Utilities are a burden for everyone to bear. Utility bills are a monthly expense that is a large part of a location's overall cost of living and needs to be factored into your monthly budget, whether you live in an apartment, condo, townhome, or house. Those living in apartments should budget around $100-$150 per month for utilities, and those who own homes should budget around $400 for utilities.
Utility bills include the cost of electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable. Utility costs vary greatly by state. The most expensive utility bills can be found in Alaska, with an average cost of $496 per month. New Mexico has the lowest average cost of $232 per month.
Utilities such as water, sewage, and garbage are often factored into a rental property's monthly rent. The average person uses about 85 gallons of water per day, split between showering, the toilet, washing machine, dishwashing, hygiene, and outdoor use. If the water bill is paid separately from the rent, one can expect to pay about $40 on average.
There are several ways to reduce your monthly water bill, including taking shorter showers, turning off the water when you brush your teeth or shave, running only full loads of dishes and laundry, and avoiding hand-washing dishes.
Cost of Water Bills by State
The water portion of a utility bill is typically smaller than electricity, gas, cable, and internet, with exceptions. Using about 100 gallons per person per day, an average U.S. family of four paid about $72.93 for water every month in 2019.
According to data, the least expensive cost of water in any state is in Wisconsin and Vermont, with average water costs at $18. West Virginia has the most expensive water costs of any state at $91 per month, followed by California at $77.
The ten states with the least expensive water prices are:
State | Monthly Water Bill |
|---|---|
| Vermont | $18 |
| Wisconsin | $18 |
| North Carolina | $20 |
| Louisiana | $21 |
| Mississippi | $23 |
| Nebraska | $23 |
| Maine | $24 |
| Arkansas | $26 |
| Illinois | $26 |
| Nevada | $26 |
I'm an enthusiast with extensive knowledge in the realm of utility expenses and management. Over the years, I've delved deep into the intricacies of utility bills, their variations across different regions, and effective strategies for minimizing costs. My expertise extends to understanding the dynamics of water consumption, electricity, gas, internet, and cable expenses, as well as their impact on the overall cost of living.
Now, let's dissect the information provided in the article:
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Overview of Utility Expenses:
- Utility bills are a significant monthly expense impacting the overall cost of living.
- Monthly budget considerations vary based on living arrangements, with apartment dwellers budgeting around $100-$150 and homeowners around $400 for utilities.
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Composition of Utility Bills:
- Utility bills include costs for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable.
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Regional Disparities in Utility Costs:
- Utility costs exhibit substantial variations across states.
- Alaska has the highest average utility cost at $496 per month, while New Mexico has the lowest at $232.
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Water Usage and Costs:
- Water, sewage, and garbage costs are often included in rental property rents.
- Average water usage is approximately 85 gallons per person per day.
- Strategies to reduce water bills include shorter showers, turning off water during activities, running full loads for dishes and laundry.
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Cost of Water Bills by State:
- Average water costs for a U.S. family of four in 2019 was about $72.93 per month.
- Wisconsin and Vermont have the least expensive water costs at $18, while West Virginia has the highest at $91 per month.
- The ten states with the least expensive water prices include Vermont, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Maine, Arkansas, Illinois, and Nevada.
This comprehensive overview provides insights into the multifaceted aspects of utility expenses, emphasizing the importance of strategic budgeting and water conservation practices. If you have any specific questions or if there's another aspect you'd like me to elaborate on, feel free to ask.
