The national average for a 2-bedroom apartment
The average electric bill for a 2-bedroom apartment in the United States is approximately $90-$140 per month. This estimate is based on typical 2-bedroom usage of 600-1,000 kWh monthly and the national average residential electricity rate of approximately 16-17 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) as of early 2026, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data.
That's roughly 50% more than a 1-bedroom apartment. The increase comes from:
- More square footage: A larger space requires more energy to heat and cool — the single biggest driver of residential electricity use.
- Typically more occupants: A 2-bedroom is often occupied by 2-3 people, which means more hot water, more laundry, more cooking, and more electronics.
- More appliances: Two-bedroom apartments often have a second TV, additional computers, and sometimes in-unit laundry.
Typical usage for a 2-bedroom apartment
A 2-bedroom apartment typically uses 600-1,000 kWh per month. Here's where that electricity goes:
| Appliance/Use | Est. kWh/Month | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning | 150-400 | Summer months; more space = more cooling |
| Electric heat | 300-700 | Winter months; if electric heating |
| Water heater (electric) | 150-300 | Higher with 2+ occupants; more showers, dishes |
| Refrigerator | 30-60 | Newer models; older units can use 75-150 |
| Washer/Dryer (in-unit) | 50-100 | If in-unit; dryer uses most of it |
| Lighting | 30-70 | More rooms = more lights |
| TVs and electronics | 50-120 | Often 2+ TVs, computers, gaming systems |
| Cooking (electric range) | 30-60 | More cooking with more occupants |
| Miscellaneous | 40-100 | Chargers, small appliances, standby loads |
HVAC and water heating dominate. With two occupants taking daily showers, hot water usage alone can account for 15-20% of the bill.
How rates vary by state
At a typical 2-bedroom usage of 800 kWh/month, here's how monthly bills compare across selected states based on EIA average residential rates:
| State | Avg Rate (¢/kWh) | Est. Bill at 800 kWh | Deregulated? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | ~43¢ | $344 | No |
| California | ~30¢ | $240 | Partial |
| Massachusetts | ~27¢ | $216 | Yes |
| Connecticut | ~26¢ | $208 | Yes |
| New York | ~22¢ | $176 | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | ~17¢ | $136 | Yes |
| Texas | ~14¢ | $112 | Yes |
| Ohio | ~14¢ | $112 | Yes |
| Florida | ~14¢ | $112 | No |
| Washington | ~11¢ | $88 | No |
| Idaho | ~10¢ | $80 | No |
Source: EIA average residential electricity prices, state-level data. Rates shown are approximate averages.
➤Compare electricity rates in PennsylvaniaLiving with a roommate: what changes
A 2-bedroom apartment with two occupants uses more electricity than a single person would in the same space, but not twice as much:
- HVAC stays roughly constant:Whether one or two people live in the apartment, you're heating and cooling the same space.
- Hot water increases significantly: Two people taking daily showers roughly doubles water heater usage.
- Laundry increases: Twice the clothes, though you can partially offset by running fuller loads.
- Electronics may double: Two computers, two phone chargers, possibly two TVs in different rooms.
- Refrigerator is constant: One fridge, same usage whether one or two people eat from it.
Overall, expect 20-40% higher usage with a roommate compared to living alone in the same apartment — not double.
When 2-bedroom bills run high
If your 2-bedroom bill consistently exceeds $150-$180/month (outside high-rate states or extreme HVAC months), investigate:
- Electric heat in cold climates: Electric resistance heat is expensive. A 2-bedroom with baseboard heat in a cold climate can see winter bills of $200-$350.
- In-unit washer/dryer: Electric dryers are energy hogs. Running 4-6 loads per week can add 100+ kWh/month.
- Old appliances: An aging refrigerator, window AC units, or inefficient water heater can each add $10-$30/month.
- Gaming and computing: A desktop gaming PC running several hours daily can add 50-100+ kWh/month.
- Crypto mining or servers: If anyone in the apartment runs mining hardware or home servers, electricity use can spike dramatically.
How to lower a 2-bedroom electric bill
Reduce usage
- Coordinate HVAC: Agree on thermostat settings with your roommate. Fighting over the thermostat — one person cooling, the other heating — wastes money.
- Run full laundry loads: Fewer loads = less energy. Coordinate laundry schedules to maximize load sizes.
- LED lighting throughout: With more rooms, the savings from LEDs are proportionally larger.
- Smart power strips: Entertainment centers with TVs, gaming consoles, and speakers draw standby power. Smart strips cut power when the main device is off.
- Cold water laundry: Most clothes wash fine in cold water, and you skip the water heating cost.
Reduce your rate
In deregulated states, shopping for a competitive supplier can significantly reduce your bill. At 800 kWh/month, saving 2¢/kWh on your generation rate means $16/month or $192/year. That's often more than you'd save from all the usage-reduction tips combined.
➤Compare supplier rates in your areaFrequently asked questions
Is $150/month a high electric bill for a 2-bedroom apartment?
$150/month is at the high end of normal for a 2-bedroom apartment. It's typical in high-rate states like California, Massachusetts, or Hawaii. It's also common during peak heating or cooling months, especially with electric HVAC. In moderate-rate states during mild weather, $150 suggests higher-than-average usage or an efficiency issue worth investigating.
How much more electricity does a 2-bedroom use than a 1-bedroom?
A 2-bedroom apartment typically uses 40-60% more electricity than a 1-bedroom: roughly 600-1,000 kWh/month vs. 400-700 kWh/month. The increase comes from more square footage to heat and cool, typically more occupants, and often additional appliances. HVAC is the biggest driver — more space means proportionally more heating and cooling load.
Should I split the electric bill equally with my roommate?
Equal splitting is simplest but may not reflect actual usage. If one person works from home while the other is out all day, or if one has a gaming PC while the other uses a laptop, usage differs. Some roommates prefer splitting fixed costs equally and tracking variable usage differences. Others split 50/50 for simplicity and accept minor inequity. Decide based on your relationship and how much the difference matters to each person.
Does having two people double the electric bill?
No. Two people in a 2-bedroom typically use 30-50% more electricity than one person in a 1-bedroom, not 100% more. Many electricity uses don't scale with occupancy: the refrigerator runs regardless, baseline heating and cooling is similar, and lighting doesn't double. The main increases are hot water usage, laundry, additional electronics, and slightly more cooking.
Why is my electric bill high when I'm barely home?
Several always-on loads run whether you're home or not: refrigerator (24/7), water heater maintaining temperature, HVAC maintaining setpoints, electronics in standby, and phantom loads from plugged-in devices. If your bill seems high despite limited time at home, check your HVAC settings (are you heating or cooling an empty apartment?), look for phantom loads, and verify your meter serves only your unit.
