Average electricity bill for 2 people

Across the four cities below, a two-person household uses between 13.3 and 14.3 kWh a day. Where you live moves that figure more than almost anything else you can control.

Benchmark electricity use for 2 people, by city
City kWh a daykWh a yearEstimated yearly bill
Adelaide 13.85,046$2,944
Sydney 14.35,237$2,516
Melbourne 13.34,840$1,925
Brisbane 14.05,126$2,215

Benchmark source published: December 2020 How we work this out

What is different about a two-person household

Two people is the most common Australian household and the one most "average electricity bill" figures are quietly describing. Adding a second person lifts total use by about 60%, not 100%, because heating, cooling, refrigeration and standby load are already being paid for.

Because two-person households vary so little in their fixed loads, a two-person bill that sits well above the benchmark usually points at something specific: electric hot water, a pool pump, or a second fridge or freezer still running in a garage.

Season by season

Kilowatt hours per quarter for 2 people.

Benchmark electricity use for 2 people in kWh per quarter
City SummerAutumnWinterSpring
Adelaide 1,2251,1881,5261,107
Sydney 1,2781,2321,5651,162
Melbourne 1,1121,1251,4931,110
Brisbane 1,3931,2811,2501,202

Check your own bill

We use this to compare you with households in your area.
How many people live in your home?
The total amount, including any daily supply charge.
How long was this bill for?
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days
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kWh
Electricity use changes a lot between summer and winter, so we compare you with the same time of year. Leave it blank if this is your latest bill.

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