Average cost of utilities per month apartment

When you’re budgeting for apartment living, a utilities calculator is a valuable tool to have on hand. Some landlords include utilities in the monthly rent, but most require renters to pay these costs on their own, as they’re the ones who use the services being billed. Utilities can eat into your monthly budget, so plan ahead by understanding what you might end up paying every month for these essentials. Here’s what to know when creating your own utilities calculator.

Average monthly costs for your utilities calculator

Before you dive into the details of your utility calculator, it’s important to understand a few basic things about your average cost of living. If you’re living on your own for the first time, you may have no idea what utilities will cost you. On average, monthly utilities cost $370.16 in the United States. However, there are many factors that impact this.

The size of your residence factors into the cost of utilities, as do your habits and preferences. The average cost of utilities for a 1-bedroom apartment should run around $100 to $200 per month, while someone living in a larger single-family home could expect to spend $400 or more per month.

A generic utilities calculator is difficult to use because it can’t factor in all aspects of your situation, like location, apartment size, usage, weather, and more. A user-driven site like Numbeo can help you determine the cost of utilities in your area based on what others in that city are reporting they pay.

When looking at the average utilities for a 1-bedroom apartment, it’s helpful to look at your location and apartment size as well, as any utility cost calculator will need to factor these in. The cost of utilities varies by state, so if you’re planning to relocate to a different state, you may want to recalculate the average monthly costs based on the new location. Some high-cost states include Hawaii, Connecticut, and South Carolina. Some of the lowest states for average utility costs include Nevada, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Montana.

Other expenses, such as cable TV and internet, can increase those averages. If you’re moving out on your own for the first time, a utility bill in the mail could come as quite a shock. After all, if you plan to spend $600 on rent and then learn that you have to pay another few hundred in utilities, you may end up with a tight budget.

Calculating the cost of utilities for your apartment

Most renters will be responsible for several key utilities, including electricity, gas, water, and cable and/or internet. Some landlords also require their renters to pay for trash, sewer, and water. The rental listing will typically outline what utilities are included in the rent and which are renter-paid. Below is a breakdown of what to include when creating your own utilities calculator.

Electricity

Electricity is one of the most important features for your utilities calculator. In the United States, the average monthly electric bill is $115. The average cost of electricity per kilowatt-hour, which is the unit of measurement of electricity, is $0.13. Location plays a big role in your actual costs, however. Hawaii, Connecticut, Alabama, South Carolina, and Mississippi have the highest average residential electricity bills. Electricity costs are lowest in Idaho, Illinois, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.

Gas

When you’re working out your utilities calculator for a new residence, you need to determine whether your unit relies on gas and, if so, for what. Some apartments have gas stoves, water heaters, and dryers, while others include electric-powered appliances.

The average gas bill for a 1-bedroom apartment is $80 per month, but that number fluctuates drastically as the seasons change. If you live in an area that doesn’t get too cold, your bill will likely remain lower. During the winter months, the gas bill goes up as you run the heating system more frequently.

Cable and/or Internet 

The average internet cost varies dependign on your provider. Usually, bundling internet with other services, such as phone and/or cable, could save you some money on each.

Cable or satellite TV is another monthly expense. Some renters are cutting the cord and streaming their entertainment instead, but doing so generally comes with a cost, as well. Combined, many renters pay upwards of $100 per month for cable and internet.

Water 

Many landlords include water, trash, and sewer services in the monthly rent, but some renters are responsible to pay their own water bills. The average cost for a water bill for a 1-bedroom apartment is around $35 per month.

Trash/Sewer

You may be responsible for trash collection and/or sewer costs, although these are some of the lowest-priced utilities. A trash bill is usually around $12 to $20 per month, while a sewer bill can add another $10 to $15 to your costs. In most cases, these amounts are included in your monthly rent and not billed separately.

Tips to keep your average utility costs low

Here are some tips to help you reduce your utility bills so your utilities calculator will deliver a lower overall cost:

• Monitor your thermostat: The temperature at which you keep your living space is one of the biggest factors in your gas and electricity costs, depending on the season. About half of the energy costs in the average household are spent on heating and cooling. Raising the temperature by just a few degrees in the summer and lowering the temperature in the winter can help reduce your energy costs. 
• Upgrade your thermostat: You could also ask your landlord to upgrade the thermostat to a smart unit that can track usage and make automatic energy-saving adjustments.
• Change your filters: Replace the air filter in your system every month or every other month, depending on where you live, to make sure it’s running as efficiently as possible.
• Switch to better bulbs: Install energy-efficient light bulbs in lamps, ceiling fans, and other fixtures to help reduce electricity usage. LEDs use as much as 90% less energy, which will cut back on the totals in your utilities calculator considerably.
• Start energy-saving habits: Unplug your electronics when they’re not in use, hang your clothes to dry rather than use the dryer, and limit water waste by cutting your shower time. Here are a few more tips to help you save on your utility bills.

Understanding what goes into your utilities calculator will give you the information you need to make smart adjustments and get these costs as low as possible so you can enjoy a healthy, manageable budget for your apartment.

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