Utilities in the USA: how much and for what we pay in Houston
'05.02.2018'
No matter how much people pay for utilities, they probably will always complain. Is not it? In America, the same story.
All utility bills in Houston cost us $ 300 / month (house 1682 sq ft = 156 sqm). For comparison, the national average per apartment is 915 sq ft (= 85 sq. M) for all. utilities (gas, electricity, water) the family pays $ 148, i.e. with our area on average paying $ 272. So we overpay $ 28 per month!
This shows how much you will pay on average for an apartment with a different number of bedrooms (1BR - 1 bedroom, or our 2-room; 2BR - 2-bedroom, or our 3-room; etc.)
Well, now on the fad.
Electricity
Costs: from $ 75 (in winter) to $ 220 (in summer), on average $ 150.
The cost of summer is high, because in Houston, the temperature rises to 40 degrees Celsius. Without air conditioning, life is impossible here! Well, in winter, the cost would be even lower than $ 75, perhaps, if we did not include New Year's garlands and Christmas trees.
At night, we leave the light above the front door turned on for security purposes (they say, someone is at home). Before me, my husband left the lights on throughout the house all night, and sometimes left the TV for dogs on when he was at work. Yes, for dogs. Ask nothing.
The stove and dryer are electric too.
Gas
Costs: From $ 20 (in summer) to $ 70 (in winter), on average $ 45.
With the same intensity as the air conditioner in the summer, the heater works in the winter. There is no central heating, and the rooms are heated by air. In winter, the temperature in Houston sometimes even drops below 0 degrees Celsius + with our humidity it feels like everything is -10 degrees. In addition to the heater gas consumes a fireplace, which is included in the mood, not often.
Water
Costs: From $ 70 to $ 130 for 3 people, an average of $ 100.
I do not know for what reasons the cost varies. On average, hospital water consumption is 2 ths. Halons per person, but we somehow use 8 ths. Halons for three. Maybe too clean?
As I wrote in an article about Russian-American families (read the blog “Russian-American families - features of survival"), our machine erases at least 1 once a day and takes 1-2 shower once a day.
The cost of water includes garbage collection - $ 26.
And now - the most interesting! We will carry out-with races-s.
Take the average office worker in Houston.
His average salary is about $2300 clean per month, and on utility payments goes $300, i.e 13% from his salary.
And what percentage of salary do you pay for utilities? Sharing in the comments!
Oksana Bryant, blog author OKS-BRYANT
