What Can I Expect to Pay for Utilities in a Manufactured Home?
August 28, 2026
Understanding the real factors behind your monthly utility costs When you're shopping for a home, the purchase price is only part of the equation. Buyers also want to know what it will cost to live in the home each month—including electricity, natural gas, and water.
Modern manufactured homes are designed to provide comfortable, efficient living without the size and expense of a much larger home. While utility costs vary from one homeowner to another, there are several factors that make a difference.
Your Utilities, Your Usage
At Hames Homes, homeowners have a direct relationship with their natural gas and electric providers. You will pay those bills directly to the providers after setting up an account with them.
Water works a little differently. Hames communities use individual water meters to track each home's usage through a third-party service. Water charges are included as part of your monthly lot rent. This allows homeowners to pay based on their actual water consumption rather than a community-wide flat rate.
On average, we have found water costs to be approximately $10–$15 per month per person living in the home.
And just like any home, your personal habits matter. Thermostat settings, the number of people in the home, laundry, showers, appliances, and everyday energy use can all affect your monthly bills.
The Bottom Line
There isn't one utility bill that applies to every manufactured home. The home you choose, its major systems, and the way you live in it all play a role.
At Hames Homes, we want you to understand the whole cost of homeownership, not just the purchase price. We're happy to walk you through the home's major systems, monthly lot rent, and utilities so you can make a decision that fits your budget and lifestyle.
Have questions? Call Clint or Curtis at 319.377.4863. We're happy to help you take the next step toward affordable homeownership. Come see how easy home ownership can be.