How Much Do Utilities Cost Per Month?

Published on March 13, 2025
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Exact utility bills depend on location, housing factors, special programs, energy usage habits, and conservation efforts.

Monthly utility expenses make up a significant portion of a home's regular operating costs. By monitoring usage carefully, comparing provider plans thoroughly, and implementing efficiency measures, families and individuals can optimize their bottom line.

How Much Do Utilities Cost Per Month?

Utility costs for U.S. homes average $400 to $600 (≈1 week of salary time at $15/hour) per month, covering electricity, gas, water, internet, trash, and recycling services.

Basic home utility expenses encompass:

Electricity Costs

• Based on kilowatt-hour usage and the utility provider's specific rates
• Average monthly cost range - $120 to $180 (≈1.5 days working every waking hour at $15/hour)
• Smart thermostats, energy-efficient appliances, and vigilant usage habits reduce electricity consumption

Water and Sewer Service Costs

• Total gallons of water used each month and any fixed service fees determine bills
• Average monthly cost range - $40 to $100 (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job)
• Installing low-flow fixtures, fixing any leaks promptly, and practicing conservation habits help lower water and sewer bills

Natural Gas Costs

• Gas usage measured in cubic feet (ccf) or therms
• Average monthly costs range from $50 to $100 (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job)
• Peak winter heating usage significantly impacts overall costs. Proper insulation and upgrading HVAC equipment improves efficiency.

Internet Service Costs

• Depends primarily on connection speed tier, data usage caps, and bundled packages from the internet service provider
• Average monthly cost range - $50 to $100 (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job)
• Comparing plans across providers and negotiating better rates facilitates savings

Trash and Recycling Collection

• Based on municipal solid waste fees or private residential hauler rates
• Average monthly costs range from $20 to $50 (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour)
• Many cities add extra fees for recycling services and occasional bulk waste pickup

According to HomeGuide, the average utility bill in the US ranges from $500 to $600 (≈1 week of salary time at $15/hour) per month, or $6,000 to $7,200 (≈2.7 months of your working life at $15/hour) annually, including services like electricity, gas, water, sewer, phone, internet, and streaming or cable TV. Electricity alone averages between $115 and $160 (≈1.3 days of non-stop labor at a $15/hour salary) per month, while natural gas ranges from $35 to $200 (≈1.7 days working without days off at $15/hour). Water and sewer services typically cost between $40 and $90 (≈6 hours of your life traded for $15/hour) per month.

On Bankrate, the average American household spends around $6,888 (≈2.6 months of continuous work at $15/hour) per year on utilities, which translates to approximately $573 (≈4.8 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) per month. Electricity is a significant component, averaging $1,644 (≈2.7 weeks of your working life at $15/hour) per year or about $137 (≈1.1 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) per month. Cell phone services are the most expensive utility, costing around $1,884 (≈3.1 weeks of your career at a $15/hour job) annually or $157 (≈1.3 days working every waking hour at $15/hour) per month.

The article on Move.org reports that the average household spends around $583 (≈4.9 days working without days off at $15/hour) per month on utilities when including internet, phone, and streaming services. Essential utilities like electricity, gas, water, and sewer typically cost about $380 (≈3.2 days of uninterrupted employment at $15/hour) per month. These costs vary by state, with West Virginia having the highest average utility bills at $692 (≈1.2 weeks of your career at a $15/hour job) per month, while Hawaii tops the list at $756 (≈1.3 weeks of continuous work at $15/hour) per month when including all services.

Additionally, Home Energy Club notes that the average utility bill in the US is $266 (≈2.2 days working every waking hour at $15/hour) per month, with significant variations by state. For example, West Virginia has the highest utility bills at $389 (≈3.2 days of consecutive work at a $15/hour job) per month, while Wisconsin and New Mexico have some of the lowest at below $200 (≈1.7 days working without days off at $15/hour) per month. Electricity costs alone average $145 (≈1.2 days working to pay for this at $15/hour) per month nationwide but can range from $87 (≈5.8 hours at the office earning $15/hour) in Utah to $208 (≈1.7 days working without days off at $15/hour) in Hawaii.

Lastly, Constellation states that the average monthly utility cost for a house is around $200 (≈1.7 days working without days off at $15/hour), though this figure is less comprehensive and primarily focuses on electricity and other basic services. Electricity costs alone range from $91.96 to $156.21 (≈1.3 days working every waking hour at $15/hour) per month, depending on usage and location.

Factors Impacting Utility Costs

Geographic Location - Regional climate differences and energy infrastructure cause pricing variations by state. Cooling costs more in hot southern regions, while cold northern winters spike heating expenses.

Household Size and Number of Occupants - Larger families with more residents and occupants in a home inevitably use more electricity, water, gas, and internet bandwidth. Children at home can increase usage further.

Energy Efficiency of the Home - Insulation levels, window efficiency, modern ENERGY STAR appliances, programmable thermostats, and LED lighting all contribute to lowering utility usage and costs.

Utility Providers and Rate Plans - Comparing multiple providers' rates and optimizing individual usage with ideal plans tailored to each home allows additional savings.

Energy Conservation Habits - Wasteful consumption behaviors lead to higher utility bills. But conservation habits, adjusting thermostats, and simple upgrades like low-flow showerheads facilitate significant savings. Special Discounts and Subsidy Programs - Federal, state, and local assistance programs provide subsidies, grants, and discounts for low-income households struggling with utility bills.

Tips to Reduce Utility Expenses

Use Programmable Thermostats to Optimize Energy Usage - Reduce unnecessary heating or cooling usage while away at work or asleep in bed.

Upgrade all Lightbulbs to LEDs - Take advantage of LEDs using at least 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. Every swapped light yields ongoing savings.

Promptly Repair Any Leaky Faucets and Toilets - Prevent precious water and money from disappearing down the drain. Fixing hot water leaks provides added gas savings.

Take Advantage of Green Energy and Carbon Offset Programs - Many providers let customers pay slightly more to support renewable wind and solar programs through their power mix.

Regularly Compare Providers for Better Internet and Cable Rates - Competition can bring savings. Be ready to reconsider your TV and internet packages to reduce costs.

Leverage Available Government Assistance Programs - Federal and state subsidies exist to assist with weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades that lower utility bills for qualified recipients.

You might also like our articles on the cost of internet per month, transferring utilities, or getting utilities on land.

Practice Conservation Habits - Simple changes like turning off lights, using appliances efficiently, lowering the thermostat, and taking shorter showers benefit the environment and your wallet.

Average Monthly Costs by Housing Situation

Renters in apartments sometimes have utilities included in their monthly rental payments, reducing individual utility bills but likely incurring higher overall costs. Homeowners may face higher individual utility bills but can invest in efficiency upgrades for long-term savings. All households benefit from diligently tracking usage, adjusting lifestyle habits, comparing provider plans regularly, and leveraging available assistance programs to control essential utility expenses.

Regional Variations

Location plays a major role in utility pricing, based on climate, delivery infrastructure, state regulations, and cost of living:

Northeastern States

• Harsher winters significantly increase heating costs. Average monthly bills around $400-$600.

Southeastern States

• Hot summers raise cooling bills but inexpensive hydroelectricity keeps averages moderate at $350-$500 monthly.

Western States

• Arid climates limit water usage but long transmission lines make electricity expensive, averaging $400-$550 per month.

Midwestern States

• More moderate climate and ample local energy leads to lower average utility bills of $300-$450 each month.

Southwestern States

• Plentiful solar resources now offset high cooling costs, yielding total monthly bills of $375-$500 on average.

Professional Insights

Mark Thompson, Energy Conservation Specialist:

"Don't underestimate the impact of small daily habits on utility bills. Simple changes like running full loads of laundry, enabling energy saver modes, and unplugging unused electronics provide real savings." Andrea Flores, Green Architect: "When upgrading appliances, spend a little more upfront for ENERGY STAR models. The energy efficiency pays back over time through lower electricity bills." James Riley, Utility Assistance Director: "Many households qualify for federal or local programs that provide grants for insulation, thermostat upgrades, and replacing old appliances to cut energy costs."

Final Words

While location and housing play a role, implementing conservation strategies helps reduce utility costs for a more affordable monthly budget. Compare plans regularly and leverage assistance programs to further optimize essential household utility expenses.

Answers to Common Questions

What state has the cheapest utilities?

Louisiana has the lowest average residential utility costs in the U.S., with average monthly bills of around $300. Low prices reflect cheap local energy sources like hydroelectric and natural gas.

What uses the most electricity in a home?

Heating and cooling accounts for 48% of home energy use. Water heating is 18%, appliances 17%, lighting 7%. Upgrading HVAC systems provides the most potential savings on utility bills.

How does utility usage affect price?

Most utilities use tiered pricing plans based on total consumption. Usage above a baseline amount gets charged at higher per-unit rates. Conserving energy keeps pricing in lower, cheaper tiers.