Apartment vs House: Average Utility Costs

When you upgrade from an apartment to a house, the rent or mortgage isn’t the only thing that jumps. Utility costs almost always change too – sometimes by more than people expect.

Get a custom estimate for your place

Use the utility cost estimator to plug in your square footage, state, and how many people live with you. It will give you a rough low–high range for electric, heating, water, trash, and internet.

Why apartments usually have lower utility bills

Compared to houses, apartments typically benefit from:

Shared walls that reduce heat loss and keep A/C inside.
Smaller square footage, so there’s less space to heat, cool, and light.
Newer buildings in many cities, with better insulation and windows.
More “included in rent” utilities like water, trash, or even heat in some older buildings.

A small apartment in an average-cost state might see total utilities around $80–$200/month, depending on lifestyle and what’s included.

Why houses tend to cost more

Houses often have:

More square footage – bigger rooms, extra bathrooms, and sometimes basements.
More exterior exposure to hot or cold weather.
Additional systems like larger water heaters, garages, outbuildings, or yard lighting.
Fewer “included” utilities – owners usually pay for everything directly.

It’s common for a typical single-family home to land in the $150–$350/month range for utilities, and more in high-cost states or extreme climates.

Comparing a real example

Imagine:

A 750 sq ft apartment with 2 people in an average-cost state.
A 1,600 sq ft house with 3 people in the same state.

The apartment might sit near the bottom of the normal range, especially if water or trash is included. The house could easily double that once you factor in more space to heat and cool.

How to decide what you can afford

When you look at a new place, don’t just compare the rent or mortgage payment. Add:

Estimated utilities from a tool like the calculator on this site.
Internet and streaming subscriptions.
Any HOA or trash fees.

The total monthly number is what matters. Sometimes a slightly higher rent with lower utilities (for example, in a newer, efficient apartment) can be easier on your budget than a cheaper old house with expensive heating and cooling.