Moving to Marietta, GA? Your Complete Utility Setup Guide (2026)
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Marietta is the heart of Cobb County — a historic downtown square, excellent restaurants, proximity to the Braves at Truist Park, and some of the most established neighborhoods in metro Atlanta. It's also one of the most utility-complex cities on this site.
Here's why: having a Marietta address does not necessarily mean you live inside the City of Marietta. A large portion of what's commonly called "Marietta" — particularly East Cobb — is actually unincorporated Cobb County. And whether you're inside or outside city limits determines nearly every utility you'll set up.
This guide covers both scenarios clearly so you know exactly who to call.
Marietta Utility Setup Checklist
- Confirm your status — inside Marietta city limits, or unincorporated Cobb County with a Marietta address?
- Electricity — Marietta Power (inside city) OR Cobb EMC / Georgia Power (outside city)
- Water — Marietta Power and Water (inside city) OR Cobb County Water (outside city)
- Natural Gas — Atlanta Gas Light + your choice of gas marketer
- Internet — AT&T, Xfinity, or others (address-dependent)
- Trash & Recycling — Marietta Sanitation (inside city) OR private hauler (outside city)
- Georgia Driver's License — required within 30 days of becoming a GA resident
Step Zero: Are You Inside City Limits?
Before setting up a single utility, answer this question. Your address may say "Marietta, GA" while actually being in unincorporated East Cobb — which means completely different providers for electricity, water, and trash.
How to check:
- Visit mariettaga.gov and use the address lookup tool
- Or call Marietta City Hall at 770-794-5601 and ask if your address falls within city limits
Once you know, the rest of the guide is straightforward.
1. Electricity
Inside Marietta City Limits — Marietta Power
Marietta Power is one of the largest municipal electric utilities in Georgia, serving more than 45,000 customers. Founded in 1906, it's community-owned and governed by a board of city and county citizens — meaning profits stay in the community rather than going to shareholders. Electricity rates average around 14 cents per kWh, on par with or slightly better than Georgia Power.
How to set up Marietta Power:
- Visit mariettaga.gov/1503/Power-Water
- Or call Marietta Power and Water directly
- Set up electricity and water together — Marietta Power and Water handles both for city residents
Outside City Limits — Cobb EMC or Georgia Power
If you have a Marietta address but live in unincorporated Cobb County (most of East Cobb falls here), your electric provider is likely Cobb EMC — a non-profit electric cooperative serving nearly 200,000 homes across Cobb and surrounding counties.
- Cobb EMC: cobbemc.com | 770-429-2100 | 1000 EMC Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060
Quick check: Look at your electricity meter — the provider name is printed on it. This is the fastest way to confirm without making calls.
2. Water & Sewer
Inside Marietta City Limits — Marietta Power and Water
The same entity that handles your electricity also handles your water and sewer if you're inside city limits. Marietta Power and Water is currently undergoing a major infrastructure upgrade (Upper ER Sewer Replacement Project) to improve system reliability — expect some construction activity near active work zones.
Set up water and electricity together through mariettaga.gov/1503/Power-Water — one account, one call.
Outside City Limits — Cobb County Water System
If you're in unincorporated Cobb County, water and sewer service is handled by the Cobb County Water System.
- Visit cobbcounty.org → Departments → Water System
- Or call Cobb County Water System customer service
3. Natural Gas — Atlanta Gas Light + Your Gas Marketer
Like all of metro Atlanta, Marietta runs on Georgia's deregulated natural gas market:
3a. Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) — The Pipes
AGL owns and maintains the gas pipeline infrastructure throughout Cobb County. For emergencies, call 1-877-427-4321.
3b. Your Gas Marketer — Who Bills You
You choose a separate company to supply and bill you for the gas. Popular options in Marietta include:
| Provider | Known For |
|---|---|
| Atlanta Gas Light (direct) | Most popular, familiar brand |
| Gas South | Competitive rates, local Georgia company |
| Georgia Natural Gas | Fixed-rate plans, strong name recognition |
| SCANA Energy | Budget-friendly variable options |
| Walton Gas | Available in parts of Cobb County |
| Constellation Energy | Long-term fixed-rate plans |
Compare current rates at GeorgiaGas.com. Fixed-rate plans protect against seasonal price spikes; variable plans can be cheaper short-term.
4. Internet — The Best Providers in Marietta
Marietta has strong internet coverage with multiple providers competing across the city.
AT&T Fiber — Best Overall ⭐
AT&T Fiber offers symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps across much of Marietta — upload matches download, which matters for remote work and video calls. Starting around $34/month.
Best for: Remote workers, streamers, multi-device households
Check AT&T availability at your address →
Xfinity — Best Coverage
Xfinity cable internet covers a wide swath of Marietta and East Cobb with strong promotional pricing and bundle options starting around $35/month.
Best for: Households wanting plan flexibility or a TV bundle
Check Xfinity availability at your address →
Spectrum — No Contract Option
Spectrum offers cable internet with no contracts and no data caps where available in the Marietta area, starting around $30/month.
Best for: Renters or households that want flexibility
Check Spectrum availability at your address →
Want a deeper comparison? See our full guide to the best internet providers in Marietta.
Note: Marietta and East Cobb have good competition between AT&T, Xfinity, and Spectrum. Check all three at your specific address — promotional rates can vary significantly.
5. Trash & Recycling
Inside Marietta City Limits — Marietta Sanitation
The City of Marietta Sanitation Division handles trash pickup for city residents.
- Contact: 770-794-5581
- Website: mariettaga.gov/475/Sanitation-Services
Outside City Limits — Private Haulers
In unincorporated East Cobb, you contract directly with a private hauler. American Disposal Services is one established option operating in the area:
- American Disposal Services: 703-368-0500 | americandisposal.com
HOA residents: Many East Cobb communities include trash service through the HOA — check your HOA documents before setting up separate service.
6. Georgia Driver's License & Vehicle Registration
Once you establish Georgia residency, you have 30 days to apply for a Georgia Driver's License. Vehicle registration follows the same timeline.
- Schedule at dds.georgia.gov
- The Cobb County DDS office is conveniently located in Marietta
Smart Home Upgrades Worth Installing on Day One
Smart Thermostat — ecobee
Marietta's established homes and varied lot sizes mean heating and cooling costs are real. The ecobee smart thermostat learns your schedule, auto-adjusts when you leave, and integrates with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit.
Video Doorbell — eufy Security E340
The eufy Security E340 dual-camera doorbell covers your front door and package zone with no monthly fees and local storage included.
Water Filter Pitcher — Brita
Whether on Marietta Power and Water or Cobb County Water, a Brita pitcher is an easy upgrade for better-tasting drinking water.
Estimated Monthly Utility Costs in Marietta
| Utility | Estimated Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Electricity | $100–$155 |
| Water & Sewer | $40–$70 |
| Natural Gas | $40–$80 |
| Internet | $30–$80 |
| Trash & Recycling | $20–$35 |
| Total | ~$230–$420 |
Marietta averages around $198/month in combined utilities for a typical household — one of the more affordable totals in the North Atlanta area.
Your Marietta New Resident Setup Timeline
2–3 weeks before move-in:
- Confirm whether you're inside or outside Marietta city limits
- Set up electricity and water together (Marietta Power and Water) or separately (Cobb EMC + Cobb County Water) depending on your address
- Choose and set up your natural gas marketer
- Order internet service
1 week before move-in:
- Confirm all utility start dates
- Set up trash service (Marietta Sanitation or private hauler)
Within 30 days of move-in:
- Visit Cobb County DDS for your Georgia Driver's License
- Register your vehicle in Georgia
Final Thoughts
Marietta's utility setup has one real complexity — the city limits question — but once you've sorted that out, everything else follows logically. If you're inside city limits, Marietta Power and Water simplifies things by bundling electricity and water into one account. If you're in East Cobb, Cobb EMC and Cobb County Water are your providers and both are well-established.
If you found this guide helpful, check out our full Marietta utility comparison pages, or explore guides for nearby cities like Smyrna, Sandy Springs, and Roswell.
Last updated: June 2026. Provider availability and pricing change frequently — always verify directly with the provider before signing up.