during Cedar Park summers?
Set your thermostat to 78°F when you’re home and 82–85°F when you’re away. Ceiling fans make a real difference, letting you raise the thermostat about 4 degrees without noticing. Close blinds on west-facing windows in the afternoon — Cedar Park’s summer sun hits hardest between 2 and 7 PM, and uncovered windows can push your cooling system significantly harder. Use PEC’s SmartHub app to track daily usage so a spike doesn’t catch you at the end of a billing cycle. If you’d rather not deal with seasonal swings at all, PEC’s budget billing option averages your annual costs into equal monthly payments.
If I have a roommate, whose name goes on the utility accounts?
Only one person can hold the PEC account. That person’s credit gets assessed for the deposit, their name goes on the membership, and they’re on the hook for the bill. Same with internet. There’s no way to split accounts between roommates at the provider level, so most people handle it informally — one person holds the PEC account, the other covers internet, and everybody Venmos the difference. Sort that out before move-in day. You don’t want to be having that conversation while hauling a couch up the stairs.
Setting Up Utilities Doesn’t Have to Be the Hard Part of Moving
Electricity trips up the most renters new to Cedar Park. But once you know PEC is your only provider and there’s nothing to shop for, the rest falls into place fast. Your actual utility experience depends less on the providers themselves and more on how your apartment community handles billing. Does water run through RUBS or a direct city account? Is the unit gas or all-electric? Has Google Fiber reached your building yet? Your leasing office can answer all of that before you sign.
PEC and renters insurance go first, two to three weeks before move-in. Internet next (schedule early). Water and gas get confirmed with your leasing office during the first week. That’s everything.
Looking for a Cedar Park apartment and want to know how different communities handle utility billing, included services, and total monthly costs? We track this across 60+ communities in the Cedar Park, Leander, and surrounding areas. Call us at 512-520-0311. The service is free, and we do this every day.