Knowing how much you'll be spending on utilities each month is essential when budgeting for your new home. Utility costs can vary considerably depending on your location, the size of your home, and your lifestyle. In this article, we'll break down the average cost of utilities in the United States, provide tips on how to save money on your utility bills, and discuss some factors that affect your utility usage.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average monthly utility bill for a residential customer in the United States was $119.66 in 2020. This includes electricity, natural gas, water, and sewer service. However, utility costs can vary widely depending on where you live. For example, the average monthly utility bill in Hawaii is $213.26, while the average monthly utility bill in North Dakota is just $80.58.
how much are utilities per month
Costs vary depending on location, home size, and lifestyle.
- Average US monthly bill: $119.66
- Hawaii: $213.26
- North Dakota: $80.58
- Electricity: $61.95
- Natural gas: $40.01
- Water: $14.70
- Sewer: $12.94
- Save money: Use energy-efficient appliances, turn off lights, unplug electronics.
Knowing local rates and being mindful of usage can help you budget effectively.
Average US monthly bill: $119.66
The average monthly utility bill for a residential customer in the United States is $119.66. This includes electricity, natural gas, water, and sewer service. However, it's important to note that this is just an average, and your actual utility costs may be higher or lower depending on a number of factors, such as your location, the size of your home, and your lifestyle.
For example, if you live in a region with a cold climate, you're likely to have higher heating costs during the winter months. Similarly, if you have a large home, you'll likely use more electricity and water than someone who lives in a smaller home. And if you have a lot of energy-intensive appliances, such as a pool or a hot tub, your utility bills will also be higher.
Here's a breakdown of the average monthly utility costs in the United States, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration:
- Electricity: $61.95
- Natural gas: $40.01
- Water: $14.70
- Sewer: $12.94
It's important to be aware of your average utility costs so that you can budget accordingly. You can also take steps to reduce your utility usage and save money on your monthly bills. For example, you can:
- Use energy-efficient appliances.
- Turn off lights when you leave a room.
- Unplug electronics when you're not using them.
- Take shorter showers.
- Fix leaky faucets.
Hawaii: $213.26
Hawaii has the highest average monthly utility bill in the United States, at $213.26. There are a number of factors that contribute to Hawaii's high utility costs, including:
- Remote location: Hawaii is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, which makes it difficult and expensive to import energy.
- Limited natural resources: Hawaii has limited natural resources, such as coal and natural gas, which means that it must rely on imported oil to generate electricity.
- High demand for electricity: Hawaii's warm climate and growing population mean that there is a high demand for electricity.
As a result of these factors, Hawaii has some of the highest electricity rates in the United States. The average electricity rate in Hawaii is 35.3 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is more than double the national average. Hawaii also has high rates for natural gas and water.
If you're planning to move to Hawaii, it's important to be aware of the high utility costs. You can take steps to reduce your utility usage and save money on your monthly bills, such as:
- Choosing a home that is energy-efficient.
- Using energy-efficient appliances.
- Turning off lights when you leave a room.
- Unplugging electronics when you're not using them.
- Taking shorter showers.
- Fixing leaky faucets.
By following these tips, you can reduce your utility usage and save money on your monthly bills, even in Hawaii.
Here are some additional tips for saving money on your utility bills in Hawaii:
- Use a ceiling fan instead of air conditioning. Ceiling fans can help to circulate air and keep you cool without using as much electricity.
- Install a solar water heater. Solar water heaters can help you to save money on your water heating costs.
- Get a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats can help you to save money on your heating and cooling costs by automatically adjusting the temperature when you're away from home.
- Shop around for the best utility rates. There are a number of different utility companies in Hawaii, so it's worth shopping around to find the best rates.
North Dakota: $80.58
North Dakota has the lowest average monthly utility bill in the United States, at $80.58. There are a number of factors that contribute to North Dakota's low utility costs, including:
- Abundant natural resources: North Dakota is a major producer of coal and natural gas, which are used to generate electricity.
- Low demand for electricity: North Dakota has a relatively small population and a mild climate, which means that there is a low demand for electricity.
- Energy-efficient homes: North Dakota has a number of energy-efficient homes, which helps to reduce utility costs.
As a result of these factors, North Dakota has some of the lowest electricity rates in the United States. The average electricity rate in North Dakota is 7.9 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is less than half the national average. North Dakota also has low rates for natural gas and water.
If you're planning to move to North Dakota, you can expect to pay some of the lowest utility bills in the country. Here are some tips for saving even more money on your utility bills:
- Choose a home that is energy-efficient.
- Use energy-efficient appliances.
- Turn off lights when you leave a room.
- Unplug electronics when you're not using them.
- Take shorter showers.
- Fix leaky faucets.
Electricity: $61.95
Electricity is the largest component of the average monthly utility bill in the United States, accounting for $61.95. There are a number of factors that affect your electricity usage, including:
- The size of your home: Larger homes typically use more electricity than smaller homes.
- The number of people in your household: Households with more people typically use more electricity than households with fewer people.
- The climate where you live: Homes in hot climates typically use more electricity for air conditioning, while homes in cold climates typically use more electricity for heating.
- Your lifestyle: People who spend a lot of time at home typically use more electricity than people who are away from home for long periods of time.
There are a number of things you can do to reduce your electricity usage and save money on your monthly bills, such as:
- Use energy-efficient appliances. Energy-efficient appliances use less electricity to do the same job as conventional appliances.
- Turn off lights when you leave a room. This may seem like a small thing, but it can add up to significant savings over time.
- Unplug electronics when you're not using them. Even when electronics are turned off, they can still draw power if they're plugged in.
- Use a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats can help you to save money on your heating and cooling costs by automatically adjusting the temperature when you're away from home.
- Seal air leaks around your doors and windows. This will help to keep warm air in during the winter and cool air in during the summer, which can reduce your heating and cooling costs.
By following these tips, you can reduce your electricity usage and save money on your monthly bills.
Here are some additional tips for saving money on your electricity bill:
- Shop around for the best electricity rates. There are a number of different electricity providers in most areas, so it's worth shopping around to find the best rates.
- Enroll in a budget billing program. Budget billing programs allow you to pay a fixed amount for your electricity each month, which can help you to avoid large spikes in your bill.
- Get a home energy audit. A home energy audit can help you to identify areas where you can improve your home's energy efficiency.
Natural gas: $40.01
Natural gas is the second largest component of the average monthly utility bill in the United States, accounting for $40.01. Natural gas is used to heat homes and water, and it is also used to generate electricity. There are a number of factors that affect your natural gas usage, including:
- The size of your home: Larger homes typically use more natural gas than smaller homes.
- The number of people in your household: Households with more people typically use more natural gas than households with fewer people.
- The climate where you live: Homes in cold climates typically use more natural gas for heating than homes in warm climates.
- The type of heating system you have: Homes with natural gas furnaces typically use more natural gas than homes with electric furnaces.
- Your lifestyle: People who spend a lot of time at home typically use more natural gas than people who are away from home for long periods of time.
There are a number of things you can do to reduce your natural gas usage and save money on your monthly bills, such as:
- Use a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats can help you to save money on your heating and cooling costs by automatically adjusting the temperature when you're away from home.
- Seal air leaks around your doors and windows. This will help to keep warm air in during the winter and cool air in during the summer, which can reduce your heating and cooling costs.
- Get a furnace tune-up. A furnace tune-up can help to improve the efficiency of your furnace and reduce your natural gas usage.
- Use a clothesline to dry your clothes instead of a dryer. Dryers use a lot of natural gas, so using a clothesline to dry your clothes can help you to save money.
- Take shorter showers. Showers use a lot of hot water, which is heated by natural gas. Taking shorter showers can help you to save money.
By following these tips, you can reduce your natural gas usage and save money on your monthly bills.
Here are some additional tips for saving money on your natural gas bill:
- Shop around for the best natural gas rates. There are a number of different natural gas providers in most areas, so it's worth shopping around to find the best rates.
- Enroll in a budget billing program. Budget billing programs allow you to pay a fixed amount for your natural gas each month, which can help you to avoid large spikes in your bill.
- Get a home energy audit. A home energy audit can help you to identify areas where you can improve your home's energy efficiency.
Water: $14.70
Water is the third largest component of the average monthly utility bill in the United States, accounting for $14.70. Water is used for a variety of purposes in the home, including drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing clothes and dishes. There are a number of factors that affect your water usage, including:
- The size of your household: Larger households typically use more water than smaller households.
- The number of bathrooms in your home: Homes with more bathrooms typically use more water than homes with fewer bathrooms.
- The type of appliances you have: Homes with water-efficient appliances, such as low-flow toilets and washing machines, typically use less water than homes with older, less efficient appliances.
- Your lifestyle: People who spend a lot of time at home typically use more water than people who are away from home for long periods of time.
There are a number of things you can do to reduce your water usage and save money on your monthly bills, such as:
- Fix leaky faucets. Even a small leak can waste a lot of water over time.
- Take shorter showers. Showers account for a significant portion of household water usage. Taking shorter showers can help you to save money.
- Wash your clothes in cold water. Washing clothes in cold water uses less energy and water than washing clothes in hot water.
- Use a dishwasher instead of hand-washing dishes. Dishwashers use less water than hand-washing dishes, especially if you use a water-efficient dishwasher.
- Water your lawn less often. Lawns only need to be watered once or twice a week, depending on the weather. Watering your lawn less often can help you to save water.
By following these tips, you can reduce your water usage and save money on your monthly bills.
Here are some additional tips for saving money on your water bill:
- Shop around for the best water rates. There are a number of different water providers in most areas, so it's worth shopping around to find the best rates.
- Enroll in a budget billing program. Budget billing programs allow you to pay a fixed amount for your water each month, which can help you to avoid large spikes in your bill.
- Get a home water audit. A home water audit can help you to identify areas where you can improve your home's water efficiency.
Sewer: $12.94
Sewer service is the fourth largest component of the average monthly utility bill in the United States, accounting for $12.94. Sewer service is the process of removing wastewater from homes and businesses and treating it so that it can be safely released back into the environment. There are a number of factors that affect your sewer usage, including:
- The size of your household: Larger households typically produce more wastewater than smaller households.
- The number of bathrooms in your home: Homes with more bathrooms typically produce more wastewater than homes with fewer bathrooms.
- The type of appliances you have: Homes with water-efficient appliances, such as low-flow toilets and washing machines, typically produce less wastewater than homes with older, less efficient appliances.
- Your lifestyle: People who spend a lot of time at home typically produce more wastewater than people who are away from home for long periods of time.
There are a number of things you can do to reduce your sewer usage and save money on your monthly bills, such as:
- Fix leaky faucets. Even a small leak can waste a lot of water, which can lead to higher sewer bills.
- Take shorter showers. Showers account for a significant portion of household water usage, which can lead to higher sewer bills.
- Wash your clothes in cold water. Washing clothes in cold water uses less energy and water than washing clothes in hot water, which can lead to lower sewer bills.
- Use a dishwasher instead of hand-washing dishes. Dishwashers use less water than hand-washing dishes, especially if you use a water-efficient dishwasher, which can lead to lower sewer bills.
- Water your lawn less often. Lawns only need to be watered once or twice a week, depending on the weather. Watering your lawn less often can help you to save water and money on your sewer bill.
By following these tips, you can reduce your sewer usage and save money on your monthly bills.
Here are some additional tips for saving money on your sewer bill:
- Shop around for the best sewer rates. There are a number of different sewer providers in most areas, so it's worth shopping around to find the best rates.
- Enroll in a budget billing program. Budget billing programs allow you to pay a fixed amount for your sewer service each month, which can help you to avoid large spikes in your bill.
- Get a home sewer audit. A home sewer audit can help you to identify areas where you can improve your home's sewer efficiency.
Save money: Use energy-efficient appliances, turn off lights, unplug electronics.
There are a number of things you can do to save money on your utility bills, including using energy-efficient appliances, turning off lights when you leave a room, and unplugging electronics when you're not using them.
- Use energy-efficient appliances. Energy-efficient appliances use less energy to do the same job as conventional appliances. This can save you money on your electricity and natural gas bills.
- Turn off lights when you leave a room. This may seem like a small thing, but it can add up to significant savings over time. When you leave a room, turn off the lights behind you.
- Unplug electronics when you're not using them. Even when electronics are turned off, they can still draw power if they're plugged in. Unplug electronics when you're not using them to save money on your electricity bill.
Here are some additional tips for saving money on your utility bills:
- Use a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats can help you to save money on your heating and cooling costs by automatically adjusting the temperature when you're away from home.
- Seal air leaks around your doors and windows. This will help to keep warm air in during the winter and cool air in during the summer, which can reduce your heating and cooling costs.
- Take shorter showers. Showers use a lot of hot water, which is heated by electricity or natural gas. Taking shorter showers can help you to save money on your water and energy bills.
- Fix leaky faucets. Even a small leak can waste a lot of water, which can lead to higher water and sewer bills.
- Shop around for the best utility rates. There are a number of different utility providers in most areas, so it's worth shopping around to find the best rates.
By following these tips, you can reduce your utility usage and save money on your monthly bills.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about utility costs and how to save money on your monthly bills:
Question 1: What is the average monthly utility bill in the United States?
Answer: The average monthly utility bill in the United States is $119.66. This includes electricity, natural gas, water, and sewer service.
Question 2: What are some factors that affect my utility usage?
Answer: There are a number of factors that can affect your utility usage, including the size of your home, the number of people in your household, the climate where you live, and your lifestyle.
Question 3: What are some things I can do to reduce my utility usage?
Answer: There are a number of things you can do to reduce your utility usage, such as using energy-efficient appliances, turning off lights when you leave a room, unplugging electronics when you're not using them, taking shorter showers, and fixing leaky faucets.
Question 4: How can I save money on my utility bills?
Answer: There are a number of ways to save money on your utility bills, such as shopping around for the best utility rates, enrolling in a budget billing program, and getting a home energy audit.
Question 5: What is the best way to budget for my utility bills?
Answer: The best way to budget for your utility bills is to track your usage and costs over time. Once you know how much you're spending on utilities each month, you can create a budget that works for you.
Question 6: What are some government programs that can help me save money on my utility bills?
Answer: There are a number of government programs that can help you save money on your utility bills, such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).
Question 7: Where can I find more information about saving money on my utility bills?
Answer: There are a number of resources available to help you save money on your utility bills, such as the U.S. Department of Energy website and the National Energy Assistance Program website.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ:
By following these tips, you can reduce your utility usage and save money on your monthly bills. For more information, please visit the resources listed above.
In addition to the tips listed above, here are some additional tips for saving money on your utility bills:
Tips
Here are some additional tips for saving money on your monthly utility bills:
Tip 1: Get a home energy audit.
A home energy audit can help you to identify areas where you can improve your home's energy efficiency. This can lead to lower utility bills and a more comfortable home.
Tip 2: Seal air leaks around your doors and windows.
Air leaks around your doors and windows can let in cold air in the winter and warm air in the summer, which can lead to higher heating and cooling costs. Seal air leaks with caulk or weatherstripping to save money on your utility bills.
Tip 3: Use a programmable thermostat.
A programmable thermostat can help you to save money on your heating and cooling costs by automatically adjusting the temperature when you're away from home. You can also use a programmable thermostat to set different temperatures for different times of the day.
Tip 4: Take shorter showers.
Showers account for a significant portion of household water usage. Taking shorter showers can help you to save money on your water and energy bills. You can also save money by taking baths instead of showers.
Closing Paragraph for Tips:
By following these tips, you can reduce your utility usage and save money on your monthly bills. For more information, please visit the resources listed in the FAQ section above.
By following the tips and advice in this article, you can reduce your utility usage and save money on your monthly bills. With a little effort, you can make a big difference in your energy consumption and your wallet.
Conclusion
In this article, we've discussed the average cost of utilities in the United States, as well as some of the factors that affect your utility usage and some tips for saving money on your monthly bills.
The average monthly utility bill in the United States is $119.66. However, your actual utility costs may be higher or lower depending on a number of factors, such as the size of your home, the number of people in your household, the climate where you live, and your lifestyle.
There are a number of things you can do to reduce your utility usage and save money on your monthly bills, such as:
- Using energy-efficient appliances
- Turning off lights when you leave a room
- Unplugging electronics when you're not using them
- Taking shorter showers
- Fixing leaky faucets
- Getting a home energy audit
- Sealing air leaks around your doors and windows
- Using a programmable thermostat
By following these tips, you can reduce your utility usage and save money on your monthly bills. With a little effort, you can make a big difference in your energy consumption and your wallet.
Closing Message:
Saving money on your utility bills is not only good for your wallet, it's also good for the environment. By reducing your energy consumption, you can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a more sustainable future.