The Most Expensive States For Household Bills

How much do you spend each month on household bills?

According to a new bill pay report from digital bill paying service provider doxo, the answer is about $1,889 each month. That comes to $22,666 a year for the average U.S. household. The report is a state by state look at how much consumers are paying across the most common bill categories. 

The bill categories are: mortgage, rent, auto loan, utilities (electric, gas, water/sewer, and waste/recycling), auto insurance, cable/internet/phone, health insurance, cell phone, alarm/security, and life insurance. 

Aside from housing, the most common bills households report having to pay include: cell phone (94% of households have this bill), auto insurance (82%), cable/internet (82%) and utilities (78%).

Hawaii tops the list

The Aloha State takes first place for being the most expensive state when it comes to paying monthly bills. Residents of Hawaii spend $2,731 each month on bills - that’s 44.6% more than the national average. The monthly spend amounts to 41% of household income for Hawaiians. 

When it comes to housing, Hawaiians average monthly mortgage payment is $1,878 and the average rent comes in at $1,617. The bill that 98% of residents report having to pay each month is their cell phone. This bill payment comes in at an average of $128 for Hawaiians, while the national average is just $103.  

The most expensive cities in Hawaii when it comes to average monthly bill spend (minus housing) are Kahului, urban Honolulu, Kapaa and Hilo. 

Household income spent on bills

If you look at the amount spent on bills as a percentage of household income, Louisiana tops the list. Residents of the Bayou State spend an average of $1,835 per month on recurring bills, but it accounts for 42% of household income. 

Florida, Montana and Mississippi come in second with a reported 42% of household income spent on bills. 

10 most expensive states for monthly bills

Here is the list of the most expensive states for household recurring bills. Included is the total spent on household bills per month, plus the percent of household income that spend amounts to.

1. Hawaii

Household bills: $2,731

Percent of income: 41%

2. New Jersey

Household bills: $2,562

Percent of income: 36%

3. California

Household bills: $2,529

Percent of income: 39%

4. Alaska

Household bills: $2,484

Percent of income: 38%

5. Massachusetts

Household bills: $2,464

Percent of income: 36%

6. Maryland

Household bills: $2,536

Percent of income: 33%

7. Connecticut

Household bills: $2,311

Percent of income: 34%

8. New York

Household bills: $2,252

Percent of income: 37%

9. Washington

Household bills: $2,199

Percent of income: 36%

10. New Hampshire

Household bills: $2,188

Percent of income: 34%

10 least expensive states for monthly bills

1. West Virginia

Household bills: $1,485

Percent of income: 39%

2. Arkansas

Household bills: $1,534

Percent of income: 40%

3. Mississippi

Household bills: $1,567

Percent of income: 42%

4. Indiana

Household bills: $1,597

Percent of income: 34%

5. New Mexico

Household bills: $1,608

Percent of income: 40%

6. Missouri

Household bills: $1,612

Percent of income: 34%

7. Oklahoma

Household bills: $1,619

Percent of income: 37%

8. Kentucky 

Household bills: $1,622

Percent of income: 39%

9. Alabama

Household bills: $1,655

Percent of income: 40%

10.  Nebraska

Household bills: $1,663

Percent of income: 33%

Source: doxo 2021 United States of Bill Pay Report