Summary
The article discusses a report on utility bill costs across U.S. states, highlighting that some states have significantly higher bills than others. It mentions that Maryland has the highest average utility bills, while South Dakota has the lowest. The rising cost of utilities is contributing to financial concerns for many Americans living paycheck to paycheck.
Key Facts
- Americans spend $532 billion annually on utility bills.
- The average U.S. household pays a median utility bill of $347 per month.
- Maryland has the highest average utility bills at $546 per month.
- South Dakota has the lowest average utility bills at $280 per month.
- High utility costs are often found in deregulated states where prices are set through market mechanisms.
- Utility costs can be underreported or misreported in aggregate data.
- Rising utility costs are part of broader financial pressures for many Americans.
