You already know electricity costs money. But, how much is the average monthly electric bill by the size of household? How much does your costs change by the number of people in your home? Whether there is one of you or a lot more, you still have to pay to keep your lights on. The question how much does it change by household size? It’s a simple fact that can get complicated – especially if you’re shopping for a Retail Electric Provider (REP).
Searching for an electricity provider in Texas can be frustrating. You can choose from 130+ REPs. What is the best fit for your needs? Do you know what your needs are?
How can you find an electricity provider when you’re unsure what electricity should cost?
Estimating your monthly electric bill can help you:
- Shop for a REP.
- Not overpay for electricity.
The more information you have, the easier it can be to find a REP in your Texas city. You can save time and money when you’re better prepared.
This guide can help you determine the average monthly electric bill for one person and households of different sizes. You’ll also learn what factors affect electric bills and how rates in Texas compare to the rest of the country.
Click on a section to skip directly to it:
*The information provided throughout this guide is based on the most recent information from the Energy Information Administration and the United States Census.
How Can We Determine the Average Electric Bill for One Person?
It can be difficult to say what an average monthly electric bill for one person might be today.
In addition to the number of people in a house, many other factors need to be considered when determining the estimated cost of electricity for a home.
Some of these factors might include:
- The personal lifestyle of the people in a home
- The work-life of the people in a home
- The size of the home
- The age of the home
When we take into account all of these components, we can estimate what an electric bill for just one person might be.
To determine an estimated monthly electric bill for one person, we can solve a three-step calculation.
- Take the estimated kilowatt-hours of electricity used per month and the rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to decide on a total average monthly cost of electricity.
- Determine the average household size.
- Then we can divide the estimated electric bill cost by the number of people in an average household.
This process can reveal an estimated monthly cost per person for electricity.
However, we all have different energy needs that can’t be solved by one simple concrete math problem.
Our Shopping Tool can find an electricity plan that goes beyond the numbers to save you money on your electricity bill.
Average Kilowatts Used Per Month in the U.S.
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) gathers electricity usage data for each state in the United States.
The EIA updates its reports on an array of data, including the average consumption of electricity by state.
Currently, the EIA’s most recent information is from 2018. The report shows that, on average, the United States uses 914 kWh of electricity per month.
- Hawaii ranked the lowest, using an average of 518 kWh/month.
- Tennessee ranked the highest, using an average of 1,283 kWh/month.
*These numbers are monthly estimates from the EIA based on information found for 2018.
Average Rate Per Kilowatt Hour in the U.S.
The Energy Information Administration has a recent report that shows the average rate per kilowatt-hour for electricity in the United States by state from February 2020.
The EIA’s report indicates:
- The average residential rate for electricity was 12.85¢/kWh.
- The average commercial rate for electricity was 10.36¢/kWh.
Hawaii ranks as the state with the highest residential cost of electricity (33.37¢/kWh), while North Dakota ranks as the state with the lowest cost of residential electricity (9.28¢/kWh).
Average Monthly Electric Bill in the U.S.
The same report from the EIA above shows that the average electric bill in the United States in February 2020 was $117.65/month.
[ctasecond]
Average Household Size in the U.S.
The United States census determined that between 2014 and 2018, the average number of occupants living in one home in the United States was 2.63 persons.
*As of yet, there is no data available for 2019.
How Much is an Average Electric Bill for One Person in the U.S.?
You can estimate what the cost of electricity for one person per month might be by using the information collected from the EIA for February 2020 and the 2018 U.S. Census.
With an average electric bill of $117.65/month and an average household occupancy of 2.63 people in the United States, you can determine that the average electricity cost for one person in the United States is $44.73/month.
*This information is an estimate based on data from the EIA for February 2020 and the 2018 U.S. Census and can vary by household.
The average household occupancy and the average electric bill are just two components used to determine an estimated average cost of electricity for a household in the United States.
Electricity bills and usage will vary from person to person, depending on a variety of circumstances.
Additional factors that could play a role in determining an estimated electricity bill for a specific household size could include:
- The person or family’s lifestyle
- The size of the home
- The energy efficiency of the home
- The daily average electronic and appliance usage inside of the home
How Does Texas Compare to the Rest of the Country?
The Smith family is relocating from the East Coast to Texas, and they are budgeting for their monthly expenses once they settle into their new home.
The Smith family is a larger family of five, so they’re wondering what the average electric bill for a four-bedroom home in Texas might be compared to the rest of the country.
The Energy Information Administration released data showing the average price of electricity in 51 states in 2019.
In Texas, the average retail price for electricity was 8.48¢/kWh.
According to the data released by the EIA, here is how Texas compared to the rest of the United States:
- The average cost of electricity in Texas in 2019 was 8.48¢/kWh.
- The average cost of electricity throughout all 51 states was 10.53¢/kWh.
- The average cost of electricity in Texas is below the average cost of the rest of the United States.
With this information, the Smith family can search for an affordable electric company that best fits their unique needs.
Average Kilowatts Used Per Month in Texas
Now that Mr. Smith has an idea of where Texas falls compared to the rest of the United States, he’d like to try and keep his electricity usage at or below the Texas monthly kilowatt average.
According to data from the EIA, in 2018, Texas residencies used an average of 1,176 kilowatts of electricity per month.
Average Rate Per Kilowatt Hour in Texas
This chart from the EIA shows that the average residential rate for electricity in 2018 was 11.20¢/kWh.
Average Monthly Electric Bill in Texas
The same EIA chart also shows that the average residential monthly electric bill in Texas in 2018 was $131.63.
Average Household Size in Texas
According to the United States Census, the average household occupancy in Texas between 2014 and 2018 was 2.86 persons.
How Much is an Average Electric Bill for One Person in Texas?
With the information gathered from the EIA and the United States Census from 2018, you can try to determine what an average electric bill for one person per month in Texas might be.
- Take the EIA’s 2018 findings for the average residential monthly electric bill – 131.63
- Divide by the U.S. Census 2018 findings for the average household occupancy in 2018 – 2.86 persons
- Determine an estimated average cost for electricity for one person in Texas
With this information, you can estimate that the average electric bill for one person per month in Texas would be $46.02.
This information can vary from household to household, considering the extra circumstances used to determine a monthly electric bill.
Average Monthly Electric Bill in Texas by Household Size
You might be wondering about the average cost of electricity each month for your home or apartment.
You can use the information from the Energy Information Administration and the United States Census to find an estimated average monthly bill for your Texas home.
Based on each family’s unique household size, the information found above can help provide close estimations.
There are over 150+ Retail Electric Providers available throughout Texas, so the process of finding a Texas electricity company that meets your needs might seem overwhelming.
Luckily, it doesn’t have to be.
If you’re looking for an electricity provider in Texas, you can use Power Wizard, a comparison site that helps you find the right electricity plan with ease.
Average Power Bill for Two People
Sam and Ally are a young couple living in an apartment in downtown Houston. They are searching for an affordable electricity provider in their area.
Sam and Ally are curious to know what the average power bill for two people in Texas might be before they start their search.
They can follow these steps to find their answer:
- Take the EIA’s 2018 findings for the average residential monthly electric bill – $131.63
- Divide by the U.S. Census 2018 findings for the average household occupancy in 2018 – 2.86 persons
- Determine the estimated average cost of electricity for one person in Texas is $46.02
- Multiply the average cost of electricity for one person by two
With this information, Sam and Ally can estimate that the average monthly electric bill for two people per month in Texas would be $92.04.
The average power bill for two people in Texas found above is an estimate and will vary from person to person.
[ctasecond]
Average Electric Bill for Family of Three
The Jones family is a family of three living in the Texas suburbs. They are hoping to determine the average cost of electricity for a family of three in their area.
They can use the information gathered in Texas from the 2018 EIA report and the 2018 U.S. Census report to determine the average electric bill for three people in Texas.
Here’s how:
- Take the EIA’s 2018 findings for the average residential monthly electric bill – $131.63
- Divide by the U.S. Census 2018 findings for the average household occupancy in 2018 – 2.86 persons
- Determine the estimated average cost of electricity for one person in Texas is $46.02
- Multiply the average cost of electricity for one person by three
The Jones family can estimate that the average monthly electric bill for three people per month in Texas would be $138.06.
The average monthly cost of electricity for a family of three in Texas is an estimate and will vary with circumstances unique to each family.
Average Electricity Bill for Four-Person Household
Matt, Jen, Chris, and Jackie are roommates in a townhome in San Antonio.
While they decide how to split the cost of their household bills, they want to know an estimate of what their electricity bill might be for a four-person household.
They realize their answer will be an estimate because they aren’t factoring in additional circumstances, like each individual’s job or personal lifestyle.
The group uses the information gathered from the 2018 EIA report and the 2018 U.S. Census report to determine the average electric bill for a four-person household in Texas.
- Take the EIA’s 2018 findings for the average residential monthly electric bill – $131.63
- Divide by the U.S. Census 2018 findings for the average household occupancy in 2018 – 2.86 persons
- Determine the estimated average cost of electricity for one person in Texas is $46.02
- Multiply the average cost of electricity for one person by four
The group can estimate that the average monthly electric bill for a four-person household in Texas would be $184.08/month.
*This number is an estimate and does not consider the extra circumstances of the individuals in the household and will vary from home to home.
Average Electric Bill for Family of Five
The Kyle family is a family of five living outside of Dallas. They’re looking for an affordable electricity provider for their one-income family.
The Kyle family decides to determine the estimated monthly electric bill for a family of five before starting their power company search.
They use the following steps to find their answer:
- Take the EIA’s 2018 findings for the average residential monthly electric bill – $131.63
- Divide by the U.S. Census 2018 findings for the average household occupancy in 2018 – 2.86 persons
- Determine the estimated average cost of electricity for one person in Texas is $46.02
- Multiply the average cost of electricity for one person by five
The Kyle family can estimate that the average monthly electric bill for five people per month in Texas would be $230.10.
This number is an estimate based on the average cost of electricity per month and the average household occupancy in Texas. The estimated monthly electric bill will vary from home to home when additional factors are considered.
Factors that Affect Your Average Monthly Electric Bill
Your average monthly bill is determined by more than the number of occupants in your home.
The number of persons inside a home is a good starting point, but it is not the only factor to consider.
A larger family of eight who spends a majority of their day outside of the home can easily use less electricity than a smaller family of two who works from home and spends their free time playing video games or watching the television.
There are a handful of additional components to consider that might affect your average monthly electric bill.
Some of these might include:
- The size of your home
- The lifestyle of the family or individual in the home
- The efficiency of the electricity throughout the home
- The electric rate and plan that was chosen for the home
The Free Savings Estimate Tool uses your Texas zip code and considers these extra components while working to match you with the best electricity rate and provider for your family.
[ctasecond]
Size of Home
A large determining factor in how much electricity your family might use is the size of your home.
Generally, a larger home will use more electricity than a smaller home.
Compared to smaller homes, homes with larger square footage likely have:
- More occupants
- More appliances
- More electronics
- More rooms that need light
- More rooms that need heating and cooling
With this in mind, we know that the size of your home will play a large determining role in your average Texas monthly electric bill.
Lifestyle
The lifestyles of each person inside of your home play a part in determining an average monthly electric bill.
Ask yourself the following:
- Do the majority of your family members work from home?
- Are your kids in school?
- Do the adults work outside of the home or travel for work often?
- Does your family take a lot of vacations or spend time outside of the home on the weekends?
- Are electronics running throughout the majority of the days?
- Do you leave lights on and electronics plugged in when not in use?
- Are you continually running appliances and using your heating and cooling system?
It is easy to overlook all of these little details when considering what the final cost of your electric bill might be.
Try our Free Savings Estimate Tool to help match you with the best rate and provider in your Texas area while taking these lifestyle components into consideration.
Your Plan and Your Rate
Each Texas electricity consumer uses a Retail Electric Provider (REP) to service their electricity needs.
Every available REP has its own set of plans and rates.
In Texas, there are over 160 REPs available for customers to choose from, depending on their exact location in Texas.
Your chosen REP, rate, and plan will play a role in your monthly electricity cost.
But, it can be daunting and stressful to search for the one REP that will work the best for you, your home, and your family.
How Can You Be Certain Your Monthly Electric Bill Isn’t Higher Than it Should Be?
Now that you’re equipped with all of the information necessary to help determine your monthly bill, you can get started with finding your electricity provider.
Of course, there are a handful of additional personal factors to consider when estimating the average monthly cost of your electricity bill.
There are two ways you can search for your new Texas REP:
- Spend hours and hours manually researching on your computer and comparing all of the REPs you find.
- Use a digital market place like Power Wizard and compare in one place electricity plans and REP within minutes.
Manually Research and Compare all REPs in Your Zip Code
The Ryan family is moving from Houston to Dallas and needs an electricity provider for their new home.
Mrs. Ryan has been busy packing up her home and family, arranging school enrollments, searching for a job, and finalizing all of the details for a new city.
She suddenly remembers that she has yet to find an electricity company for their new house, and she knows they will need to have electricity set up right away.
Amid her busy schedule, she stops and opens her computer to begin searching for a Retail Electric Provider in San Dallas.
The process for Mrs. Ryan looks like this:
- She searches the internet and takes notes on the dozens of REPs she finds in Dallas.
- She compares all of the REPs plans and rates.
- She chooses one she thinks might work for her family and their new home.
She is frustrated that she had wasted so much time looking for an electricity provider when her to-do list was already so long.
Did Mrs. Ryan use her time wisely?
Use a Electricity Comparison Website
Chloe recently graduated from college and has landed a job in the city of Houston.
She has found a townhome that now needs electricity.
With her starting salary in mind, Chloe knows that she has to be mindful of her utility bills to stay within her budget.
Rather than spending hours researching each electricity provider online and sifting thought dozens of different plans, she decides to use a comparison site.
Chloe’s process looks like this:
- She goes to Power Wizard’s website.
- She enters her Houston zip code.
- Chooses her average electricity usage
- Picks her electricity plan
- She will go through a short process to sign up
Saving Money and Saving the Planet
Cost can vary widely depending on the size of the home, the efficiency of appliances, and the usage habits. By being aware of these variables, you can take steps to reduce your energy consumption and lower your bills.
Whether through investing in energy-efficient appliances, practicing mindful energy usage, or exploring different electricity plans, there are many ways to optimize your energy expenditure. Taking control of your electric bill not only saves you money but also contributes to a more sustainable future.
More From the Power Wizard Blog
-
Affordable Electric Bill: Power Wizard’s Promise of Protection
Sarah, a proud Texan, knows that everything is bigger in Texas – including the choices when it comes to electricity providers. She’s no stranger to the complexities of deregulated energy markets. With a bustling household, she juggles work, family, and keeping the lights on. But there’s one thing Sarah doesn’t want to juggle: her electric bill. […]
View Article -
Vampire Energy: How Phantom Power Drains Your Wallet and the Environment
Imagine your home filled with silent energy sippers, lurking in the shadows, unnoticed yet constantly draining power and your wallet. Vampire energy, or phantom load, refers to the electricity electronic devices consume, even when turned off or in standby mode. These energy vampires are prevalent in every household and workplace, from the charger left plugged […]
View Article -
Do Solar Panels Increase Home Value?
The United States now has more than 6,000 people who work in the solar power industry and help us enjoy the benefits of this amazing technology. As solar panels become more and more common, some people are wondering, “Do solar panels increase home value estimates?” The truth is that solar panels can provide a long list of […]
View Article -
What Is Net Metering and How Does It Work?
A staggering 1300% increase. That’s how much the number of electric customers engaging in net metering skyrocketed from 2010 to 2020. But what is behind this surge? What exactly is net metering, and how could it potentially change the way you view your electricity consumption? The journey from an ordinary consumer to a potentially profitable one […]
View Article -
The Top Sources of Carbon Emissions in the U.S.
Climate change due to rising global temperature seriously threatens the natural ecosystem. It can result in erratic weather featuring intense drought, heat waves, melting ice caps, warming oceans, and increased storms when left unchecked. As the impact of climate change worsens, the risk of biodiversity loss and human extinction gets bigger. Table of Contents What […]
View Article -
California Solar Tax Credit & Incentives for Residential Rooftop Solar
Are you considering investing in residential solar panels in California? You’re not the only one. Research shows that California was ranked number one out of 50 states in 2022 for solar power generation, with more than 11 million homes powered by the sun. A major reason why solar power is popular statewide is that prices have dropped […]
View Article -
What Should You Include in an Energy Efficiency Audit?
Rising energy costs mean higher electricity bills, and for the average homeowner or business, a little savings each month can add up to extra cash at the end of the year. If you’re looking for ways to reduce your home’s energy consumption, performing a home energy audit is a great place to start. Table of […]
View Article -
How to Cancel Your Electricity Contract with Your Provider
There are many advantages to changing your electrical service, including finding a better price, switching to a company with better customer service, and finding a distributor with a green appeal. It’s easiest to end your service when a contract ends, but sometimes it makes sense to switch early. For instance, you may find that you’re […]
View Article
