How Much Is the Average Electric Bill?

How Much Is the Average Electric Bill, and What Can I Afford?

The average monthly electric bill was about $144 in 2024. Be prepared for what to expect, and find ways to lower your bill.

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Edited by other Updated Mar 16, 2026 A budget is a helpful way to meet financial goals and easily track spending, especially with bills like electricity. Electricity bills can accumulate quickly and be costly.

How much is the average electric bill?

In 2024, the average monthly electric bill for U.S. residential customers was $144, with an average monthly consumption per customer of 865 kilowatt-hours, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Electricity rates are determined by multiple factors including rates charged by power plants, fuel, weather, demand and regulations. Like a water bill, the rate of consumption and appliance efficiency are fundamental factors in how much an electric bill costs. Other factors, including the size and physical characteristics of your home, influence the overall cost. From an energy perspective, living in a bigger space, such as a single-family home, will usually cost more than living in a smaller space, such as an apartment. Running various appliances, notably those that are not energy efficient, can also cause your electric bill to increase. The bottom line is, the more energy you use, the higher your bill is likely to be.

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How can I budget for my electric bill?

The 50/30/20 rule is a standard budgeting approach that guides users to spend 50% of their monthly after-tax income on needs, 30% on wants and 20% on savings and debt payments. An electric bill is considered a "need," so users of the method would allocate 50% of income to essential utilities, including electricity, and other necessities including food, housing and transportation. Here's a hypothetical example of how the breakdown could look for someone with a $2,500 monthly income: $1,250 for utilities (including electricity), internet, rent, groceries and other needs. $750 for new clothes and dinner with friends. $500 toward savings and paying off your credit card. » MORE: This script may help you save on utilities » MORE:

How to lower your electric bill

See the 13 ways to lower your electric bill. We've summarized a few of them below: Use appliances and devices efficiently: Minimize energy consumption by maximizing your appliance and device usage. Consider running your dishwasher only when it’s filled up and starting your washing machine only when you have a full load, using cold, rather than hot or warm, water. Also, try consolidating dryer loads to a shorter timespan to prevent the dryer from cooling down in between. Invest in smart power strips: Certain electronics continue to consume energy even after they're powered off. Some experts say these electronics account for 5%-10% of household energy consumption. A smart power strip shuts down the power to products that aren't in use. Ask for an energy audit or home performance assessment: Have a local expert come to your home and provide recommendations on how to significantly reduce your energy bill, become energy efficient, identify issues with comfort, review your bills, and assess the safety of your home. Check Energy Star, a government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, and utility companies to find someone. » MORE: Learn about energy assistance programs that can help with energy costs. » MORE: Former NerdWallet writer Aysia Morton contributed to this story. Former NerdWallet writer Aysia Morton contributed to this story. Explore more on About the authors Mulka Lisa Mulka is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance content. With more than 15 years of writing experience, Lisa most recently authored a book on personal financial literacy and served as lead writer on the FDIC’s Money Smart for Young People program. She holds a bachelor’s in creative writing, and master’s degrees in written communication and in educational technology. Lisa lives with her husband and two children in Michigan, where she spends her free time teaching the next generation of writers at Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. WMS™ Kate Ashford is a writer and spokesperson for NerdWallet. She is a wealth management specialist (WMS)™ and certified senior advisor (CSA)® and has more than 20 years of experience writing about personal finance. Previously, she was a freelance writer for both consumer and business publications, and her work has been published by the BBC, Forbes, Money, AARP, LearnVest and Parents, among others. She has a degree from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism. Kate has been quoted by outlets including the Associated Press, MarketWatch, NBC and Fortune. She is based in New York. 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®