Utility Bills 101: Average Monthly Cost of Utilities by State and Nationally

Let’s face it: Nobody likes paying utility bills. They pop up each month and keep you from putting your paycheck toward more exciting areas of your budget, like your vacation fund—or that fun subscription box you've always wanted with specialty coffees, cocktails, snacks or gadgets.

No matter what you’re saving for, utility bills are a burden we all have to bear. But which states’ residents bear the largest burden? We crunched the numbers so you can see how the average monthly utility costs in your state stack up against the rest. We looked at both the total cost and the percent of your monthly income spent on utilities.

In this article:

• Average utility costs in the US
• Average utility costs by state
• Full data set: Ranking table of utility costs by state
• How to save money on utility bills
• How to save energy
• Average utility costs by service
• Methodology

US average monthly utility bill cost: $583 (↓down slightly overall compared to last year's $599)

Whether you’re getting settled in a new home or planning a move, budgeting for monthly utility costs can make life a lot easier. On average, most US households spend around $380 per month on essentials like electricity, natural gas, water, and sewer. When you add in internet, phone, and streaming services, that typical utility cost is closer to $600 per month ($583, to be exact).

Of course, utility costs vary based on your state, local climate, and energy rates. We’ve looked at the average utility bills across the country so you can see how your state compares to the national average. Keep reading to find out which states have the highest and lowest average utility bill costs and discover tips to help you save on your energy bill no matter where you live.

Now that we’ve discussed the national averages for utility expenses, let’s talk about how much utilities cost per month in different states.

• Electricity tops the list as the most expensive part of a typical monthly utility bill, while water typically remains the least costly (depending on where you live).
• Compared to last year, average costs for electricity, water, sewer, and internet have all gone up, while natural gas and phone expenses have decreased.
• 4 states have average utility bills higher than the national average: Hawaii ($756), West Virginia ($692), Missouri ($606), and Oregon ($600).
• In 4 states, utility costs exceed 10% of the state’s median monthly income: West Virginia (14%), Alabama (11%), Mississippi (10.77%), and Louisiana (10.39%).
• 8 states spend a larger percentage of monthly income on utilities than the national average: Kentucky, Missouri, Hawaii, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and West Virginia.

1. West Virginia
2. Hawaii
3. Alabama
4. Missouri
5. Georgia

We’re sorry, West Virginia, but you’ve earned the top spot for utility costs as a percentage of income. While Hawaii has the highest overall utility prices in the US, West Virginians feel the biggest impact when compared to income. Residents here face the highest average water bill in the country at $122 per month—far above the national average of $47 per month for a typical water bill. This rise is partly due to the increased Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC), which goes toward infrastructure upgrades and improved water quality.

While Hawaii is known for its incredible beaches and laid-back lifestyles, it costs the average islander a pretty penny to live here and afford utilities, food, and housing. Hawaii has the highest electricity price—nearly 20% above the US average rate—and the state relies on imported petroleum for 60% of its electricity generation.²

Alabama’s hot summers mean some of the highest electricity bills in the US, with seven out of 10 residents relying on electric power to cool their homes. Last year, Alabama ranked fifth, but this year it’s moved up to number three, largely due to rising electricity costs. Electricity now averages $143.95 per month—a 14% decrease from last year, but still above the national average (which has risen to $136.84).

Missouri has dropped to the fourth spot this year after ranking third last year, but it still remains among the top five states with the highest utility costs per month. Residents here pay above-average prices for natural gas, sewer, and internet services.

Georgia ranks #5 in the nation for the highest average costs on essentials like electricity, natural gas, and streaming services. The good news? Georgians enjoy an overall cost of living that's about  50% lower than the national average, helping to balance those higher bills.

1. Wisconsin
2. Illinois
3. Minnesota
4. South Dakota
5. North Dakota

Wisconsin residents benefit from one of the lowest average natural gas prices in the US this year, with 70% of households relying on natural gas for heating. In 2023–24, Wisconsin saw an average 21% reduction in home heating costs, along with other Midwestern states, bringing even more savings to residents.

The most populous state in the Midwest, Illinois, has seen average utility prices drop year over year, bringing it up to number two in the nation for least expensive utilities in 2024 (up from number four in 2023). Fun fact: about 96% of Illinois households use electric air conditioning, but only one in six rely on electricity for heating—nearly eight in 10 Illinois households use natural gas instead. The Land of Lincoln benefits from below-average energy costs and an overall low cost of living.

Despite frigid winters and steamy summers, Minnesota keeps utility costs low, spending about 2% less on electricity than most states. Even with a 12% increase in electric rates, energy costs in The North Star State still come in nearly $40 below the national monthly average.

South Dakota's total utility costs have dropped 13% year over year, largely thanks to a decrease in natural gas prices by over $20 per month. This puts South Dakota among the top five least expensive states for utilities this year. Natural gas prices fell due to increased production and lower overall consumption.

Like it's southern counterpart, North Dakota has seen average monthly gas and electric bills drop since last year. Although water and internet costs are a bit higher, low prices for gas and electricity have brought North Dakota into the top five states with the least expensive average utility bill this year.

Before we dig into the factors that impact how much they cost, here’s a handful of ways to save money on your utility bills every month:

• Call around and shop providers to get the best price.
• Adjust your thermostat or get a smart thermostat.
• Research and compare affordable home insurance options.
• Swap out your light bulbs with energy-efficient replacements.
• Build credit by paying utility bills.
• Unplug electronics you’re not using.
• Get solar panels for your house.
• Replace your water heater if it’s more than 10 years old.
• Replace your home’s air filters once a month to every 3 months.
• Address leaks and drafts in your home.
• Get an energy audit or HVAC maintenance checkup.
• Wash your clothes in cold water.
• Replace old appliances.
• Thrift, rent, donate, and reuse items.

• Heating and cooling
• Electricity
• Gas
• Water
• Trash
• Internet

Until recently, paying utility bills on time didn’t impact your credit score. But now, adding your utility payment history to your credit profile can be a real advantage—especially for those with limited or fair credit. This positive payment history can make a difference when buying a home or securing financing for home upgrades, helping you take that next financial step with confidence.

In 2019, Experian created a free tool called Experian Boost, which connects your utility bills to your checking or savings account (with your permission) and gives you credit for making on-time utility bill payments. With Experian Boost, you can improve your credit score and build a credit history by connecting utility, telecom, and even Netflix bills that you pay every month. Learn more about the service or register for your free credit score report. 

Move.org analyzed the costs of six utilities to determine our rankings: electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, internet, and TV. Our final ranking was weighted using 1)the total cost of utilities in each state and 2)the percent of income paid for utilities based on the median monthly income per state.

We pulled the annual median household income by state from the FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) and divided it by 12 to determine the monthly household income.²⁰

The sum of these utilities make up our averages for each state’s total utility costs per month. While we included the estimated average US costs for trash collection and phone, we did not use them in our state rankings. 

• Electricity—To determine each state’s average electricity bill, we used US Energy Information Administration (EIA) kww data to find the average monthly electricity consumption for US residents (897 kWh) and multiplied this average by each state’s electricity cost per kWh.¹⁹
• Natural gas—The average US home uses 168 cubic feet of natural gas per day. We used this number and the cost of natural gas per cubic foot in each state, according to the EIA, to find the average monthly cost of natural gas.²²
• Internet and TV—We used survey data from Reviews.org. and highspeedinternet.com to calculate the cost of both internet, phone TV streaming. ^17,18 
• . For internet, we found the cost of service that included 60 Mbps, unlimited data, and ADSL.
• Water and Sewer—The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates the average American family uses 300 gallons of water per day. We used RentCafe to pull the average monthly household water and wastewater bill for each state.²¹