Quick answer: The average US home uses roughly 870 kWh of electricity a month, about 10,400 kWh a year, based on U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data for 2025. At the US average rate of 18.2¢ per kWh, that is about $158.34 a month.
“Average” hides a huge range. A small apartment with gas heating might use 400 kWh a month, while an all-electric house in a hot state can use 1,500 kWh or more in summer.
What different usage levels cost
| Monthly use | Energy per month | US per month |
|---|---|---|
| Small apartment | 400 kWh | $72.80 |
| Typical US home | 870 kWh | $158.34 |
| Large all-electric home | 1,500 kWh | $273.00 |
| All-electric home in a hot summer month | 2,000 kWh | $364.00 |
Why your usage differs
- Climate: air conditioning in hot states and electric heating in cold ones are the biggest drivers.
- Heating fuel: homes heated with electricity use far more than those heated with gas.
- Home size and insulation.
- Water heating: an electric water heater can use around 4,000 kWh a year for a family.
- An electric car: 1,000 miles a month adds about 300 kWh. See EV charging costs.
- Pools, hot tubs and second fridges.
How to check your own usage
- Find the kWh used on your bill, or in your utility’s app.
- Compare the same month last year rather than last month, because weather changes everything.
- Divide the bill total by the kWh to find your real rate, and compare it with your state in electricity rates by state.
See which appliances dominate with the appliance cost calculator, or read what uses the most electricity.
Frequently asked questions
Is 1,000 kWh a month a lot?
It is above the US average but normal for a larger home, an all-electric home or a hot summer month. At 18.2¢ per kWh it costs about $182.00.
How many kWh does a home use per day?
About 29 kWh a day on average (870 kWh ÷ 30).
A real example: comparing your home with the average
The EIA puts the average US home at about 860 to 900 kWh a month, roughly $160.16 at the national average rate. A small apartment with gas heating might use 400 kWh ($72.80), while a large all-electric house in Texas in August might use 2,000 kWh ($364.00).
Being above average is not necessarily a problem: what matters is whether your usage makes sense for your home size, climate, heating type and the number of people in it.
UK households
Ofgem’s typical domestic consumption values are 2,700 kWh of electricity a year (about 225 kWh a month) for a medium home, with low and high users at about 1,800 and 4,100 kWh. At the current cap, 225 kWh costs about £59.22 a month plus the standing charge of 54.83p a day, roughly £16.70 a month.
More questions readers ask
Is 1,000 kWh a month a lot?
For a US home with electric heating or cooling, 1,000 kWh is close to normal. For a small flat or a home with gas heating, it is high and worth investigating.
Why do my neighbours use less?
Differences in heating type, insulation, number of people, working from home and appliances such as hot tubs or EVs explain most gaps.
Sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, residential electricity sales and customers, 2025, and Short-Term Energy Outlook.