Average Electric Bill for a 1-bedroom apartment
Typical monthly usage for a 1-bedroom apartment is around 550kWh. Here's what that costs at current rates, state by state, and what pushes the bill above average.
$100.87/mo
550 kWh × 0.18 $/kWh (US avg rate, EIA Jun 2026)
Typical monthly usage
550 kWh
≈ 6,600 kWh/year
Yearly bill
$1,210.44
at US average rate
What a 1-bedroom apartment pays in different states
Same home, same 550kWh — the only difference is each state's average residential rate (EIA). Open a state for its full average-bill breakdown.
Where a 1-bedroom apartment's electricity goes
Heating and cooling lead
For most homes, AC and heating are the largest single loads. In a small apartment, window units or a heat pump dominate the seasonal swing — summer bills can run double the spring baseline.
Water heating is the quiet second
An electric tank water heater typically adds $20–$40 a month. Lowering the tank to 120°F is the easiest win in most apartments.
The always-on baseline
Fridge, router, standby power, and lighting run around the clock — usually 150–250 kWh of a 1-bedroom apartment's 550 kWh. That's why bills don't fall to zero even when you're away.
Frequently asked questions
A typical 1-bedroom apartment uses around 550 kWh per month (6,600 kWh a year). Actual usage swings with climate — heavy air conditioning or electric heating can double it, while mild weather and gas appliances keep it lower.