Quarterly Share of Wallet Tracker: U.S. Utilities - July 2026

Average Household Utility Costs Rise 2.4% in Q2 2026

Average monthly residential electric, gas and water utility bills total $428 in Q2 2026, up 2.4% from Q1 2026
The pace of the rising cost of gas bills slowed from Q1 but was still up 10.6%, while water bills declined
Electric utilities account for 6.2% of share of wallet with a nationwide monthly average of $192

Executive Summary:

As part of its ongoing analysis of customer experience with residential utilities, JD Power tracks the average prices customers pay for electric, gas and water services nationwide. This average price data is tracked in four waves over the course of the year, which are roughly in line with calendar quarters. The following are key highlights from the Q2 2026 analysis.

Average Household Utility Cost Rise in Q2 2026

The average amount paid for monthly residential electric ($192), gas ($146) and water ($90) was $428 in the second quarter of 2026. That’s an increase of 2.4% ($10) since Q1 2026. On an annualized basis, average monthly utility bills are up 0.9% ($4) from Q2 2025.

Electric Utilities Continue to Claim Largest Percentage of Wallet Share

Average monthly residential electric bills were $192 in Q2 2026, up 3.2% from Q1 2026 and up 4.3% from Q2 2025 ($184). The average monthly residential gas bill was $146 and the average monthly residential water bill was $90 in Q2 2026.

Gas Prices Trend Up

The average monthly residential gas utility bill was $146 in Q2 2026, which represents a 10.6% ($14) increase over Q1 2026 ($132). The pace of residential gas utility bills’ growth slowed slightly from last quarter but still represents the largest utility share of growth this quarter.

Water Prices Trend Down

The average monthly residential water utility bill was $90 in Q2 2026, down 10% ($10) from Q1 2026 ($100) and down 1% ($1) from Q2 2025 ($99). This is the lowest average monthly water bill cost since Q1 2023.

Total Share of Wallet

Monthly utility bills have come to occupy a significant share of consumers’ recurring household expenses. Based on a median annual household income of $83,730^[1], monthly electric, gas and water bills now account for 6.2% of utility customers’ household income.

Find out More

This JD Power Quarterly Share of Wallet Tracker for residential utilities is based on data and insights drawn from the JD Power U.S. Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study, the JD Power U.S. Gas Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study and the JD Power U.S. Water Utility Residential Custom Satisfaction Study.

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