Quick answer: The average electric bill for a 1-bedroom apartment is about $90 to $134 per month, based on 500 to 750 kWh of usage at the 2026 national average rate of 17.91 cents per kWh (EIA, March 2026). In California, the same apartment costs far more, because California residential rates average 35.25 cents per kWh, nearly double the national figure. A California 1-bedroom using 500 kWh runs roughly $155 to $180 a month, and more in an inland summer. Where you live, and which utility serves you, matters more than any other factor.
Key takeaways
- National average for a 1-bedroom: about $90 to $134 per month at 500 to 750 kWh of usage
- California 1-bedroom: roughly $150 to $185 per month, because state rates average 35.25 cents per kWh versus 17.91 nationally
- A typical 1-bedroom apartment uses 500 to 750 kWh per month; heavy AC, electric heat, or an EV charger push it higher
- Your utility decides a lot: a 1-bedroom on LADWP costs meaningfully less than the same unit on SCE or PG&E
- Apartments use 40 to 60 percent less power than houses thanks to smaller size and shared walls
What a 1-bedroom apartment actually uses
The first thing to understand: your electric bill is usage times rate, plus fixed charges. Both halves matter, and most articles only give you the national average of each. A typical 1-bedroom apartment uses 500 to 750 kWh per month. Run the AC hard through a hot summer, heat with electric baseboards in winter, or charge an EV, and that climbs past 850 kWh.
Apartments are naturally efficient. They use 40 to 60 percent less electricity than a single-family house because they are smaller and share walls, which insulate. That is why a 1-bedroom bill is well below the roughly $137 US household average.
National 1-bedroom apartment electric bill by usage, at the 2026 average rate
| Monthly usage | Bill at 17.91 ¢/kWh (US avg) | Typical situation |
|---|---|---|
| 400 kWh | ~$72 | Efficient unit, mild climate, gas heat |
| 500 kWh | ~$90 | Average 1-bedroom, moderate use |
| 650 kWh | ~$116 | Regular AC or some electric appliances |
| 750 kWh | ~$134 | Warm climate, daily AC |
| 900 kWh | ~$161 | Electric heat or heavy summer cooling |
Rate: EIA Electric Power Monthly national residential average, 17.91 cents per kWh, March 2026 (EIA). Add fixed monthly charges, which vary by utility.
Why California costs so much more
Direct answer: California’s residential electricity averages 35.25 cents per kWh, nearly double the national 17.91 cents (EIA, April 2026). Same apartment, same usage, close to twice the bill. A 1-bedroom using 500 kWh that costs about $90 nationally costs roughly $155 to $180 in California.
1-bedroom apartment bill, California vs national, by usage
| Monthly usage | US average (17.91¢) | California (35.25¢) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400 kWh | ~$72 | ~$141 | +$69 |
| 500 kWh | ~$90 | ~$176 | +$86 |
| 650 kWh | ~$116 | ~$229 | +$113 |
| 750 kWh | ~$134 | ~$264 | +$130 |
California figures at the state average residential rate; your actual rate depends on your utility and plan. Californians use less power on average than the national household, which softens the blow, but the rate gap is real.
Your utility matters more than your ZIP code
Direct answer: within California, which utility serves your building can swing the bill by 10 cents or more per kWh. California is not one electricity market; it is a patchwork of investor-owned and municipal utilities with very different prices.
Approximate California residential rates by utility, mid-2026
| Utility | Serves | Approx. residential rate | 500 kWh 1-bedroom bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| LADWP | City of Los Angeles | ~24 to 26 ¢/kWh | ~$125 to $135 |
| SMUD | Sacramento | ~20 to 24 ¢/kWh | ~$110 to $125 |
| PG&E | Northern & Central CA | ~40+ ¢/kWh | ~$200+ |
| SCE | Much of Southern CA | ~36+ ¢/kWh | ~$185+ |
| SDG&E | San Diego area | ~40+ ¢/kWh | ~$200+ |
Rates are approximate and change quarterly; confirm on your utility’s current tariff page. Municipal utilities (LADWP, SMUD, Pasadena) generally run cheaper than the investor-owned utilities (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E). We break down specific cities in our Granada Hills and Pasadena rate guides.
The lesson for renters: a 1-bedroom in Los Angeles on LADWP can cost $70 to $90 less per month than an identical unit an hour away on SCE or PG&E, for the exact same usage. If you are apartment hunting and utilities are not included, the serving utility is a real line item worth asking about.
What drives a high 1-bedroom bill
Direct answer: the big movers are air conditioning, electric heat, and electric water heating, in that order for most California renters. Common culprits behind a bill that feels too high: an inefficient window AC unit instead of central air, old appliances left by the landlord, an electric water heater in an older building, poor insulation and drafty windows, and space heaters in winter. In California specifically, summer AC in inland areas like the Inland Empire or Central Valley is the single biggest swing, because that load lands during the utility’s most expensive peak-rate hours.
Practical ways to trim it: set the AC to 78°F instead of 72°F, since each degree saves roughly 3 to 5 percent on cooling; use a programmable thermostat if the landlord allows; run laundry and the dishwasher off-peak (generally after 8 or 9 pm in California); and swap to LED bulbs if the unit still has old ones. Our guide to how many kWh per day is normal shows where the power actually goes.
Renters and solar: worth knowing for later
Most renters cannot install solar on a unit they do not own, so this is not a pitch. But it is worth knowing why California bills are what they are: the same high rates that make your apartment bill sting are what make owned solar so valuable for California homeowners, with paybacks around 5 to 7 years even without the federal tax credit, as we cover in our 5kW cost and output guide. If you buy a home down the line, the math that hurts you as a renter starts working for you as an owner.
FAQ
What is the average electric bill for a 1-bedroom apartment?
About $90 to $134 per month nationally, based on 500 to 750 kWh of usage at the 2026 average rate of 17.91 cents per kWh. In California, expect roughly $150 to $185 for the same usage, because state rates run nearly double the national average.
How many kWh does a 1-bedroom apartment use?
Typically 500 to 750 kWh per month. Usage climbs above 850 kWh with heavy air conditioning, electric heat, or EV charging, and drops below 500 in a small, efficient unit with gas heat and mild weather.
Why is my 1-bedroom electric bill so high?
The usual causes are heavy air conditioning, electric heating, an electric water heater, inefficient appliances, poor insulation, or high local rates. In California, summer AC during peak-rate hours is the biggest single driver, and PG&E, SCE, or SDG&E service costs more than a municipal utility.
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment electric bill in California?
Roughly $150 to $185 per month for typical usage at the state average of 35.25 cents per kWh, and more in inland areas with heavy summer AC. Your utility matters: LADWP and SMUD run cheaper than PG&E, SCE, or SDG&E.
Is the electric bill higher in a 1-bedroom or a 2-bedroom apartment?
A 2-bedroom typically costs 20 to 30 percent more, using 650 to 1,000 kWh per month versus 500 to 750 for a 1-bedroom, because of the larger space and usually more occupants and appliances.
Which California utility has the cheapest electricity?
Among the major providers, municipal utilities like SMUD and LADWP generally have lower residential rates than the investor-owned PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E. Your building’s location determines which one serves you; it is not something you can choose as a renter.