- Free Xfinity Mobile Line for 1 year
- Free Peacock Premium*
- Free WiFi Equipment for 24 months
- $100 Visa Prepaid Cards for students
Quick Utility Facts
- The electricity, natural gas, and water utility is MLGW.
- Internet service is provided by Xfinity and AT&T.
- The cheapest internet plan in Memphis is $30.00/month from Xfinity.
- The City of Memphis provides trash and recycling services.
Electric Providers in Memphis
Electricity across the Bluff City is delivered by Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW), a non-profit municipal utility owned by the City of Memphis and the largest three-service public utility in the United States. Rather than generating its own electricity, MLGW purchases 100 percent of its wholesale power from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) under a long-standing public power contract. Because MLGW operates as a municipal entity governed by an appointed Board of Commissioners and the Memphis City Council, residential electricity rates sit well below national and regional averages, typically running between 11.5 and 13.0 cents per kWh. Your monthly electric charge combines a base customer charge, volumetric tiered rates, and a monthly TVA Fuel Cost Adjustment (FCA) that shifts with wholesale power plant fuel expenses. However, long, sweltering Mid-South summers bring heavy humidity that pushes central air conditioners to their limits from June through September. To keep summer utility bills in check, households take advantage of TVA EnergyRight home energy evaluations, install programmable smart thermostats to pre-cool living spaces in the morning, and shift high-draw appliances—such as clothes dryers, dishwashers, and electric vehicle chargers — away from peak afternoon cooling hours.
Top 2 Natural Gas Providers in Memphis
Natural gas service across Memphis and Shelby County is supplied and distributed directly by MLGW, which owns, operates, and inspects the physical underground pipeline mains and manages 24/7 gas leak emergency response. Because MLGW operates under a municipal monopoly framework, commodity fuel supply and physical pipeline distribution fees are bundled together on your statement. Gas commodity costs are passed through directly at market rates via a monthly Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) rider without private retail broker markups. MLGW assesses a mandatory monthly customer service fee alongside volumetric delivery rates per Ccf (100 cubic feet). Because Memphis winters bring damp freezes, cold snaps, and occasional ice storms, natural gas forced-air furnaces, boilers, and water heaters work hard between November and March. Volumetric consumption falls dramatically once spring arrives; however, MLGW’s fixed monthly customer fee ensures your natural gas account carries a baseline infrastructure charge year-round, even in July and August when your heating system is turned off completely.
Top 10 Internet Providers in Memphis
- 2 Gbps
- Cable & Fiber
- Unlimited
- TV & Phone
- 99.5%
- $30.00/mo
- Lock in Your Price for 5 Years
- 5 Gbps
- Fiber
- Unlimited
- Mobile
- 91.92%
- $35.00/mo
- Get a $200 Reward Card*
- 400 Mbps
- Satellite
- Unlimited
- None
- 100%
- $55.00/mo
- 300 Mbps
- 5G
- Unlimited
- Mobile
- 99.41%
- $35.00/mo
- Wireless Internet Great for Renters
- 498 Mbps
- 5G
- 1.2 TB
- Mobile
- 98.54%
- $35.00/mo
- Wireless Internet
- 300 Mbps
- 5G
- Unlimited
- Mobile
- 99.89%
- $40.00/mo
- Wireless Internet
- 150 Mbps
- Satellite
- 150-850 GB
- Phone
- 100%
- $39.99/mo
- Varies
- Fiber, Cable, 5G, & Satellite
- Varies
- 95%
- $39.95/mo
- 2 Gbps
- Fiber
- 1 TB
- 4.3%
- $29.00/mo
- 7 Gbps**
- Cable & Fiber
- Unlimited
- TV & Phone
- Limited%
- $30.00/mo
- Most Affordable Plans
Getting your internet hooked up in Memphis is straightforward, and you have solid high-speed competition across most of the city. Your top wired pick for fast, symmetrical speeds is AT&T Fiber, which has built out dedicated fiber-to-the-home coverage across large sections of town with symmetrical upload and download speeds and no data caps. If fiber has not been pulled to your street yet, Xfinity provides reliable cable internet across nearly every neighborhood, alongside dependable 5G home internet options from T-Mobile and Verizon. If you are moving into one of Memphis’s classic historic neighborhoods — like a bungalow in Midtown, Cooper-Young, Central Gardens, or Victorian Village — mature oak trees and older overhead utility easements in rear alleys can occasionally require the technician to take extra time routing the exterior drop to the house. If you are moving into a newer apartment or condo in Downtown, the South Main Arts District, or out toward East Memphis and Cordova, high-speed lines are usually pre-wired and ready to turn on right away.
Water & Sewage Providers in Memphis
Water and sanitary sewer services are provided in a unified billing setup where drinking water is supplied by MLGW and wastewater collection is managed by the City of Memphis Division of Public Works. Memphis tap water is famous for its quality, drawn directly from the deep Memphis Sand Aquifer — a protected artesian groundwater basin that naturally filters drinking water through pristine sand layers, requiring minimal chemical treatment. MLGW makes managing household bills convenient by bundling electric power, natural gas, drinking water, sewer treatment, and the city’s municipal solid waste fee onto a single consolidated monthly MLGW statement. Clean water is billed on a metered volumetric scale alongside a base meter charge. Sewer treatment fees are billed volumetrically based on your metered water consumption. Because sewer rates scale directly with incoming tap water volume without a summer irrigation waiver, an undetected toilet flapper leak or outdoor sprinkler leak will rapidly inflate both the water and sewer portions of your monthly bill.
Top 9 Trash and Recycling Providers in Memphis
Trash and recycling in Memphis are handled by the City of Memphis Division of Solid Waste Management, with monthly collection fees billed straight onto your MLGW utility statement. The single biggest surprise for newcomers is the cart color scheme, which is the exact opposite of most cities: the green cart is for household garbage and the gray cart is for clean recyclables! Both carts are collected on the same day each week. Memphis has a surprisingly generous recycling program that accepts clean cardboard, paper, metal cans, and rigid plastic containers (#1 through #7) loose in the gray cart — just make sure never to bag your recyclables, as plastic bags jam the sorting facility. For larger items, the city runs an “Outside-the-Cart” bulk pickup program twice a month on your regular trash day (either the 1st and 3rd week or the 2nd and 4th week of the month), scooping up furniture, mattresses, and tree limbs. If you have extra junk between cycles, you can haul up to one truckload per month for free to a City Convenience Center by showing your current MLGW bill and driver’s license. Just roll your carts to the curb by 7:00 AM on your pickup morning with three feet of clearance around them.
Utilities Summary for Memphis, TN
| Electric Companies: | 1 |
| Natural Gas Companies: | 2 |
| Water & Sewage Providers: | 1 |
| Garbage, Trash & Recycling Providers: | 9 |
| Municipal Electricity: | Yes |
Welcome to Memphis! Your Guide to Utilities and Internet Providers
Memphis is a lively, historic city on the Mississippi River, known for its blues heritage, legendary BBQ, and the iconic Beale Street. With nearly 900,000 people in the metro area, it’s the economic and cultural hub of the Mid‑South . If you’re relocating here, you’re joining a diverse community with rich arts, music, and culinary scenes, and a strong spirit of Southern hospitality.
Electric, Gas & Water
Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW) is the nation’s largest three-service municipal utility, serving around 440,000 homes in the city and Shelby County. It provides electricity (from TVA), natural gas, and water, which comes from the Memphis aquifer, an underground resource over 2,000 years old.
Rebates & Efficiency Perks
MLGW partners with TVA to offer energy-efficiency incentives, like rebates on LED lighting, smart thermostats, and high-efficiency heat pumps. Customers can explore energy audits and save by upgrading insulation and HVAC systems.
Fun Facts
- The Memphis aquifer system is one of the largest artesian well setups globally, with over 175 wells across the city.
- MLGW has served the community since 1939 and is a key part of Memphis’s civic history.
Trash & Recycling
Memphis’s trash, recycling, and yard waste services are handled by MLGW too, though it’s technically under the City’s Sanitation Bureau. Services include weekly trash pickup, bi-weekly recycling, and special bulk pickup days. MLGW’s website offers a handy calendar and reminders to ensure you stay on schedule.
Best Internet Providers in Memphis
Memphis offers strong broadband options, including cable, fiber, and even 5G home internet.
- AT&T Fiber: Speeds up to 5 Gbps, no data caps, and often includes auto-pay discounts, reward cards, and bundle savings. Available to just over 85% of the Memphis area.
- Xfinity: Nationwide cable service providing speeds up to 2 Gbps, usually budget-friendly and available to over 99% of the city.
- T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Wireless, easy self-installation, unlimited data, no contract, usually around $40/month .
Choosing What’s Best
- Looking for top-tier speeds and reliability? Go with AT&T Fiber or Xfinity Gig.
- Want flexibility and simplicity? T‑Mobile 5G is a strong contender.
- Concerned about contracts and data caps? T‑Mobile also offers worry-free service.
Conservation & Sustainability
Renewable Integration
- The TVA Allen Solar Plant near Memphis produces clean solar energy. As an MLGW customer, you benefit indirectly from TVA’s investment in renewables.
- MLGW and TVA encourage solar panel installations, with rebates available for residential solar and battery storage systems, helping you go green while saving on bills.
Water Conservation
Memphis’s water comes from a sustainable aquifer. To help conserve it, MLGW promotes efficient appliances (like low-flow fixtures and ENERGY STAR washers) and offers usage dashboards so you can monitor and manage consumption.
Financial Assistance for Utilities in Memphis
LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
Shelby County residents earning up to 60–130% of federal poverty level can apply for aid with heating or cooling expenses. Applications are handled by the Shelby County Community Services Agency (CSA).
MLGW/TVA Utility Assistance Fund
Memphis offers ongoing help for customers at risk of utility shutoff. Households earning ≤130% of poverty level or connected to DHS benefits may receive up to $700 credit on MLGW bills.
Neighborhood Christian Centers (NCC)
Through an MLGW/TVA partnership, NCC offers similar bill relief to those not already receiving DHS assistance.
Other Support
OUTLast and Friends for All provide utility help for households, including up to 21 weeks of assistance or $500 grants.
About the Author
David has been an integral part of some of the biggest utility sites on the internet, including InMyArea.com, HighSpeedInternet.com, BroadbandNow.com, and U.S. News. He brings over 15 years of experience writing about, compiling and analyzing utility data.
Memphis Internet Connectivity
Fastest Internet Providers in Memphis
| Provider | Connection Type | Download Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | Cable & Fiber | 2 Gbps |
| AT&T Fiber | Fiber | 5 Gbps |
| Starlink | Satellite | 400 Mbps |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet | 5G | 300 Mbps |
| T-Mobile 5G Home Internet | 5G | 498 Mbps |
| AT&T Air | 5G | 300 Mbps |
| Viasat | Satellite | 150 Mbps |
| Earthlink | Fiber, Cable, 5G, & Satellite | Varies |
| Brightspeed | Fiber | 2 Gbps |
| Spectrum | Cable & Fiber | 7 Gbps |
*Not all speeds available in all areas
Memphis Drinking Water Quality Information
Clean drinking water is essential for maintaining good health and overall well-being. Safe, contaminant-free water helps prevent the spread of diseases, supports proper hydration, and ensures the body's vital functions operate smoothly.
Memphis's Primary Drinking Water Source: Ground Water
Drinking Water Contaminant Levels
Legal limit: 15 ppb
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Legal limit: 60 ppb
Legal limit: No Limit Set
Legal limit: No Limit Set
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Utilities in Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it true I don't need a water filter here?
Memphians are famously proud of their water, and for good reason. Our water is drawn from the Memphis Sand Aquifer, a natural underground reservoir that acts as a giant filter. It’s some of the purest artesian water in the world. Most locals drink straight from the tap, so save your money on those expensive filtration systems!
Why is my MLGW bill so high the first month?
MLGW is the largest three-service (Light, Gas, and Water) municipal utility in the country. New accounts often require a $200 security deposit.
Pro tip: If you have 12 months of “on-time” history with your previous utility, call them and ask for a Letter of Credit. If you email that to MLGW before you move, they can often waive that deposit entirely.
What is "Estimated Billing" and should I be worried?
Occasionally, if MLGW can’t access your meter (due to a locked gate or a dog), they will “estimate” your usage based on previous years. This can lead to a surprise bill later. Make sure your meters are accessible, or better yet, download the MLGW app and submit your own meter readings to ensure your bill is 100% accurate.
Why do the lights flicker when it's windy?
Memphis is a “City of Trees,” and many of our most beautiful neighborhoods (like Midtown and East Memphis) have massive, old-growth oaks. During summer thunderstorms or winter ice storms, branches often take down lines. Keep the MLGW Outage Map bookmarked on your phone; it’s the most accurate way to see when your power will be back.
Does MLGW offer "Time of Use" rates?
No, Memphis is a regulated market through the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). You pay a flat rate regardless of the time of day. However, you can sign up for “SmartPay,” which averages your bills over the year so you don’t get hit with a massive cooling bill in August.
What are "Alpha" and "Bravo" weeks?
In Memphis, recycling is picked up every other week. The city is split into “Alpha” and “Bravo” schedules. Check the Memphis Curbside app or the city website to see which week your neighborhood falls into. If you put your blue bin out on the wrong week, it’ll just sit there until the next cycle.
How do I get rid of "Bulk Waste" (old couches, etc.)?
Memphis offers curbside bulk pickup once every two weeks (on your off-recycling week). The rule of thumb is the “3-Foot Rule”: your pile shouldn’t be larger than 3 feet high, 3 feet wide, and 10 feet long. Anything larger requires a “special pickup” fee that will be added to your MLGW bill.
What if my trash bin is missing?
If you move into a new house and there are no bins, don’t just buy your own! Call 311 or use the Memphis 311 app. The city provides the bins, and they are assigned to the address, not the person.
Who has the best fiber in Memphis?
While Xfinity and AT&T are the big players, keep an eye out for C Spire. They’ve been aggressively laying fiber in neighborhoods like Sea Isle and East Memphis. If they are on your street, they are often the “local” favorite for customer service.
How do I pay my bill in person?
If you prefer to pay in cash or just want to talk to someone, MLGW has several Community Offices (like the one on Main St. or on Summer Ave.).
Warning: Mondays and the days after holidays are notoriously busy. Use the “MLGW Drive-Thru” at the community offices to save yourself an hour of standing in line.
Why is MLGW considered a unique utility provider?
Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) is the largest municipal three-service public utility in the country. Instead of dealing with separate power companies, gas providers, and water departments, residential customers receive one consolidated monthly statement covering electric, natural gas, and drinking water, along with city sewer and trash fees.