SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--doxo, the innovative web and mobile bill pay service, today released its 2022 State by State Bill Pay Market report, a look at the $4.6 trillion U.S. consumer bill pay market, with specific state level break out of the 10 most common household bill payment categories. The report, which reflects actual bill payment activity across more than 97% U.S. zip codes, reveals the most and least expensive states for Americans to live based on average spend per month on actual household bill payments. While the average U.S. household spends $24,032 annually on bills, 36% of the U.S. household median income ($67,521) and roughly $2,003 per month (up 6% year over year, in line with the increase in total consumer spending as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis for the same period), plenty of states rank well above or below this figure. Hawaii, California, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Maryland top the list as the most expensive, while West Virginia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Indiana and Kentucky were the most affordable.
This unique view of relative expenses, and how much of household income is required to cover bills in each state, is especially relevant given recent strains on household budgets due to inflation. Consumers are indeed feeling the 6% year over year increase in the amount paid on household bills. A recent doxoINSIGHTS study found that 9 out of 10 Americans (89%) have seen a jump in their household bills over the past 12 months, with those in the utilities category rising the most. The study also found that 87% of Americans worry about their ability to pay their bills if inflation rates continue to rise.
“From the impact of inflation on household bills, to sky-high gas prices, to fears of a looming recession, Americans are feeling the squeeze on their budgets,” said Jim Kreyenhagen, VP of Marketing and Consumer Services at doxo. “Through doxoINSIGHTS, we provide consumers, businesses, and financial institutions with access to the broadest and most transparent data available on actual household spending for critical bills. Armed with this data and the doxo bill pay app, consumers can improve their financial health with more informed decisions and tools like reminders and financial protections. Additionally, the service providers and financial institutions that serve them can better align with their needs, especially during these trying times.”
The findings outlined in the 2022 State by State Bill Pay Market report include, for each state, the total monthly spend for bills each month, as well as a breakout of each of the ten most common household bills, including: Mortgage; Rent; Auto Loan; Utilities (electric, gas, water & sewer, and waste & recycling); Auto Insurance; Cable & Internet & Phone; Health Insurance (consumer paid portion); Mobile Phone; Alarm & Security; and Life Insurance.
The report shows that Hawaiians spend $2,911 each month on the ten most common household bills, 45.4% above the national average. At the other end of the spectrum, households in West Virginia spend an average of $1,452 across the top ten categories, 27.5% below the average nationwide. The 10 most expensive and least expensive states to live are outlined below.
10 Most Expensive States for Household Bills
State |
Monthly Bill Expense per Household* |
Percent of Household Income |
Percent +/- National Average |
$2,911 |
44% |
+45.4% |
|
$2,649 |
41% |
+32.3% |
|
$2,610 |
36% |
+30.3% |
|
$2,511 |
36% |
+25.4% |
|
$2,456 |
34% |
+22.7% |
|
$2,380 |
35% |
+18.8% |
|
$2,361 |
39% |
+17.9% |
|
$2,334 |
36% |
+16.6% |
|
$2,277 |
37% |
+13.7% |
|
$2,256 |
35% |
+12.6% |
10 Least Expensive States for Household Bills
State |
Monthly Bill Expense per Household* |
Percent of Household Income |
Percent +/- National Average |
$1,696 |
34% |
-15.3% |
|
$1,688 |
41% |
-15.7% |
|
$1,663 |
41% |
-17.0% |
|
$1,654 |
35% |
-17.4% |
|
$1,634 |
37% |
-18.4% |
|
$1,627 |
39% |
-18.8% |
|
$1,607 |
34% |
-19.8% |
|
$1,559 |
42% |
-22.2% |
|
$1,552 |
40% |
-22.5% |
|
$1,452 |
38% |
-27.5% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage). See report for details.
To view more from doxoINSIGHTS and its 2022 State by State Bill Pay Market report including a full breakdown of the amount paid in household bills across all of the 50 states, click here.
About doxoINSIGHTS
doxoINSIGHTS provides direct insight into household financial health and spending activity by leveraging consumer surveys and doxo’s unique aggregate bill pay data set, comprising actual bill payment activity to confirmed household service providers across the country. doxo data brings together the broadest available data set for analyzing actual household bill payment activity, pulling from over 7 million paying consumers across over 97% of U.S. zip codes. doxo’s payment network covers over 120,000 billers in 45 different service categories and enables payments using bank accounts, credit cards or debit cards. This uniquely broad statistical foundation powers doxoINSIGHTS reports – uncovering key trends for household financial health and bill payment behavior.
About doxo
doxo provides simple, secure all-in-one bill payment to any biller, with any payment method, on any device. A doxoPLUS subscription adds free bank payments and five essential financial protections that boost household financial health. Through these services, doxo currently serves over seven million users who can make payments to over 120,000 local and national businesses, making doxo the largest bill pay directory in the nation. Billers on the network get paid directly, fast and free – and consumers have complete bill pay independence over when and how they pay their bills. doxo investors include Jackson Square Ventures, MDV, Sigma Partners, and Bezos Expeditions. doxo is based in Seattle, WA. For more information visit www.doxo.com.
