Average Utility Costs in 2026: Complete Breakdown by Type and State
Housing costs are more than rent or mortgage. Utilities add $500-600+ to monthly expenses. Here’s the complete breakdown so you know if you’re paying too much.
Table of Contents
The Big Picture
Average Monthly Utility Costs (2026)
| Utility | Average Cost | % of Total |
|---|
| Electricity | $137 | 27% |
| Natural Gas | $69 | 14% |
| Water & Sewer | $47 | 9% |
| Trash/Recycling | $63 | 12% |
| Internet | $77 | 15% |
| Phone (mobile) | $85 | 17% |
| Streaming/Cable | $59 | 12% |
| Total | $500-600 | 100% |
Annual Impact
| Timeframe | Cost |
|---|
| Monthly | $500-600 |
| Annually | $6,000-7,200 |
| 10 years | $60,000-72,000 |
| 30 years (mortgage life) | $180,000-216,000 |
Utilities are a major lifetime expense. Understanding them matters.
Electricity Costs
National Average
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Average monthly bill | $137 |
| Average kWh used | 886-908 kWh |
| Average rate | 14.12¢/kWh |
| Annual cost | $1,644 |
What Drives Electric Bills
| Factor | Impact |
|---|
| HVAC | 40-50% of bill |
| Water heating | 12-18% |
| Appliances | 15-20% |
| Lighting | 5-10% |
| Electronics | 5-10% |
By Home Size
| Square Feet | Avg kWh/Month | Avg Bill |
|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | 600-700 kWh | $85-100 |
| 1,500 sq ft | 750-900 kWh | $105-130 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 900-1,100 kWh | $130-155 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 1,100-1,300 kWh | $155-185 |
| 3,000+ sq ft | 1,300-1,600 kWh | $185-225 |
By Region
| Region | Avg Monthly Bill | Why |
|---|
| South | $145 | AC usage |
| West | $135 | Mixed climate |
| Midwest | $120 | Moderate temps |
| Northeast | $115 | Less AC, more gas heat |
Natural Gas Costs
National Average
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Average monthly bill | $69 |
| Average annual bill | $828 |
| Primary uses | Heating, water heating, cooking |
Seasonal Variation
| Season | Monthly Cost | Usage |
|---|
| Summer | $15-25 | Water heating, cooking only |
| Winter | $100-200+ | Heating dominates |
| Spring/Fall | $30-50 | Transition periods |
States with Highest Gas Costs
| State | Avg Winter Bill |
|---|
| Alaska | $200-250 |
| Michigan | $150-180 |
| New York | $140-170 |
| Illinois | $130-160 |
| Pennsylvania | $120-150 |
States with Lowest Gas Costs
| State | Avg Winter Bill |
|---|
| Florida | $20-30 |
| Hawaii | $15-25 |
| Texas | $40-60 |
| Arizona | $35-55 |
Water and Sewer Costs
National Average
| Utility | Avg Monthly | Avg Annual |
|---|
| Water | $40-47 | $480-564 |
| Sewer | $35-45 | $420-540 |
| Combined | $75-92 | $900-1,104 |
What Affects Water Bills
| Factor | Impact |
|---|
| Household size | +$10-15 per person |
| Lawn irrigation | +$30-100/month |
| Pool | +$20-50/month |
| Leaks | +$10-100+/month |
| Location | 3x variation by city |
Highest Water Cost States
| State | Avg Monthly |
|---|
| West Virginia | $91 |
| California | $77 |
| Oregon | $76 |
| Washington | $75 |
Lowest Water Cost States
| State | Avg Monthly |
|---|
| Wisconsin | $18 |
| Vermont | $25 |
| Maine | $27 |
| North Carolina | $28 |
Internet and Phone
Internet
| Speed | Avg Monthly |
|---|
| Basic (25-50 Mbps) | $45-55 |
| Standard (100-200 Mbps) | $60-75 |
| Fast (300-500 Mbps) | $75-90 |
| Gigabit | $80-100 |
Hidden costs:
- Router rental: $10-15/month
- Taxes and fees: $5-10/month
- Installation: $0-100 (often waived with promo)
Mobile Phone
| Type | Avg Monthly |
|---|
| Single line (major carrier) | $70-90 |
| Single line (budget carrier) | $25-45 |
| Family plan (4 lines) | $120-180 |
| Family plan (budget) | $80-120 |
Costs by State
Highest Utility Cost States
| Rank | State | Monthly Total | Why |
|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $730 | Island energy costs |
| 2 | Connecticut | $635 | High electricity, heating |
| 3 | Alaska | $620 | Remote, harsh climate |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $595 | High electricity, heating |
| 5 | New York | $585 | High electricity, taxes |
Lowest Utility Cost States
| Rank | State | Monthly Total | Why |
|---|
| 1 | Idaho | $345 | Low electricity, hydro power |
| 2 | Utah | $355 | Moderate climate, low rates |
| 3 | Montana | $365 | Low population, low rates |
| 4 | Washington | $370 | Cheap hydroelectric |
| 5 | Oregon | $380 | Hydro power, mild climate |
Complete State Ranking
| State | Electric | Gas | Water | Total |
|---|
| Alabama | $156 | $60 | $38 | $444 |
| Alaska | $135 | $150 | $55 | $620 |
| Arizona | $132 | $40 | $45 | $407 |
| Arkansas | $126 | $55 | $32 | $393 |
| California | $158 | $45 | $77 | $520 |
| Colorado | $95 | $70 | $35 | $390 |
| Connecticut | $175 | $95 | $55 | $635 |
| Delaware | $125 | $70 | $42 | $417 |
| Florida | $145 | $25 | $40 | $395 |
| Georgia | $142 | $50 | $38 | $408 |
| Hawaii | $205 | $35 | $65 | $730 |
| Idaho | $90 | $55 | $30 | $345 |
| Illinois | $110 | $85 | $42 | $417 |
| Indiana | $118 | $70 | $38 | $396 |
| Iowa | $115 | $75 | $35 | $395 |
| Kansas | $125 | $65 | $38 | $398 |
| Kentucky | $130 | $60 | $35 | $395 |
| Louisiana | $140 | $50 | $35 | $395 |
| Maine | $120 | $95 | $40 | $435 |
| Maryland | $140 | $75 | $50 | $435 |
| Massachusetts | $165 | $100 | $55 | $595 |
| Michigan | $118 | $110 | $42 | $450 |
| Minnesota | $108 | $95 | $35 | $418 |
| Mississippi | $150 | $55 | $32 | $417 |
| Missouri | $125 | $65 | $38 | $398 |
| Montana | $100 | $75 | $32 | $365 |
| Nebraska | $115 | $70 | $35 | $390 |
| Nevada | $138 | $40 | $42 | $400 |
| New Hampshire | $145 | $100 | $45 | $467 |
| New Jersey | $115 | $90 | $52 | $424 |
| New Mexico | $100 | $50 | $35 | $365 |
| New York | $145 | $95 | $58 | $585 |
| North Carolina | $130 | $55 | $28 | $383 |
| North Dakota | $110 | $80 | $32 | $392 |
| Ohio | $115 | $80 | $40 | $410 |
| Oklahoma | $135 | $55 | $35 | $395 |
| Oregon | $105 | $50 | $76 | $380 |
| Pennsylvania | $120 | $85 | $45 | $420 |
| Rhode Island | $155 | $90 | $50 | $475 |
| South Carolina | $152 | $55 | $35 | $412 |
| South Dakota | $115 | $75 | $32 | $392 |
| Tennessee | $138 | $55 | $35 | $398 |
| Texas | $142 | $45 | $42 | $399 |
| Utah | $90 | $55 | $30 | $355 |
| Vermont | $125 | $100 | $25 | $425 |
| Virginia | $135 | $65 | $42 | $412 |
| Washington | $100 | $45 | $75 | $370 |
| West Virginia | $125 | $75 | $91 | $516 |
| Wisconsin | $108 | $90 | $18 | $386 |
| Wyoming | $95 | $70 | $35 | $370 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I budget for utilities?
Rule of thumb: $0.50-1.00 per square foot per month.
| Home Size | Budget Range |
|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $500-1,000/month |
| 2,000 sq ft | $1,000-2,000/month |
| 3,000 sq ft | $1,500-3,000/month |
Are utilities included in rent?
Sometimes. If included:
- Verify what’s included
- Expect higher rent (landlord isn’t losing money)
- You lose control over usage
What if my utilities are much higher than average?
Check for:
- Rate plan (are you on default?)
- Energy leaks (insulation, windows)
- Old appliances
- Phantom loads
- Incorrect meter readings
Do utilities affect home value?
Yes. High utility costs reduce affordability. In areas with high utilities:
- Buyers have less budget for mortgage
- Homes may sit longer on market
- Energy-efficient homes command premium
Quick Reference
National averages (2026):
| Utility | Monthly | Annual |
|---|
| Electricity | $137 | $1,644 |
| Natural gas | $69 | $828 |
| Water/sewer | $92 | $1,104 |
| Internet | $77 | $924 |
| Phone | $85 | $1,020 |
| Total | $460 | $5,520 |
Plus trash, streaming, etc. = $500-600/month total
Knowing the averages helps you benchmark your costs. If you’re significantly above average for your state and home size, it’s time to investigate why.
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