Average Utility Bills Per Month for an Apartment

These are current national averages for apartment renters paying their own utilities. Actual costs vary by climate, state, building age, and personal habits. Add $55–$90/month for internet in every case below — it is almost never included in rent.

These are the questions renters search most — and the answers most guides bury in fine print or skip entirely. No padding, no filler.

• 1
  What is the average utility bill for a 1-bedroom apartment per month? $130–$226/month for electricity + gas + water · Add $65–$90 for internet = $195–$316 total · Hot-climate summer peaks: $250–$350+

  The national average for basic utilities in a 1-bedroom apartment (electricity, gas, water) runs $130–$226/month. That range is wide because a 1-bedroom in an older building in Atlanta with window units running from May through October costs dramatically more than a 1-bedroom in Denver with shared wall insulation and a gas furnace. The single biggest variable is your electricity bill, which accounts for roughly 65–70% of your total utility spending in a typical apartment. Electricity for a 1-bedroom runs $90–$134/month at the national average rate of 17.9 cents per kilowatt-hour (EIA, 2026). Add internet — which is almost never included in rent — and your realistic monthly utility budget for a 1-bedroom is $195–$316. The practical move before signing a lease: ask the landlord or property manager for the previous tenant’s utility bills from the last 12 months. They’re almost always willing to share them, and they tell you the real number — including the July electric bill that your average calculation won’t reveal.
• 2
  What is the average utility bill for a 2-bedroom apartment per month? $180–$295/month for basic utilities · With internet: $240–$380/month · Split between 2 people: $120–$190 each · Summer peaks in hot climates: $350–$450

  A 2-bedroom uses roughly 700–1,000 kWh of electricity per month — about 40% more than a 1-bedroom — because there are more rooms to heat, cool, and light, often more occupants, and typically a larger square footage. At current national average electricity rates, that’s $120–$180/month for electric alone. Gas adds $30–$55/month, water another $30–$60. The total for basic utilities lands $180–$295/month. The real benefit of a 2-bedroom with a roommate: if you split the utility bill equally, each person typically pays $90–$150/month — substantially less than a solo tenant in a 1-bedroom would pay. When comparing “can I afford a 1-bedroom alone or should I get a 2-bedroom with someone?” the utility math often tips the scale: the 2-bedroom with a split almost always costs less per person in total housing costs when you factor in both rent and utilities together.
• 3
  What is the most expensive utility in an apartment? Electricity — accounts for 65–70% of basic utility costs · Runs $90–$134/month in a 1-bedroom nationally · In hot climates: $150–$200+ in summer · Air conditioning is the single largest electricity draw in any apartment

  Electricity is the dominant utility cost in virtually every apartment in America. Air conditioning is the biggest reason. Running central air at 72°F costs roughly 36 cents per hour. Running it for 8 hours a day for 90 summer days adds $26/month to your electric bill compared to setting the thermostat 6 degrees higher at 78°F. That one habit change — setting the AC to 78°F instead of 72°F — is estimated to save 3–5% per degree, meaning a 6-degree adjustment saves roughly 18–30% on cooling costs. The second largest electricity draw is your water heater if it’s electric. Third is your refrigerator, which runs 24 hours a day and can account for 10–15% of your total electric use in an apartment. A quick test: if your electric bill is higher than expected, look at three things in order — thermostat settings, whether your refrigerator coils are clean and the door seals are tight, and whether you have any older appliances that are running constantly. Old refrigerators from the 1990s or early 2000s use 2–3 times more electricity than modern ENERGY STAR models.
• 4
  How much is a water bill for an apartment per month? 1-bedroom: $20–$50/month · 2-bedroom: $30–$60/month · Most apartments have water included in rent or billed through a RUBS system — not a direct meter · Average U.S. person uses 82 gallons/day

  Water is usually the smallest individual utility bill for apartment renters, and it’s also the most commonly misunderstood. Many buildings don’t meter water individually — instead, they use a RUBS system (Ratio Utility Billing System), where the building’s total water bill is divided among tenants by unit size or number of occupants. Under RUBS, you pay a share of the building’s total consumption regardless of how much you personally use, which means a neighbor with an undetected leak in their unit can raise your water bill. If you’re being billed under RUBS, ask the property manager for documentation of how the ratio is calculated. If you’re on an individual sub-meter and your water bill suddenly spikes, the first thing to check is your toilet — a running toilet can waste 200 gallons per day and add $30–$60 to a single monthly bill without making any obvious sound. The dye-tablet test (available free from most water utilities) confirms a toilet leak in about 10 minutes. Drop a tablet in the tank; if color appears in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak — and that’s your landlord’s responsibility to fix, not yours.
• 5
  How much is the average gas bill for a 1-bedroom apartment? National average: $20–$42/month for a 1-bedroom · Winter peaks in cold states: $80–$150/month · Mild or warm-climate states: $15–$25/month year-round · Gas heat is generally cheaper than electric heat

  Gas bills are the most seasonal of all apartment utilities. In states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and New England, a 1-bedroom can average $20–$30/month in summer and spike to $120–$150/month in January and February when the furnace runs constantly. In mild-climate states like California, Florida, and the Southwest, the gas bill for a 1-bedroom rarely exceeds $30/month year-round because heating demand is minimal. Natural gas is used for three things in most apartments: heating, hot water, and cooking. If your apartment has gas heat, your winter gas bills will be substantially higher than the annual average suggests. The useful habit: set your thermostat to 68°F when home and 60–62°F when sleeping or away. Each degree above 68°F adds approximately 3% to your heating bill. Dropping from 72°F to 68°F saves roughly 12% — that’s $10–$18/month on a $80–$150 winter gas bill, adding up to $60–$90 over a heating season just from that one thermostat adjustment.
• 6
  How much is the average internet bill for an apartment? National average: $65–$90/month · Basic plans: $40–$55/month · Gigabit fiber: $65–$80/month in competitive markets · Never rent a modem from your ISP — buy your own for $60–$100 and recoup it in 4–6 months

  Internet is the one utility that went up in price while simultaneously getting much faster — but there’s still significant overpaying happening in American apartments. The average internet bill runs about $77/month nationally. Where you’re overpaying most often: modem and router rental fees. Most ISPs charge $10–$15/month to rent a modem, which is $120–$180/year for hardware that costs $60–$100 to buy outright. Purchasing your own compatible modem — a 5-minute Amazon order with your ISP’s approved equipment list — pays for itself in 4–6 months and you never pay the rental fee again. The second-biggest savings move: call your ISP once a year and ask what current promotional rates are available for your address. Customer retention departments routinely have pricing $20–$30/month below your current rate — but only for people who ask. If they won’t budge, mention that you’re considering switching to a competitor. That single phone call saves the average household $240–$360/year. If 5G home internet is available at your address (T-Mobile or Verizon Home Internet), it often delivers comparable or better speeds at $50–$70/month with no contract and no equipment fees — worth checking if your area has coverage.
• 7
  What utilities are typically included in apartment rent — and what’s usually not? Usually included: water, trash, sometimes sewer · Almost never included: electricity, internet, cable · Sometimes included: gas (older buildings, heated apartments) · “Utilities included” almost always means water and trash only — not electric or internet

  This is where the most expensive misunderstandings happen during apartment hunting. “Utilities included” in a listing almost never means what it sounds like. The vast majority of the time it means water and trash collection only — the two cheapest utilities. Electricity and internet, which together represent 70–80% of what most renters actually spend on utilities, are almost universally tenant-paid. Gas is more variable: older apartment buildings with central boilers sometimes include heat in the rent, but individual gas meters are increasingly common in newer buildings where tenants pay their own gas. Before calculating whether an apartment is affordable, get in writing exactly which utilities are included. An apartment listing at $1,400/month “utilities included” where only water and trash are covered costs the same in total monthly housing expense as a $1,250/month apartment where you pay your own utilities of ~$220/month. Always add up rent plus estimated utilities to get your true monthly housing cost before comparing apartments.
• 8
  Can I get help paying my utility bills if I can’t afford them? Yes — LIHEAP provides heating and cooling bill assistance to renters earning up to 150% of federal poverty level · Apply at your state’s LIHEAP office or usa.gov/help-with-energy-bills · Call 211 from any phone — it connects you to all local utility assistance programs for free

  The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that pays heating and cooling bills directly to your utility company on your behalf. Renters and homeowners both qualify. Eligibility is based on income — most states set the threshold at 130–150% of the federal poverty level. For a single person, that’s roughly $20,000–$23,000/year in 2026. For a family of four, approximately $42,000–$50,000/year depending on state. Beyond LIHEAP, the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides free home energy upgrades — insulation, weatherstripping, programmable thermostats, and efficient appliances — at no cost to qualifying low-income renters (with landlord consent). These upgrades permanently lower your monthly bills without any recurring cost. Most utility companies also run their own low-income discount rate programs, separate from LIHEAP, that reduce your monthly bill by 10–30% if you qualify. You won’t be enrolled automatically — you have to call your utility and ask. One number that reaches all of it: dial 211 from any phone in the U.S., at any time, for free. It connects you to local energy assistance coordinators who can screen you for every program you qualify for, including ones that don’t appear in a Google search. It is the fastest single step you can take if utility bills are becoming unmanageable.

Use the buttons below to find utility assistance offices, energy providers, or home efficiency services near your apartment. Always ask your utility company about income-qualified discount programs before paying full price.