Average Utilities Cost Per Month — Complete Breakdown

Utility cost questions span everything from “what’s the average electricity bill” to “are utilities included in rent.” The most-searched questions are answered with current data below.

• 1
  How much are utilities per month in the USA? Complete bundle (all utilities + internet + phone): ~$564–$611/month · Basic utilities only (electricity + gas + water): ~$300–$450/month · Apartments: ~$150–$250/month (smaller space, some included) · Houses: typically 117% more than apartments

  Multiple major studies put total U.S. household utility spending between $564 and $611 per month for 2026 when all services are included — electricity, natural gas, water/sewer, trash and recycling, internet, cable, and phone. The EIA reports the national average electricity bill alone is approximately $137/month. Adding natural gas ($80–$100/month in colder states), water and sewer ($70–$100/month), trash ($20–$35/month), and high-speed internet ($50–$90/month) brings the total to $350–$460 per month for basic utilities plus internet in a typical house, before adding phone service. People living in houses pay roughly 117% more for utilities than apartment dwellers because of larger square footage, outdoor water usage, and greater heating and cooling loads. Apartment residents — particularly in smaller units or buildings with some utilities included in rent — commonly report total utility costs of $150–$250/month for what they pay directly out of pocket.
• 2
  What is the average utility cost for an apartment per month? Studio apartment: ~$100–$170/month (what tenant pays) · 1-bedroom apartment: ~$150–$220/month · 2-bedroom apartment: ~$200–$320/month · Electricity in 1BR: ~$103/month avg · Gas in 1BR: ~$20/month avg (higher in winter states) · Many apartments include water/trash in rent

  Apartment utility costs are substantially lower than houses for two main reasons: smaller square footage means less space to heat and cool, and many apartment buildings include water, sewer, and trash in the monthly rent — reducing what tenants pay directly. According to Apartment List data tracking 2025–2026 averages, the average electricity bill for a one-bedroom apartment is $102.62/month and for a two-bedroom it’s $141.78/month. Gas averages around $20/month for a one-bedroom, though this spikes in winter months in colder states and can hit $80–$120/month in the Northeast and Midwest during January and February. The key question any apartment renter should ask before signing: “Which utilities are included in the rent?” The answer is almost never everything. Most “utilities included” arrangements cover water and trash. Electricity and internet almost always remain tenant-paid. Natural gas coverage varies widely by building and landlord. Getting this in writing before signing a lease prevents a surprise $150–$200 monthly expense that wasn’t in the budget.
• 3
  What are average utilities for a 1-bedroom apartment? Total utilities (tenant-paid): ~$150–$220/month · Electricity: ~$103/month · Gas: ~$20–$80/month (season and location dependent) · Internet: $50–$90/month · Water/trash: often included in rent — confirm before signing

  For a 1-bedroom apartment, the realistic monthly utility budget for what you’ll pay yourself runs $150 to $220 in most of the country, assuming water and trash are handled by the landlord (the most common arrangement). Electricity at roughly $103/month is the biggest tenant-paid cost. Internet typically runs $50–$90/month depending on provider and speed tier — most 1-bedroom apartment renters can get adequate speeds for $55–$65/month with local or regional ISPs. If natural gas is in your name (not uncommon in older buildings where individual meters exist), add $20–$40/month in summer and $60–$120/month in winter months depending on your climate zone. Phone service adds $30–$80/month if a mobile plan is counted. In warmer states like Florida, Texas, and Arizona, there’s often no gas meter at all — heating and cooking are electric, which simplifies budgeting but makes the electricity bill higher in summer due to air conditioning. In cooler states like Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Ohio, gas heat is common and winter months push the total significantly above the annual average.
• 4
  What is the average utility bill for a 3-bedroom house? Total utilities for a 3-bedroom house: ~$400–$600/month · Electricity: $150–$220/month · Natural gas: $80–$180/month (winter) · Water/sewer: $80–$130/month · Internet: $60–$90/month · Trash: $25–$40/month · Total varies widely by state and season

  A 3-bedroom house is the benchmark for “typical American home” utility spending. Electricity for a 1,500–2,200 sq ft house runs approximately $150–$220/month nationally, though summer air conditioning in Texas and Florida can push this to $250–$350/month and winter heating in New England can do the same for gas. Natural gas for heating, hot water, and cooking in a 3-bedroom averages $80–$100/month for the year, but can spike to $180–$250/month during the coldest winter months in the Midwest and Northeast. Water and sewer for a family in a 3-bedroom house averages $70–$130/month. Trash and recycling service is typically $25–$40/month in suburban areas, sometimes included in property taxes in rural areas. Adding standard internet at $60–$80/month brings the complete total to roughly $400–$600/month on an annual average basis. Important: summer and winter peak months routinely run $150–$250 more than the monthly average — budgeting by the annual average and putting the difference aside avoids the shock of a $400 August electricity bill in the South.
• 5
  How much are utilities for a studio apartment? Studio utility costs (tenant-paid): ~$80–$150/month · Electricity: ~$70–$100/month · Gas: often included in building systems or minimal · Internet: $50–$75/month · Water/trash: usually included in rent for studios · Smallest utility bills of any residence type

  Studio apartments have the lowest utility costs of any residence type — the small square footage simply requires less energy to heat, cool, and power. Total tenant-paid utilities in a studio typically run $80–$150/month. Electricity averages $70–$100/month, reflecting a single combined living/sleeping space and basic kitchen appliances. Studios in high-rise or multi-unit buildings frequently have centralized heating and cooling systems where those costs are folded into the rent, leaving electricity as the only major utility bill. Internet at $50–$75/month is often the second-largest utility expense for studio renters. One practical consideration for studio apartments: the square footage savings in utility cost can be partially offset by the inefficiency of running certain appliances at full capacity for one person — running a full dishwasher half-empty every day, for example, or maintaining a full-size refrigerator. Studios in warm climates with electric-only systems (no gas) are among the cheapest utility scenarios in the country; studios in older buildings in cold northeastern cities with individual gas heating are among the more expensive configurations for a small living space.
• 6
  What is the average utility bill for 1 person? Single person in an apartment: ~$150–$220/month total utilities · Single person in a house: ~$300–$450/month · Electricity alone for 1 person: ~$80–$120/month · The biggest driver isn’t number of people — it’s square footage

  The number of occupants is actually one of the smaller variables in utility costs — square footage and climate zone are significantly more impactful. A single person living in a 2,000 sq ft house pays nearly the same to heat and cool it as two people living in the same house. The incremental utility cost of a second person in a household is roughly $20–$40/month in added hot water, lighting, and cooking — not the doubling that intuition might suggest. For a single person in a typical one-bedroom apartment, the realistic monthly utility budget runs $150–$220/month for what they pay directly (electricity + internet, with water/trash included in rent). For a single person in a house, the range expands to $300–$450/month because they’re paying for the full square footage regardless of occupancy. The most significant single-person savings opportunity is internet — a single occupant often doesn’t need the highest-tier speed package. A 100 Mbps connection at $50–$55/month is more than adequate for a single person’s streaming, video calls, and browsing, while the same household might pay $80–$100/month out of habit for gigabit speeds they rarely use.
• 7
  Which states have the highest and lowest utility costs? Highest: Hawaii (~$730/mo) · Connecticut (~$580–$794/mo) · Maryland (~$772/mo) · California (~$540/mo) · Massachusetts (~$520/mo) · Lowest: Idaho (~$335/mo) · Arkansas (~$474/mo) · Utah (~$350/mo) · North Carolina (~$395/mo)

  Where you live matters enormously — utility costs range from $335/month in Idaho to over $730/month in Hawaii, a difference of nearly $400/month for similar households. Hawaii sits at the top because the state relies heavily on imported fuel for electricity generation, creating structurally high costs with limited alternatives. Connecticut, Maryland, and Massachusetts combine cold winters (driving gas and heating costs), aging infrastructure (high maintenance costs), and dense populations with old building stock (poor insulation, inefficient systems). On the low end, Idaho and Utah benefit from abundant hydroelectric power that keeps electricity rates well below the national average. Arkansas’s low costs reflect relatively mild climate (less extreme heating and cooling demand) and access to natural gas infrastructure. The practical implication: when moving between states, utility cost differences can easily run $150–$300/month more or less — a difference that rivals or exceeds the rental price differences people typically focus on when comparing housing costs across regions.
• 8
  What assistance programs exist for people who can’t afford utilities? LIHEAP: federal heating and cooling assistance — up to $1,000/year · LIHEAP crisis assistance: emergency bill payment for shut-off situations · Low Income Home Energy Assistance: applies in all 50 states · Many utilities have own low-income rate programs · SNAP recipients often automatically qualify for LIHEAP

  The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the federal safety net specifically designed for households that can’t afford heating and cooling costs. It provides annual assistance of up to $1,000 per household — some states provide more — and also includes emergency crisis intervention when a household faces shutoff, has already lost service, or faces a life-threatening energy situation. LIHEAP is administered by states and funded federally; income eligibility is generally set at 150% of the federal poverty level (approximately $21,900 for an individual, $29,580 for a couple), though some states extend this to 60% of state median income. Households receiving SNAP, SSI, TANF, or veterans’ pension benefits are typically automatically eligible without a separate income verification. Beyond LIHEAP, most major utility companies operate their own low-income rate programs that permanently reduce your monthly bill if your household income is below a threshold — these programs have names like “Care Discount” at PG&E, “Medical Baseline” programs, or “Budget Billing” plans. The Lifeline program through the FCC reduces phone and internet costs by $9.25–$25/month for qualifying low-income households. Call 211 (dial 2-1-1 from any phone) to reach your local energy assistance referral network and find all programs available in your specific area.

All figures are current U.S. national averages based on EIA electricity data, American Water Works Association water cost data, and aggregated utility provider reporting. Your actual costs will vary by state, season, and usage habits.

Use the buttons below to find local energy assistance programs, internet providers with low-income plans, weatherization programs, and utility company offices near you.