Everyone accounts for their rent payments in their monthly budgets, along with a few other necessary expenses. However, small monthly utility payments can mount up quickly and eat into your spending plan for non-essential items. If you’re a first-time renter, you might be curious about how much an apartment’s utilities will cost.
This guide will discuss the most prevalent utilities renters in America pay each month, along with the typical costs for each bill.
Apartments must have access to the four main utilities of heating, electricity, gas, and water otherwise they are not considered habitable. Typically, renters are responsible for paying their own electric bills; however, landlords may include some or all of these costs in the rent.
For instance, it’s common for landlords in large cities to foot the bill for utilities like heat and garbage collection because it’s simpler to supply the entire building and raise the rent than divide it up. If you are unsure whether any utilities are included, check your lease agreement.
Just because your landlord is paying the bill doesn’t mean it’s free, keep in mind. Typically, apartments with utilities are more expensive, and it’s possible that the cost of the utility bill is less than the difference in rent. However, you are paying for the convenience of not having to deal with the inconvenience of paying the bill on a monthly basis.
You must also take into account things like internet, cable, and streaming services in addition to these essential utilities. If money is tight, you can live without these services. However, for the majority of modern renters, they are crucial and should be taken into account when setting your budget.
Although you won’t receive a separate utility bill for heating, you will still need to find a way to pay for it. Either your landlord will pay for it and add it to the rent, or it will be charged to your electric or gas bill.
Your monthly heating costs will vary depending on the climate where you live; northern cities will have higher heating costs than southern cities. You should also consider air conditioning. Your electric bill will include the cost of running an air conditioner, so you won’t need to worry about a separate bill. However, if you reside in a hot climate and must keep your apartment cool during the summer, be ready for an increase in your electric bill.
If you have gas heat or forced air heating, the average cost to heat an apartment during the winter is typically around $80-100 per month. The price to heat your apartment will be significantly more, probably between $200 and $250 per month, if you have oil heating.
During the summer, the typical monthly cost to cool an apartment is between $100 and $125. The price may go up if you reside in a hot climate or have a large apartment.
Electricity is a significant expense that, if you’re not careful, could spiral out of control. It’s simple to be careless and let the AC run while you’re sleeping or leave the lights on all night. However, excessive electricity use will raise your bill and deplete your budget for other expenses.
The best course of action is to be aware of how much electricity you use and to turn off electronics and other energy hogs when not in use. Depending on your needs and the number of roommates you have, your electricity costs will vary, but they typically range from $100 to $150 per month.
Gas is another important bill you should take into consideration. Although you might not give gas much thought in your apartment, many of your appliances probably do. You must ascertain where your gas is being used in order to receive a precise estimate of your bill. Knowing whether your apartment is heated by gas or electricity and whether your oven and stove are gas or electric is crucial to accurately calculating your gas bill.
Gas and electricity are frequently covered by the same energy provider, and you will receive a single bill that details the costs of each utility. If you’re trying to figure out how to cut your monthly expenses, pay close attention to this breakdown.
Water is another essential utility that can’t be overlooked. You might end up paying more if you like taking long, luxurious showers or if you have a lot of plants. However, in general, water bills are affordable and frequently paid for by the landlord.
Although it was once considered a luxury, most renters now consider it to be a necessity. Depending on the amount of speed and bandwidth you need, different Internet plans are available. You can survive on $50 to $75 per month if you’re a single person who only needs to be able to watch Netflix and browse the internet. The cost may be closer to $150 if you’re a gamer or tech enthusiast who needs a lot of bandwidth to run programs.
Another luxury that has evolved into a necessity is entertainment. If you would rather save the money and read a book, you may choose not to pay this bill. However, the majority of tenants want access to entertainment options, even if it’s just a Netflix subscription.
If you still enjoy having access to a huge selection of channels, cable is fantastic. However, combining and contrasting various streaming services is another option if you’re trying to save money.
The costs listed above are the national average, so they only serve as a general indication of what you can anticipate spending as an adult living alone. The majority of adult renters pay all utilities on average between $200 and $300 per month. But depending on the size of your apartment and the number of roommates you have, your utility costs will vary greatly.
Monthly expenses will be lower for a single person living in a studio apartment than for a group of four roommates in a duplex. However, if your roommates are thrifty, you might be able to cut costs by sharing the costs with them. Here are the total utility costs broken down by apartment size.
Here’s an estimate of how much more you can expect to pay for utilities if you live in a larger apartment.
Methodology:
Prior to signing the lease when looking around for an apartment, be sure to ask the property manager about the cost of utilities. Learn what the tenant is responsible for as well as what you are. If you decide to rent the apartment, make sure to include this in the lease.
Depending on how frequently you use your gas stove or oil heater, your monthly gas bill for cooking could range from $15 to $100. Your gas bill will be considerably lower if your apartment has an electric stove or heater, if it is not already included in the price of your rent.
Knowing how much you’ll spend on utilities each month will give you the most accurate estimate of how much it will cost to rent an apartment each month. Before signing the lease, be aware of what to expect, and shop around to find the best deals.
Formerly the chief editor and head of content for FinTech companies in New York and San Francisco, Claire Tak is a writer. Her work has appeared on FOX Business, Bloomberg and Forbes. She frequently writes about being a good person, traveling, and making money. Traveling and snowboarding are her two favorite things to do.
What you purchase and place in your apartment has a significant impact. Major appliances are probably out of your control, but when buying items like TVs, be mindful of their energy efficiency to avoid spending more money at the end of the month.
Moving from One State to Another: The Difference in Utilities Costs
If you’re considering moving from one state to another, understanding how much different apartment utilities will cost can help you create a budget. We developed this calculator to give you an idea of the typical utility prices in various states.
Apartment Water Bills
FAQ
What is the average water bill in New York City?
At $477 per month, New York’s utility costs are the fifth-highest in the country. Natural gas costs $100 on average, while electricity bills are typically $175. Your water bill will be around $40 and 60 mbps internet will cost you $60.
Do you pay for water in NYC apartment?
We charge water and wastewater bills to all properties in New York City that use our services. Most properties have a water meter at the head of the water service pipe where it enters the building that measures how much water is consumed there.
How much is water bill in Long Island?
The average New Yorker pays $174 per month for electricity, $103 for natural gas, $61 for internet, and $40 for water, making Long Island utilities expensive.
How much are utilities in Brooklyn?
Utilities (Monthly) In Brooklyn, energy bills cost around $181. 93 per month.
Reference:
https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/apartment-search-2/money/apartment-utilities-breakdown/
https://www.apartmentlist.com/renter-life/estimating-apartment-utilities-cost