Morning Becomes Electrocuted: Utility Costs Jack up Home Expenses – NMP Skip to main content

Morning Becomes Electrocuted: Utility Costs Jack up Home Expenses

Jun 06, 2017
The next time you turn on a light switch or flush the toilet, be aware that you could be adding to your housing expenses

The next time you turn on a light switch or flush the toilet, be aware that you could be adding to your housing expenses. According to a new white paper published by ATTOM Data Solutions, utility costs—including electricity, natural gas, water and sewer—add 25 percent to monthly housing costs for homeowners and 21 percent to housing costs for renters on average nationwide.
 
ATTOM Data Solutions determined that monthly utility costs require seven percent of average wages on average across 931 counties analyzed for its white paper. When utility costs are included, the cost of buying a median-priced home requires more than the 43 percent of income recommended by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFBP) in 323 of the 931 counties, or 35 percent of the markets analyzed.  
 
But energy efficient green technology solutions can offer a way to cut those costs. The white paper included an analysis of the impact of solar installation on home seller profits in California between 2010 and 2017, with the conclusion that California home sellers with a solar system installed between their original purchase and their sale of the home realized average profits that were more than double the average profits realized by home sellers without a photovoltaic array on their property.
 
“Utility costs are a significant, quantifiable factor contributing to the overall costs and risks involved with owning or renting a home,” said Daren Blomquist, senior vice president at ATTOM Data Solutions. “On the other hand, reducing utility costs—specifically energy costs through the installation of solar—can amplify the wealth-building potential of homeownership.”

 
About the author
Published
Jun 06, 2017
Strong Jobs Report Threatens Mortgage Rate Rally

October hiring more than doubled expectations, pushing Treasury yields higher

Nov 06, 2026
Fed Holds Rates, But Pricing Pressures Persist

Rising Treasury yields and fresh inflation data complicate rate locks, borrower qualification, and lender margins as markets anticipate another hike in December

Oct 29, 2026
Zippy Adds Capital For Manufactured-Home Lending Push

The $20 million investment from Saluda Grade will support expansion beyond 27 states and new loan products across wholesale, retail, and community channels

Oct 16, 2026
Inflation Hits 3.7%, Putting Mortgage Rate Relief At Risk

September’s inflation pickup puts recent rate improvements at risk, potentially eroding affordability gains from lower home prices and seller concessions

Oct 14, 2026
PLACE Acquires Ardley, Expanding Push To Turn Existing Borrowers Into New Loans

The latest deal connects borrower retention technology with Maxwell's origination platform and PLACE's real estate network, creating new opportunities for lenders

Oct 09, 2026
Equifax, TransUnion Launch New Tools To Cut Credit Report Costs

Both bureaus introduce ways to purchase credit scores separately from reports, while Equifax reports growing VantageScore adoption and extends $1 pricing through 2028

Oct 09, 2026