Average Utility Costs Per Month: What’s Normal?

Although the average utility costs per month for an apartment can differ depending on factors such as the cost of living in your area and whether or not some utilities are included in rent, there are a few guidelines you can use to figure out if what you’re paying is normal. If you think you’re paying too much, you may need to adjust your usage or make your apartment more energy efficient.

Electricity and Gas

When considering average utility costs per month, electricity and gas are likely to make up the largest amount of your bills. You have to consider the size of your apartment and the general climate. An average electric bill may be as low as $30 per month or as high as $100. Gas may cost, on average, anywhere from $40 to $150 and can fluctuate depending on the season. Some apartments don’t have gas bills at all, as heat and hot water is provided through electricity. If this is the case, you should expect your average electrical bill to be a bit higher.

Water and Sewer

Although sometimes taken care of in rent, the average utility costs per month typically includes a water and sewer bill if your apartment complex is serviced by city water and sewer. The average bill for each falls between $10 and $30 a month, although you may be billed at a flat rate for both that can cost between $20 and $60.

Trash

Although many apartments have an apartment complex trash can in which you can deposit your garbage, you’re still likely to be billed for pickup. If your complex follows average utility costs, you could expect to pay between $10 and $40 a month for trash pickup. It’s also possible that since trash pickup doesn’t depend on the amount you throw out, your trash bill can be bundled with other bills, like sewer and water.

Other

Other utilities are often optional but may contribute to your monthly cost. Consider cable, Internet, rental insurance, phone and an alarm service, to name a few. These can add between $50 and $200 a month, depending on how many you get.