And was there a 13th tribe?
While one technically could live without electricity, gas, water, and services like garbage collection, life would be a lot harder. The cost of utilities varies around the world, as does income. What may seem like not a lot of money for some people, can actually be a fortune for others. In the end, it's all proportional to how much a person earns in any given country.
In this gallery, we look at the average cost of utilities in a number of countries. The calculations are based on a 915-square-foot (85 sqm) apartment, which is roughly the size of a regular two-bedroom apartment. All prices are in US dollars. Click on.
Iran is the cheapest country when it comes to utility bills. The nation subsidizes a great part of its energy costs, so the average amount paid per month comes in at around $15.74.
India is one of the world’s most affordable countries when it comes to utilities, averaging about $31.49 per month. This is about 5.3% of the nation's average monthly salary after tax.
The country is the largest producer of natural gas and oil in the Asia-Pacific region, not to mention coal. The average utility cost for Malaysians comes in at $47.76.
The average monthly utilities cost for a two-bedroom apartment is pretty high, at around 11.8% of the average monthly net salary. Peruvians pay around $49.14 for utilities every month.
While power and water prices have increased substantially in 2024, the average utility bills still come in at a manageable 5.6% of China’s average net monthly salary. Chinese consumers pay about $52.55 a month for utilities.
Mexicans have a great part of their electricity bill subsidized by the government. However, the country struggles with power outages. Water shortages are also a problem for Mexicans, who pay an average of $59.02 per month in utilities.
The South American nation may only pay about $62.99 per month in utilities, but this represents about 15.4% of the average monthly salary. Drought has impacted electricity production and has consequently increased prices. Brazil also has one of the highest natural gas prices in the world.
While energy is partly subsidized in the country, the average utility bill still comes in at $66.72. Taking into account that the average monthly net salary in Indonesia is around $318.80, that’s quite a lot.
The country enjoyed pretty affordable utilities up until April 2024, when President Javier Milei's government increased the prices as part of its austerity plan. The average cost of utilities in Argentina is now $68.75 per month.
The average utility monthly cost for a two-bedroom apartment is the equivalent of around 22.1% of the average monthly salary. Colombians pay around $78.74 every month in utilities.
The country’s natural gas reserves contribute to low utility prices. Although prices have soared since the conflict with Ukraine began, Russians still pay around $81.28 per month.
With about 27.2% of the average monthly salary going towards utilities, Filipinos are among those with the highest proportional utility costs. The country has one of the most expensive electricity bills in Asia. In total, utilities come in at $103.50 per month.
Since the mid 1990s, water and electricity prices have risen around five times faster than inflation. Today, South Africans pay an average of $104.77 per month in utilities.
The average monthly cost of utilities in New Zealand is $137.19, which is just 4.7% of the average monthly salary. The country benefits from over 80% of electricity being generated from renewable sources.
Energy prices rose this year and are expected to rise again in 2025. Spanish consumers allocate around 7.7% of their monthly wage to utilities, which come in at around $140.18 a month.
While energy prices have risen in the last couple of years, the monthly utility bill of $145.27 is still affordable, at around 5.2% of the average monthly salary.
Singapore has rather expensive energy prices. In fact, natural gas and electricity fares are the most expensive in Asia. Still, the $155.60 bill only represents 3.7% of the average monthly salary.
The Japanese government subsidized part of their popultion's energy bill, which comes in at $171.33 a month.
The UAE is a major fossil fuel producer, so energy prices are relatively low, compared to other nations. The $187.33 monthly bill is just 5.6% of the average monthly salary.
Electricity prices have risen Down Under. Water prices are among the most expensive in the world. Still, the average Australian pays around $193.32 per month in total, which comes in at just 5.2% of the average monthly salary.
French consumers pay around $196.79 per month in utilities for a regular two-bedroom apartment. This value represents about 7.9% of the average monthly salary.
The average monthly cost for utilities in Belgium is $202.28. The country has been struggling with high inflation rates. Water prices, in particular, have increased.
American consumers pay around $206.97 a month for utilities for a regular two-bedroom apartment. This is about 4.7% of the typical net monthly salary in the country.
The Island nation relies mostly on imported energy. The monthly bills come in at around $223.17, which is about 7.3% of the average monthly wage.
Switzerland pays a lot for its energy. In fact, the country has one of the most expensive water rates in Europe. Despite this, salaries are quite high in the country. The $245.32 monthly bill only represents 3.7% of what Swiss consumers take home every month.
The European nation has its citizens paying a hefty bill of $256.56 for utilities per month. But in Luxembourg, that’s just 4.5% of the average net monthly salary.
Poland is one of the most affected nations by the Russia-Ukraine conflict when it comes to energy prices. They now stand at around $263.77 per month, which is about 17.9% of the average salary.
The UK also saw soaring natural gas and electricity prices in 2024. The average utility monthly bill is now $309.64 a month. This is about 10% of the average monthly wage.
Natural gas prices in particular have increased in Germany. Consumers are now spending about 10.7% of their monthly income to pay for utilities, which cost around $320.35 a month.
Austria tops the list when it comes to the cost of utilities, reaching a whooping $351.67 per month. The country heavily relies on Russian gas. The hefty energy bill represents 13.7% of the monthly net salary.
Sources: (Numbeo) (Love Money)
See also: Simple tips to curb energy costs
The average cost of utilities around the world
In some countries, a large chunk of the salary goes towards utility bills
LIFESTYLE Money
While one technically could live without electricity, gas, water, and services like garbage collection, life would be a lot harder. The cost of utilities varies around the world, as does income. What may seem like not a lot of money for some people, can actually be a fortune for others. In the end, it's all proportional to how much a person earns in any given country.
In this gallery, we look at the average cost of utilities in a number of countries. The calculations are based on a 915-square-foot (85 sqm) apartment, which is roughly the size of a regular two-bedroom apartment. All prices are in US dollars. Click on.