What Is a Utility Bill? Examples, Average Cost, Affordability

The big utility bills are electric, water and gas, with average prices that may be higher than you think.

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Utility bills aren’t the most glamorous expenses, but they can add up to hundreds of dollars per month. However, there are ways to save money on utilities and options for assistance if you can't pay.

What is a utility bill?

A utility bill is a monthly statement of the amount a household owes for any one (or more) of the basic services that generally keep a home operable and comfortable. Examples of utilities include electricity, water and gas. Depending on how you define utilities, you could also add sewage, trash and recycling, or even cable, internet, phone and streaming services to that list.

What information is on a utility bill?

A utility bill lists the customer’s name, address and account number. It also states the amount owed and the due date, as well as guidance on how to pay. Utility bills typically give information about your usage of the service, too. A water bill, for example, would list the amount of water you used during the billing period and may show how that amount has changed over the past several months. How much utilities cost varies widely depending on the service, provider, location and usage. Below are a few examples of utility bills and their average costs.

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Electric bill

The average monthly electric bill among U.S. residences last summer (2024) was about $173, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration . Keep in mind, the summer months can be a time of heavier usage due to constant air conditioning To save money on your electric bill, try to be more efficient with your appliances and devices. Investing in a programmable or "smart" thermostat that will adjust temperatures for when you're home or away can save money. Setting your thermostat up or down 7 to 10 degrees (depending on the season) for eight hours a day can save you up to 10% over the course of the year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy . Check with your electric company to see if you qualify for budget billing. Typically, after living in your apartment or home for one year (sometimes longer), you can qualify if you have good credit. The electric company takes your average usage from the previous year and bills you the same each month, saving you from surprise fluctuations that can bust your monthly budget. You might also wait until you have a full load before running your washing machine. Or try a smart power strip, which turns off electricity to the products you aren’t using.

Water bill

The average family spends $1,100 per year on water costs, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data . That puts the average water bill at about $92 per month. To lower your water bill, check for and fix any leaks in toilet valves, faucets and showerheads. The EPA also says you could save more than $350 per year by upgrading to WaterSense- or Energy Star-labeled appliances to improve efficiency. Taking faster showers and turning off the tap while brushing your teeth will save water — and money, too. And rethink hand-washing dishes each night. If you have eight or more dirty dishes, consider running the dishwasher instead.

Gas bill

The average residential gas bill was $141 per month through the second quarter of 2025, according to J.D. Power . But what you pay depends on where you live because the retail price of gas varies from state to state. Larger homes and those with gas-powered appliances, such as furnaces, water heaters and stoves, will have higher gas bills. Given that much of your gas bill probably goes toward heating the house, save money by monitoring your thermostat. In the winter, allow for lower temperatures while you’re away or asleep.

How to handle these bills

Utility bills can certainly add up, so it’s helpful to understand how much you’re spending on them. Consider tracking these bills and other expenses in a budget app. And give the 50/30/20 rule a try. This type of budget divides your monthly take-home income like this: 50% toward needs, like utility bills, rent or mortgage payments and groceries. 30% for wants, such as meals out and vacations. 20% toward savings for the future, such as emergency funds and retirement accounts, as well as paying down debt. There are several other types of budgets if this breakdown doesn’t work for you.

What if you can’t pay your bills?

If you don’t pay your bills, you risk late fees, damaged credit and possible disruption in service. But you have options: Call the customer service line of your provider. You can likely find this number on your bill or through a quick online search. Explain your situation and request help. The company may lower or defer your bill or waive late fees. » Call your utility provider: here's your script to potentially lower your bill » Call your utility provider: Call 211 or visit 211.org. This network of experts may connect you with local resources and assistance. Apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. This federal program helps eligible households struggling with energy costs. Explore more on Article sources NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Residential electricity bills could increase slightly this summer. Accessed Sep 15, 2025. U.S. Department of Energy. Programmable Thermostats. Accessed Sep 15, 2025. Environmental Protection Agency. Statistics and Facts. Accessed Sep 15, 2025. J.D. Power. Average Household Utility Costs Rise 41% in Last Five Years . Accessed Sep 15, 2025. About the authors Laura McMullen assigns and edits content related to personal loans and student loans. She previously edited money news content. Before then, Laura was a senior writer at NerdWallet and covered saving, making and budgeting money; she also contributed to the "Millennial Money" column for The Associated Press. Before joining NerdWallet in 2015, Laura worked for U.S. News & World Report, where she wrote and edited content related to careers, wellness and education and also contributed to the company's rankings projects. Before working at U.S. News & World Report, Laura interned at Vice Media and studied journalism, history and Arabic at Ohio University. Laura lives in Washington, D.C. Published in Tommy Tindall is a lead writer and content strategist covering how to make money — and how to keep it. He’s recorded and written about his experience testing popular gig jobs like driving for Uber, delivering with DoorDash and full-service shopping for Instacart. He loves making an extra buck, but laments the hours of awkward silence he endured as an Uber driver (never again). Cool kids might call him a content creator because he makes YouTube videos for the NerdWallet channel and app, but he himself is no longer very cool. Ask him about budgeting apps — he's tried most of them, but still prefers a good ole Google sheet to track spending. Then be sure to smash that “like” and “subscribe” button. Before NerdWallet, Tommy held decidedly more boring jobs at Fannie Mae and Booz Allen Hamilton. Today, he feels super privileged to write for you, the consumer. Published in 13 Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill Bill Negotiation: Get a Better Deal on Cable, Internet and More 7 Ways to Lower Your Cell Phone Bill 9 Ways to Lower Your Cable Bill How to Lower Your Bills: 45 Ways to Save By Kelsey Sheehy, Laura McMullen, Tiffany Curtis Bill Negotiation: Get a Better Deal on Cable, Internet and More By Tiffany Curtis, Lisa Mulka It’s on You to Figure Out How to Cancel Subscriptions By Tommy Tindall Need Help Paying Bills ASAP? Use This Quick-Help Tool By Liz Weston, CFP®