When hunting for a new apartment, you probably have your monthly budget in mind of what you can spend on rent. But there’s more to your monthly apartment costs than what you write on your rent check.
Utility bills can add up in a significant way, and unless you are renting an
apartment with utilities included, you should estimate your utility costs and set your monthly budget appropriately so that you don’t get in over your head.
Keep in mind that your utility costs will vary based on a range of factors, such as how many gadgets you have, the weather, your building’s insulation, your personal habits, and more. However, baseline costs can help you begin making your personal spending predictions. Here are some averages to help you build your monthly budget.
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Utility Costs by Fuel Source
Electricity is a standard utility for keeping the lights on and the phone charged. It’s one of the essentials. And so, this should be the first additional rental cost that you consider. The good news is that electricity costs — though on the rise — are still relatively low in most areas. Within the U.S., the
average monthly electricity bill for apartments is $70.
But not everything in your apartment may be powered by electricity. The average monthly natural gas bill is $50, and the average monthly fuel oil bill is $81. So when hunting for that perfect new apartment, consider the fuel sources that will supply other apartment utilities like heat.
Apartment Size Affects Your Utility Bill
The general rule of thumb is that the larger your apartment is, the more utilities you will use. Whether it’s more square footage to heat or more residents using power, you’ll typically have a higher utility bill if you rent a bigger apartment.
Average Electric Bill Per Bedroom
- Studio, 1 resident: $55/mo
- One-bedroom, 1 resident: $60/mo
- One bedroom, 2 residents: $66/mo
- Two-bedroom, 2 residents: $76/mo
- Three-bedroom, 2 residents: $87/mo
- Three-bedroom, 3 residents: $93/mo
Average Gas Bill Per Bedroom
- Studio, 1 resident: $45/mo
- One-bedroom, 1 resident: $47/mo
- One bedroom, 2 residents: $51/mo
- Two-bedroom, 2 residents: $56/mo
- Three-bedroom, 2 residents: $60/mo
- Three-bedroom, 3 residents: $65/mo
What Utility Types Are Common in Apartments?
Are you wondering how the utility types that you’re encountering in your apartment search are stacking up to the other apartments out there? We’ve compiled the information on what fuel sources are most common for each end use function.
For
heat, 46% of U.S. apartments use electricity, 40% use natural gas, 4% use fuel oil, and 10% use another type of fuel source.
For
hot water, electricity also takes the largest share. Water heaters are fueled by electricity in 49% of U.S. apartments, 47% use natural gas, 2% use fuel oil, and 3% use another fuel source.
For
cooking, 64% of apartments use an electric oven/stove, 31% use natural gas, and 5% use another fuel source.
Air conditioners in apartments, whether wall units or central air, are mostly fueled by electricity. Only 16% of apartments use a fuel source other than electricity or do not report having air conditioning.
Outdoor grills that use propane are only found in 9% of apartments. The other 91% do not report outdoor grills or use another fuel source.
Geographical Impact on Utility Costs
The average utility bill in the U.S. is $1,290, but the geographic region that you live has a significant impact on how much you’ll spend on your utilities. The cost breakouts below estimate end-use utility costs by region.
- Northeast// Total: $1,813
- Heat: $780
- Water heating: $259
- Air Conditioning: $79
- Refrigerator: $168
- Other: $562
- South// Total: $1,203
- Heat: $279
- Water heating: $221
- Air Conditioning: $193
- Refrigerator: $106
- Other: $428
- Midwest// Total: $1,236
- Heat: $501
- Water heating: $182
- Air Conditioning: $47
- Refrigerator: $108
- Other: $423
- West// Total: $838
- Heat: $222
- Water heating: $158
- Air Conditioning: $113
- Refrigerator: $95
- Other: $353
State by State Utility Costs
Yet even within the geographic regions, average
utility costs by state have a wide variety. From the highest utility bills to the lowest, see how your state stacks up:
1. Connecticut
2. Alaska
3. Rhode Island
4. Massachusetts
5. Wyoming
6. Georgia
7. Maine
8. Mississippi
9. New Hampshire
10. Vermont
11. Alabama
12. Delaware
13. Maryland
14. North Dakota
15. Indiana
16. West Virginia
17. Nevada
18. Missouri
19. Oklahoma
20. Pennsylvania
21. New York
22. Texas
23. New Jersey
24. South Carolina
25. Tennessee
26. Utah
27. North Carolina
28. Kansas
29. Ohio
30. Virginia
31. Minnesota
32. Kentucky
33. Michigan
34. Idaho
35. Florida
36. Arkansas
37. Hawaii
38. Montana
39. South Dakota
40. Wisconsin
41. Louisiana
42. California
43. Arizona
44. New Mexico
45. Nebraska
46. Iowa
47. Illinois
48. Oregon
49. Colorado
50. Washington
51. District of Columbia
Want more information about apartment utilities? Check out this
Ultimate Checklist For Setting Up Utilities in Your Apartment and follow the
ForRent.com blog for more tips on apartment living.
