What Are Utilities?

• Electricity: Powers lighting, appliances, and heating/cooling.
• Natural Gas: Fuels heating, cooking, and water heaters.
• Water: Supplies drinking, cooking, and sanitation needs.
• Sewer: Manages wastewater disposal.
• Trash/Recycling: Covers waste collection and disposal.
• Internet: Provides broadband connectivity, increasingly considered essential.
• Cable/Streaming: Offers TV and entertainment services.
• Phone: Includes landlines or mobile plans, though less common as a standalone utility.

Do Utilities Include Internet and Other Services?

• Traditional View: Utilities historically cover electricity, gas, water, sewer, and trash, excluding internet, cable, and phone as discretionary services.
• Modern Interpretation: Many sources (e.g., Forbes, Move.org) now include internet ($55–$95/month), phone ($115–$125/month for families), and streaming ($25–$60/month) in utility cost averages ($266–$600/month), reflecting their integration into daily life.
• Practical Impact: Landlords may include some utilities (e.g., water, trash) in rent, but internet, cable, and phone are typically tenant-paid, offering choice in providers and plans. This flexibility allows cost management but requires research into local rates and bundles.

How This Works for Making Choices

• Budgeting: Knowing the full range ($266–$600/month) helps set a realistic housing budget, especially for families of 4 (higher usage) versus single persons. South Africans used to subsidized or communal services may need to adjust.
• Location Selection: States with high utility costs (e.g., Hawaii, $389/month) versus low (e.g., Wyoming, $185/month) influence rental or purchase decisions, balancing with housing costs.
• Service Customization: Choosing providers (e.g., bundling internet/cable for $132–$165/month) or opting for energy-efficient homes can lower bills, a strategy less common in South Africa’s fixed utility models.
• Lifestyle Adjustments: Reducing usage (e.g., shorter showers, unplugging appliances) saves 10–20%, aligning with U.S. energy conservation trends unfamiliar to some newcomers.

Breakdown of Average Monthly Utility Costs by State (2025 Estimates)

Notes on Costs

• Estimates: Based on 2025 projections from sources like HomeEnergyClub and Move.org, adjusted for single-person (400–500 kWh, 85 gallons/day) vs. family (855 kWh, 300 gallons/day) usage. Internet, phone, and streaming add $100–$200 for families.
• Variability: Costs reflect urban averages; rural areas may have lower base utilities but higher internet/phone due to limited providers. State policies (e.g., Texas deregulation) and climate (e.g., Hawaii’s isolation) drive differences.
• South African Context: Higher than South Africa’s subsidized rates (e.g., Eskom averages R1,500/~$80 USD for a family), requiring budgeting adjustments.

Tips for South African Newcomers

• Budget Planning: Expect $180–$350 (single) or $360–$700 (family) monthly, using low-cost states (e.g., New Mexico) over high-cost ones (e.g., Hawaii).
• Service Selection: Bundle internet/cable ($132–$165) or choose basic plans ($30–$40 internet) to save, a new choice for South Africans.
• Energy Efficiency: Install insulation or smart thermostats to cut 10–20%, unfamiliar to rural South African practices.
• Support Resources: Contact ORR (1-800-354-0365) or 211 for assistance programs (e.g., LIHEAP) if struggling.
• Cultural Adjustment: Transition from communal utilities to individual billing, seeking multilingual help if needed.

Conclusion