Why more expensive?

I lived in Marshall, Minn., before moving to Fairmont. My utility bill in Marshall ran about $25 to $26 every month, which I didn’t think was bad, considering I’d been paying around $70 a month in Texas.

I’ve been in Fairmont for a few months and my utility bill keeps going up. One of my bills was nearly $45.

I don’t like this trend.

You have to understand I don’t have an expensive lifestyle: I haven’t lived in ritzy neighborhoods, I don’t have a lot of electronic toys, I shut stuff off instead of leaving it running — nothing to account for the increased bill and the fact it’s been climbing.

My question is why is it more expensive to live in Fairmont?