“The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” is an old proverb meaning that everyone’s situation in life is seemingly (if not actually) more desirable than one’s own. “If the grass is greener on the other side, you can bet the water bill is higher” is a saying that has been printed on many images.
   
“If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, the water bill may be higher too” was cited in print in 1952.
 
       
Wiktionary: the grass is always greener on the other side
Alternative forms
. the grass is always greener (normal shortened form).
. the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence (normal long form).
Proverb
the grass is always greener on the other side
1. Other circumstances seem more desirable than one’s own but in reality are often not.
     
11 August 1952, Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale, IL), pg. 4, col. 3:
If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, the water bill may be higher too.
 
13 July 1956, Honolulu (HI) Star-Bulletin, “Wise and Otherwise,” pg. 8, col. 2:
“If the grass is greener in the other fellow’s yard—you can also be sure his water bill is higher.—Christian Science Monitor
           
30 March 1961, Windsor (CO) Beacon, pg. 2, col. 3:
If the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, you can bet the water bill is higher.
Processing Equipment News
 
15 April 1961, Mason City (IA) Globe-Gazette, “Pros and cons,” pg. 11, col. 2:
If the grass is greener
Iowa Falls Citizen: If the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, you can bet the water bill is higher too.
 
8 May 1962, Chicago (IL) Daily Tribune, “Good Morning,” pt. 3, pg. 3, col. 5:
If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, you can bet the water bill is higher.
Pure Oil News
 
Google Books
1800 Quotes, Quips, and Squibs
By E. C. McKenzie
Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House
1972
Pg. 23:
If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, you can bet the water bill is higher.
 
Google Books
20,000 Quips & Quotes
By Evan Esar
New York, NY: Barnes & Noble Books
1995, ©1968
Pg. 357:
Don’t envy your neighbor whose grass is greener — his water bill is higher too.
 
Google Books
The Laugh-a-Day Book of Bloopers, Quotes & Good Clean Jokes
By Jim Kraus
Grand Rapids, MI: Revell
2012
Pg. ?:
If the grass is greener in your neighbor’s yard, you can bet his water bill is higher
   
Google Books
Every Piece of Me:
Shattering Toxic Beliefs and Discovering the Real You
By Jerusha Clark
Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books
2017
Pg. ?:
Perhaps that’s why an anonymous quote I came across struck me so powerfully: “If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, you can bet the water bill is higher.”
 
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If the grass is greener on the other side, you can bet the water bill is
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8:01 AM - 21 Sep 2017