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In the midst of infrastructure transformation and increasing energy demand, American households face rising costs for essential utility categories, according to doxo.

U.S. households with utility bills spend a median of $4,168 per year or $347 spent per month, the data showed, totaling 5% of the overall annual household income. In 2025, Americans spend a total of $532 billion per year on utilities.

"When utility costs are climbing and consuming a larger share of household budgets, families need better ways to track where their money is going," said Steve Shivers, Co-founder and CEO of doxo. "Our research illuminates the real financial impact of these bills, and we're committed to helping consumers not only prepare for but take control of these significant expense categories."

Meanwhile, states with the most expensive utility bills are Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington and Hawaii. U.S. cities with most expensive utility bills are New York, Milwaukee, San Jose, San Francisco and Baltimore.

Electric utilities market size and household spending:

  • Total electric utilities market size: $217 billion per year.
  • Median monthly/annual bill payment: $120 per month; $1,440 per year.
  • Percent of households: 90% of U.S. households pay electric utilities.

Water & sewer utilities market size and household spending:

  • Total water & sewer utilities market size: $129 billion per year.
  • Median monthly/annual bill payment: $86 per month; $1,036 per year.
  • Percent of households: 72% of U.S. households pay water & sewer utilities.
  • Percent of household bill pay expense: Water & Sewer Utilities bills amount to 3% of consumers’ household bill pay costs per year.

Gas utilities market size and household spending:

  • Total gas utilities market size: $110 billion per year.
  • Median monthly/annual bill payment: $71 per month; $852 per year.
  • Percent of households: 66% of U.S. households pay gas utilities.
  • Percent of household bill pay expense: Gas Utilities bills amount to 2% of consumers’ household bill pay costs per year.

Waste & recycle utilities market size and household spending:

  • Total waste & recycle utilities market size: $75 billion per year.
  • Median monthly/annual bill payment: $70 per month; $840 per year.
  • Percent of households: 53% of U.S. households pay waste & recycle utilities.
  • Percent of household bill pay expense: Waste & recycle utilities bills amount to 2% of consumers’ household bill pay costs per year.

Meanwhile, homeowners insurance costs an average of $2,110 a year, or about $176 a month, according to NerdWallet.

Oklahoma, Texas and Nebraska are the most expensive states for home insurance, while Hawaii, Vermont and Delaware are the least expensive states for coverage.

Most and least expensive insurance companies as selected by NerdWallet:

  • Travelers came in as the cheapest widely available home insurance company, with an average annual rate of $2,055. (Military insurer USAA had even less expensive policies at $1,790 per year, on average.)
  • American Family was the most expensive widely available home insurer, with an average annual rate of $2,745.

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