And heres the interesting thing. Nielsen: Streaming Accounted for More Than One-Third of TV Viewing in June, Electric Sales, Revenue, and Average Price. The cost of living index lets you compare one areas costs with another. Learn more about how inflation affects the cost of utilities. Massachusetts: $469.13 9. You can also donate items to various charities for reuse. Use this cost of living comparison tool to see how much housing, utilities and other basic living expenses vary from city to city as we head into 2023. Make sure your home is well sealed, including good weather stripping around windows and doors. About 7 out of 10 Colorado households use natural gas as their primary home heating source, which makes sense given it has the seventh-largest natural gas reserves of any state.29 While water utility bill costs in Colorado are in line with the rest of the country, there has been growing concern over the states water resources and wildfires. Bundle your homeowners and renters insurance with other products. Gone on way too many walk-throughs but finally found the perfect place. Rates are based largely on your ZIP code and credit history and the amount of coverage you want, but the national average for homeowners premiums is $1,211/year, and the national average for renters is $180/year. Here is a sample winter electric bill for two people living in a 1391-square-foot home in Wayne County, Michigan. Our data about the average cost of streaming services come from a survey conducted by Reviews.org.32 The sum of these utilities makes up our averages for each states total utility costs per month. In small spaces, utilities may not be separately metered and are apportioned among all users. Maybe the schools are top-notch, or the health care there is world renowned. , you may find yourself having more uncomfortable conversations than you want. You have a recent accident or moving violation on your driver record. highlights the cost differences for each category: housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, There are also different styles and colors of window coverings that deflect more heat than others. Where you live affects your insurance rates and how much everyday things cost. Arizonans saw an increase in their average natural gas bill from $37.00 to $78.22. So, fairly inexpensive compared to most other utilities. Our tool shows what youll need to earn to maintain the same standard of living. Cost: installed . Its essential to be clear about what condo fees cover because, in some cases, they can cover utilities like water, trash, and sewer. We researched energy bills, natural gas costs, water bills, and more to find out each state's average utility bill. If you just moved or are planning a move, its important to plan your monthly budget around utility bills. Youll need a barrel, which will run you $50$200 from your local hardware store or online, and to follow some simple rainwater harvesting tips. What Services Qualify as Utilities? Average Cable Bill $0 $100 (depending on plan), Average Condo Bill $50 $1,000 per month. Compare your options in a few minutes. How much could you save? Heres How To Calculate It, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, average annual residential natural gas price, The Best Smart Thermostats According to the MYMOVE Team, The Best Mattresses According to the MYMOVE Team. Your bill isnt based strictly on BTUs. The windy farmland was responsible for producing 58% of Iowas total electricity, the largest wind power share of any state.29 Aside from low utility bills, the state enjoys being 9% below the national average in costs of living. Last updated January 2022. What do you do? The Electricity Bill Calculator automatically calculates your average price per kWh and estimated bill for all available plans. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Are utilities cheaper in an apartment? The price of water is rising in many larger US cities and it doesnt look like itll be slowing down anytime soon. Your HVACs air filters become dirty and clogged over time, forcing systems to work harder to achieve efficiency. New Hampshire made our list for the most expensive monthly utilities two years in a row. A cost of living comparison is a way to see if you could maintain the same lifestyle if you were to move to a new city. Cost of living is what it costs to live in an area. According to recent findings from a Bluefield Research that surveyed 50 utilities in the US, combined household water and wastewater bills have increased an average of 4.2% per year over the past 9 years.17 The study also found that utilities are trying to balance water affordability with the cost of operating water and wastewater systems by using tiered pricing to make water use less costly. About half of Montana households use natural gas as their primary energy source for home heating. Apartments are also more likely to include one or more utilities in the rent than rental houses. The tool provides an estimate of what tenants will pay for utilities and is typically more accurate than a public housing authority utility allowance schedule. Your new employer may be willing to give you more if you explain the cost of living issue. The average apartment electric bill is typically lower than the bill for a house. Idaho takes first place as the cheapest state overall at just $344 per month. The best way to reduce what you spend on trash collection is to reduce your waste. E-mail me the best content from Howmuch.net. If one of the roommates goes away for extended periods, say during university breaks, you may also need to discuss how this will be handled financially. Aside from growing concern over high water bills, water conservation is also an especially timely topic in the US. Call around and shop providers to get the best price. On average, a family of four using around 100 gallons per person per day would expect to spend $68.14 per month on their water bill. Of course, another avenue is to ask for more money if youre moving for a new job. By using your AC and fan at the same time, you can increase the thermostat by four degrees. Clean or replace your furnace and air conditioner system's filters once a month to every three months for optimal performance. Average Cable Bill: $0 $100 (depending on plan). zip code ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used Depending on the region, homeowners use between 30% and 70% of their water outdoors.14 It may seem like a no-brainer, but you can use water that collects on your roof or other catchment areas to water your lawn or clean your car. A graduate of the University of South Florida, her editorial work appears in both local and national publications. It also plays a role in retirement planning, as many seniors look at an areas cost of living before deciding where they want to spend their golden years. Even though different cities calculate their sewer bills differently, in most cases, the bill is based on the average water use of a household because sewer water is not metered like a water system. Solar panels can save you money on your electric bill and increase the value of your home. Serving NY, NJ & CT. Whatever the reason, you may find living in an area with a higher cost of living is worth it. 1. In the US, residents should plan to spend at least $290.79 per month on essential utilities like electricity, natural gas, water, and sewer. 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. The average cost of utilities by zip code. Heres the average cost of using some necessary household devices based on data from Duke Energy: Still, theres one major factor to your electric bill that requires special consideration, Average Heating Bill: $21.56 $26.13 (3 4 months/year) Average Air Conditioning Bill: $21.56 $26.13 (3 4 months/year). But dont worry about not having access to entertainment and information, because there are a plethora of great options for audio/visual content available at many price points. You could buy a bigger house or a fancier car. Every year, we review this page and update our national data and findings for every state, still we realize that many categories on this list (like electricity and natural gas) have fluctuated with inflation. While this energy saver guide goes into more detail about specific ways to save on your heating and cooling costs, we wanted to summarize some top takeaways and provide more context here: Homeowners can save 10%20% on heating and cooling bills by sealing air leaks around walls, ceilings, doors, fixtures, switches, electrical outlets, and windows. While their average electric and natural gas bills decreased, other states experienced more drastic decreases. Buy a modem instead of renting from your provider. Cut your consumption to save money. Give us credit as your source, "HowMuch.net, a financial literacy website", Copy this link to your website (Image is included here). Make sure youre comfortable with the company and the coverage. You may live comfortably in a small town, but that same salary wont go far in high-cost areas like Manhattan, San Francisco, or Honolulu. While it doesnt have the highest average bill for any single utility, each of the bills we checked was among the highest in the US. Texans remember the 2021 winter storm, where millions were without electricity and many homeowners found themselves with astronomical electric bills. Oftentimes, the breakdown looks something like this: Electricity: $117.65 Natural gas: $72.10 Water: $70.39 Trash/Recycling: $14.00 Internet: $60.00 Cable: $85.00 These are very much average figures. Most major cable companies will offer to include a home phone line in your TV or internet package. How Much Are Americans Spending on Their Phone Plans? Medicare: How it works with other insurance, Key difference between Medicare and Medicaid, Best home and auto insurance bundle companies, San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA, Council for Community and Economic Research, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Access date July 2022. However, its also something remote workers consider when trying to determine where in the country they may want to put down roots. According to the non-profit organization Circle of Blue, there are two main reasons why the sewer bill is likely to be higher than your water bill. You can find housing that fits your new budget. Yes, we recognize having cable TV access isnt a necessity, but its definitely a quality-of-life choice that most people find to be well worth the cost. Utah residents have paid some of the lowest utility costs in the country for years. If youre looking to combat water costs, pay special attention to appliances that use more water than others and identify what is necessary for water use. Rising energy costs have been a recent concern for many New Mexicans, while others continue to look to the future of renewable energy with initiatives like the Energy Transition Act. Once youve decided that you want the trappings of covered parking, a communal pool, and a gym, among other shared amenities, it becomes vital to consider what your condo fees will be. Even though prior electric, water and gas bills will probably vary based on usage, youll know with near 100 percent certainty what the trash/recycling and condo fees will cost. Its short for British Thermal Unit, a unit of energy. They looked to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) to determine average electrical consumption per U.S. resident. Use reusable water bottles and food containers. The average daily water usage of one person person is between 80 and 100 gallons. To negotiate, you will need to know the possibilities by researching the competing service providers. So, tracking the cost of living as frequently as possible gives people a better picture, in real time, of what their city looks like as far as cost of living goes.. Average Electricity Bill: $65.33 $88.10, Average Gas Bill: $80/month (varies from month-to-month), Average Water Bill: $17.04 $68.14 per month, Average Sewer Bill: $14.04 $135.57 per month. However, if youre living alone and using the same amount of water, your bill will come closer to $17.04/month. It could also mean you get a lower salary. If you find your income wont go as far in a new city, you can use that information to request a salary increase. Hawaii: $730.86 2. , condo fees can average between $50 and $1,000 in the United States. If youre looking to rent, see if you can find a roommate to help you spread out the costs. Dont know where to start? Replace your water heater if its more than 10 years old. For those who need one, you can expect to pay between $15 $30 per month. Some residentsparticularly those with limited or fair creditbenefit from having their utility payment history attached to their financial footprint because it can help give them the leg up they need in the home buying process or even in making upgrades to their home. With droughts and heat waves impacting regions across the US, homeowners are especially interested in ways to save water in states like California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. If possible try to find a place where the utilities are included in the rent, so you don't even have to think about them. utility costs Utility costs are expenses for electricity, gas, other heating and cooking fuels, water and sewer. New customers can use our Texas Zip Code Search to compare local electric rates and register online, or call 877-509-8946 for assistance. In most states, the local utility company has an electricity monopoly. Moving soon? You can save up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning your thermostat down 710F for 8 hours a day in the fall and winter.3, Smart thermostats allow you to schedule adjustments to your heating and cooling systems and track energy consumption all through a mobile device. Add specialized insulation to your water heater and hot water pipes. Your employer will let you work remotely while living in the lower-cost area. All content 2022 Move.org. Our Premium Calculator Includes: - Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories - Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes) - Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day . health care, auto insurance, and home insurance. Additional utilities include internet ($59.99), phone ($114), and streaming services ($48.25). Whether you're planning to DIY or just need help with the heavy lifting, we can help you find a solution that fits your move and your budget. We may earn money when you click on our links. That should account for about $2.70 of your monthly electric bill (.09 x 30 = 2.7). Idaho is one of the best states for energy overall. Step 2: Power Wizard's process will ask you for some basic information about your home, electricity usage, and more. Keep the cost of living differences in mind when deciding on a new job and salary. You can search for internet deals on NationalBroadBand.com based on your zipcode to try and find the best deal. We've estimated your electricity usage for the next 12 months based on the information you've provided. How much are average utilities for a house? Average Electricity Bill: $65.33 - $88.10 Average Gas Bill: $80/month (varies from month-to-month) Average Water Bill: $17.04 - $68.14 per month Average Sewer Bill: $14.04 - $135.57 per month Average Trash Bill: $12 - $20/month Average Internet Bill: $56.60/month One way to think about these figures is to compare it with population density. The best way to save money on your cell phone bill is to keep an eye on each mobile carriers promotions. Heating and cooling usually make up 35%-40% of your energy bill. Some rentals include certain utilities in the price, while others expect tenants to pay for everything. The sub-metering calculator is for use by residential electric end users and is offered for comparative purposes only. Get instant ballpark pricing for long distance professional movers with our moving cost calculator. So, when comparing ZIP codes, consider the costs that usually add up more than others, such as putting greater emphasis on housing costs. You can save by shopping around, comparing quotes, limiting your claims, and making sure youre getting the auto insurance discounts that you deserve. So, youre not alone if you think your phone bill is too high. Smaller homes also tend to use less electricity, natural gas, and water than larger ones. 2023 Cost of Living Calculator for Utilities & Climate: Thousand Oaks, California and San Diego, California Change Places Our Premium Cost of Living Calculator includes Utilities, Electric Bills, Costs for Natural Gas, Heating Oil, Propane, Comfort Indexes based on the year-round and seasonal weather and other must-know details. How do I sign up for Medicare when I turn 65? You may also see some other items on your gas billsuch as taxes. You can find online tools and calculators that gauge those factors. For information on junk removal options and costs, check out our article on the average cost of junk removal. Compare the top providers in your area. If youre moving into a new house, condo, or apartment rental, you will need to sign up for utility services. The average electric bill squeaks close behind Hawaiis average electric bill at $161.55. Provide your income and calculate But what if your place hasnt gone all-electric? Michigan jumped from the middle of our list from last year (#30) to a spot here in the top 10 due to its decrease in energy bills. Depending on where you live, you may be billed for water usage and wastewater treatment separately. Where Are People Moving in 2020? Across all types of providers, the average monthly electric bill in the United States is $117.65. In 2021, the average price per kilowatt-hour (kWhthe unit of measurement for electricity) for the residential US was 11.8 cents.6, It may come as no surprise that running an electric clothes dryer uses more kWh than charging your mobile phone or using other small electronics. Cost of living is just one factor. The most expensive state for utilities is Alabama at $191.27 and the most affordable state for utilities is New Mexico at $103.40. February 2023 - February 2023. Take a look at these areas in your home and caulk, seal, and weatherstrip all seams, cracks, and openings to the outside. At its most basic level, our visualization demonstrates where utilities are very expensive (or relatively cheap). So, how much are utilities? Like electricity, natural gas has been deregulated in some parts of the United States. She brings her passion and content creation expertise to help movers and shakers get where they want to be. (source) That means the average utility cost for a 700 square foot location can range from a minimum of $200 per month to a maximum of $1150 per month. Would there only be a couple of hundred dollars difference? Yes, your roommate may be your friend, but you still need to have a, formal agreement about your accommodation sharing arrangements. Well, if they are not willing to offer a discount, you can always move to the next best offer because you have several of them down your sleeve. The answer to this question is highly variable. Cooking with an oven uses more energy than a microwave, air fryer, or grill, and it forces your air conditioner to work harder to keep your home cool during the summer months. The most populous state in the Midwest barely made it into our top 10, but were happy to welcome it aboard as a state with some of the lowest utility bills. They may think you are unreasonable for asking for a discount for the lawn service or the electricity bill. All of the electricity plans will automatically re-sort to show the cheapest electricity plan for your home. Enter where you live and the information about another community. Costs for water vary widely depending on how many people are in your home and where you live. Quick question:Can you afford the utilities? For instance, the average home in New York City is valued at almost $783,000, according to online real-estate site Zillow, while the typical house in the Brownsville-Harlingen, Texas, area is just more than $175,000.. 3. Compensation may impact where the Sponsors appear on this website (including the order in which they appear). Some utility costs covered by your landlord may include: Water: Landlords usually cover the cost of water each month. Like a few other states in our top ten, South Carolina has a hot climate that necessitates a lot of AC, which contributes to these hefty bills. Additionally, a person who owns a home along the coast that regularly gets pounded by devastating storms will pay higher premiums. Step 3: In just seconds, our unbiased algorithm compares your needs to the thousands of plans available. Here is a guide on how to decipher what each of those charges on your water bill means. The new partner semi-moves into the apartment, and it all becomes a crowd. Enter the address that needs a ZIP Code. plus annual costs like insurance premiums (which differ substantially for renters and homebuyers) and natural gas. Are you in the condominium (otherwise known as the condo) market? Yes, we know, landline phones are so 90s. Youll often see promotions advertising discounted prices on phone plans (and even new smartphones) if you add an extra line to your plan or switch carriers. The average cost Americans pay for streaming services is $48.25. Check out this plumbing repair cost guide for the most common household leaks and how much goes into a repair. New York: $477.31 6. Cost of living can be a big issue when people are looking to move to a new city to be closer to a job. And the average cost of natural gas to power homes in US households was about $61.69 a month in 2021. Manuel P. Teodoro, Robin Rose Saywitz, American Water Works Association, . In some states like California, New Jersey and Massachusetts, electricity makes up a whopping 40% of the overall outlay for utilities. If youre thinking about moving and want to estimate your utility costs, its important you consider the many factors that dictate your final costs. One of the simplest ways of getting an idea of what the utility bills of a specific house or apartment will be is to ask for prior utility bills. Say youre in the market for a new place to live. We may not have cost-of-living data for some non-metropolitan areas. Secondly, building sewer treatment infrastructure is more expensive now than it was in the past as local authorities have to meet more stringent environmental regulations. Want to find all the utilities available in your area? A recent report finds that the rising cost of water and sewer service in Michigan is consuming a larger share of household income. Sometimes landlords include utilities as part of the rent but you can only know this if you ask. But, over half of the country, still uses a home phone. Here are some times when it may make sense to move from a lower cost to high-cost area: Youll want to find ways to limit your spending. The monthly cost of your internet will vary widely based on connection type and speed. According to the Water and Waste Digest, the average sewer bill can be as low $14.04 in Memphis and go as high as $135.57 in Seattle. Replacement can lower your air conditioner's energy consumption by 5% to 15%.10 Its important to know what size filter you need. Reduce purchases that come in plastic containers. Our websites do not, and are not intended to, provide a comprehensive list of all companies that may provide the products and services you are seeking. And if youre more into watching things strictly for entertainment, there are plenty of streaming video services that offer a variety of content that appeal to almost every niche from film buffs, to classic television, comedies, and horror. California is also relatively expensive but not necessarily budget-shattering at $438. Divide 750 by 1000 to convert 750 watt-hours into .75 kWh (750 1000 = .75). The tool also Compare that to states like South Carolina and Georgia, where natural gas sits at about 32% of the total. Americas water bills have been on the rise for a while. Mortgage Calculator: PMI, Interest, Taxes and Insurance Use SmartAsset's free mortgage calculator to estimate your monthly mortgage payments, including PMI, homeowners insurance, taxes, interest and more. 2. Use this cost of living comparison tool to see how much housing, utilities and other basic living expenses vary from city to city as we head into 2023. You can avoid the uncomfortable discussions if youre willing to do the following before agreeing to move in with a roommate. Also, take a look at our guide about the least livable US cities for minimum wage earners. However, a $75,000 salary in a high-cost area might not go as far as a $60,000 salary in a low-cost area. , you can negotiate the cost of utilities like electricity and gas. Menu burger Close thin Facebook Twitter Google plus Linked in Reddit Email arrow-right-sm arrow-right Loading Home Buying Calculators Keep reading to learn more about monthly utility costs and get money-saving tips. Comparing an areas cost of living should be a critical part of your decision-making, including whether you should move and how much you should ask for a salary. 60 watts x 5 hours = 300 watt-hours. In its recent index, for the third-quarter of 2022, released year for the third-quarter of 2022 index, it found that New York City was the most expensive place to live more than twice the national average while Brownsville-Harlingen was the least expensive.