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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
doxo Report Ranks States by Household Bill Burden, From Highest to Lowest
doxo's data shows California is the most expensive state for household bills, while West Virginia remains one of the most affordable SEATTLE, August 14, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The newly released 2025 State-by-State Bill Pay Market Report from doxoINSIGHTS offers an in-depth look at how household bill costs vary across the nation. The report reveals that Americans spend a median of $2,058 per month—approximately 31% of the U.S. median household income of $84,583—on essential bills. Costs vary widely by state, with California, Hawaii, New Jersey, and Massachusetts among the most expensive, while West Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Oklahoma rank as the most affordable. Leveraging doxo's proprietary dataset, which covers 97% of U.S. ZIP codes and 45 bill pay service categories, the report provides Americans with a more accurate and detailed picture. It analyzes median monthly bill payments rather than relying on industry averages or survey-based market estimates. This state-level breakdown reveals how household bills contribute to the overall cost of living across all 50 states. doxo's Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI) provides a consistent basis for comparison nationwide. The 2025 State-by-State Bill Pay Market Report offers resolution at the state level, providing the most comprehensive view into the Bill Pay Economy™. The 2025 report details: Monthly and annual household bill median costs for each state. Breakdowns of the 13 most common household bills: Mortgage, Rent, Auto Loan, Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water & Sewer, Waste & Recycling), Auto Insurance, Cable & Internet, Mobile Phone, Health Insurance (consumer-paid portion), Alarm & Security, and Life Insurance. Key findings include: Californians spend a median of $2,854 each month on the thirteen most common household bills, which is 39% higher than the national median. In contrast, residents of West Virginia spend a median of $1,149 each month, 44% below the national median. Full rankings of the most expensive and most affordable states to live in are available in the complete report. A list of the 10 most expensive and least expensive states is outlined below. 10 Most Expensive States for Household Bills State MedianMonthly Bill1 Cost of BillsIndex (COBI)2 % ofHH Income % +/-National Median California $2,854 139 33% + 39% Hawaii $2,712 132 33% + 32% New Jersey $2,621 127 29% + 27% Massachusetts $2,614 127 29% + 27% Maryland $2,505 122 28% + 22% Washington $2,453 119 29% + 19% New York $2,412 117 31% + 17% Colorado $2,391 116 30% + 16% Connecticut $2,354 114 28% + 14% Alaska $2,276 111 30% + 11% 10 Least Expensive States for Household Bills State MedianMonthly Bill1 Cost of BillsIndex (COBI)2 % ofHH Income % +/-National Median West Virginia $1,149 56 23% - 44% Mississippi $1,502 73 32% - 27% Arkansas $1,539 75 30% - 25% Oklahoma $1,543 75 28% - 25% New Mexico $1,581 77 29% - 23% Kentucky $1,587 77 29% - 23% Alabama 1,601 78 29% - 22% Indiana $1,620 79 27% - 21% Iowa $1,622 79 26% - 21% Kansas $1,624 79 25% - 21% 1 Median Monthly Bill shown above reflects the Median Household Bill Pay Expense for the thirteen most common bills paid monthly, including housing (rent/mortgage). See full report for details. 2 For the Cost of Bills Index (COBI), the number 100 represents the national median, and then, states, counties, and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national median. Data is sourced from the doxoINSIGHTS 2025 U.S. Household Bill Pay Report, reflecting consumer payment data from March 2024 to March 2025. For the latest analysis of U.S. household bill expenses, please visit and select a state to explore state, county, and city data. To view more from doxoINSIGHTS and its 2025 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 The Bill Pay Economy™ 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 10 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. Uncovering an even deeper level of insight into Americans' cost of living, doxo's proprietary Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI), a new feature of doxoINSIGHTS, provides a consistent basis of comparison at the state, county, and city levels. About doxo doxo delivers innovation that transforms the bill pay experience for consumers, billers, and financial technology providers. For over 10M consumers, doxo's all-in-one bill pay makes it simple to organize and pay any bill on any device through a secure checkout. For billers, doxo's network-driven platform enables online and mobile payments with a ridiculously simple integration, radically lower costs, and game-changing features that are unavailable with legacy bill pay vendors. For fintech partners, doxo delivers financial innovations to consumers across 97% of US Zip Codes, paying from more than 8,000 financial institutions to over 120,000 billers in 45+ service categories. For employees, doxo is a creative, ever-learning team that is passionate about building fintech tools that dramatically improve the bill pay experience. For investors, doxo provides an extraordinary opportunity to invest alongside Jackson Square Ventures, MDV, and Bezos Expeditions to disrupt a market that accounts for over $4T of US Household spend. To learn more about America's leading bill pay network, visit View source version on Contacts Media contact Dotted Line Communications for doxoJenny Davispress@
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The 6-Figure Number Americans Think It Takes To Be Financially Comfortable, According to Charles Schwab Survey
How much money do you need to get by without stress? We don't mean in terms of salary, but in terms of total net worth. What's your magic number? Keep in mind, this is the amount of money you feel is needed not to live in luxury, but the amount needed to be at ease. Find Out: Read Next: The Charles Schwab 2025 Modern Wealth Survey, published in July, found that Americans believe the average net worth needed to be 'financially comfortable' in 2025 is $839,000. This is the average number across the board, but when broken down by generations, we see tremendous differences. Boomers said that $943,000 is needed; Gen X said $783,000, millennials said $847,0000 and Gen Z said the average net worth needed to be financially comfortable is $329,0000. What goes into one's definition of financial comfort? Why is $839,000 the average net worth deemed necessary to achieve it? How does that number break down? Consider the following six spending pillars that factor into that figure. Housing The most expensive thing most Americans can buy is a home. And for those who don't own, rent is likely their highest monthly expense. Americans thinking of financial comfort are probably considering how much a home costs. The average single-family home value in the U.S. is $369,147, according to Zillow. Learn More: Food A major aspect of financial comfort is not just having the money to eat but having the money to eat well. In the U.S., a healthy diet is pricey. One study found that following the MyPlate Dietary Guidelines would cost a family of four up to $14,400 a year — and that study was from 2017. In 2025, healthy eating is more expensive due to several factors including inflation, supply chain inefficiencies, climate-change related droughts and, soon, possibly tariffs. Transportation (Car) A lot of major metros make public transportation pretty accessible, but close to 45% of people in the U.S. don't have access to public transportation, so getting around can require a car. Currently the average cost of a new car is close to $50,000 and the average cost of a used car is more than $25,000. Then you've got to tack on the cost of auto insurance and maintenance. You've also got to consider that all cars eventually need to be replaced. Healthcare Americans spend more on healthcare than most other large, wealthy countries, and piling up medical bills they just can't afford to cover in cash is a significant source of U.S. household debt. In 2022, U.S. healthcare spending averaged $13,493 per person. That number went up to around $14,570 in 2023 and is on track to keep going up. Smartphone It doesn't pop up on most financial experts' list of 'essentials,' but let's be real: We're increasingly reliant on smartphones. And they cost a lot — not just to buy upfront, but to use and insure. A 2024 report from doxo found that Americans spend an average of $1,365 per year on mobile phone services, up 2% from 2023. Clothing Nudity laws make it illegal to walk around unclothed so there's no arguing that clothing is an essential. In 2024, the average household spending on clothing per month was about $120 ($1,434 per year). We're already seeing that this will be more in 2025 based on the price impact of tariffs alone. The Grim (Expensive) Reality We've covered six primary spending categories, but we didn't even get to the money needed for your emergency fund (six months of living expenses in a high-yield savings account) or your retirement ($835,453 for 25 years and $1,003,548 for 30 years, on average, in the U.S., with costs varying dramatically between states). So, while $839,000 is a lot of money, you have to wonder whether it really would mean you're set for a financially comfortable life. Based on how expensive essentials are, and the fact that when we say 'financially comfortable' we're most certainly thinking about a life that includes entertainment, travel and miscellaneous spending. Is $839,000 really enough in 2025? More From GOBankingRates 3 Luxury SUVs That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Summer 2025 Here's the Minimum Salary Required To Be Considered Upper Class in 2025 7 Tax Loopholes the Rich Use To Pay Less and Build More Wealth This article originally appeared on The 6-Figure Number Americans Think It Takes To Be Financially Comfortable, According to Charles Schwab Survey
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Looking To Move To Another State? These Are the 10 Most and Least Expensive for Household Bills
Household bills can add up in a hurry and take a big bite out of your income if you don't watch them closely. For proof, consider that the typical American household spends nearly $25,000 a year on the 13 most essential bills, according to a recent report from bill-pay service doxo. That adds up to $2,058 a month — or roughly 40% of the typical U.S. income. Read More: Find Out: Depending on where you live, household bills can be much bigger or smaller than average. The doxo 2025 U.S. Household Bill Pay Report found that the difference between the most and least expensive states for mortgage payments alone adds up to $1,638 a month. For its study, doxo analyzed tens of millions of bill payments across 97% of U.S. zip codes and all U.S. income and regional demographic segments. Researchers looked at household bills across 13 expense categories to determine the median bill in each state. Individual expense categories were as follows: Mortgage: $1,775 per month national median Rent: $1,453 Auto loan: $470 Cable & internet: $121 Electricity: $120 Auto insurance: $105 Mobile phone: $96 Water & sewer: $86 Alarm & security: $74 Health insurance (consumer direct portion): $72 Gas: $71 Waste/recycling: $70 Life insurance: $60 The differences between states can be stark. For example, the doxo report found that residents in California spend a median of $2,854 a month on household bills, CNBC reported — or roughly 39% above the national average. In contrast, residents of West Virginia spend a median of $1,149 a month, or 44% lower than the average. Discover Next: If you plan to move to another state, you might want to research how much you can expect to spend on household bills in different states, and how much you can afford. Depending on where you live, you could earn thousands of dollars a year compared with other places. Here are the five most expensive states in the country for household bills, according to doxo data, along with the median costs of four of the costliest bills. Keep in mind that individual expenses can be much higher in some parts of a state than others, which skews the overall numbers. State Mortgage Rent Cable/internet Electricity California $2,657 $2,028 $116 $125 Hawaii $2,494 $2,068 $115 $197 New Jersey $2,533 $1,703 $124 $124 Massachusetts $2,386 $1,783 $100 $136 Maryland $1,952 $1,668 $125 $150 On the other end of the spectrum, these are the five least expensive states for household bills. State Mortgage Rent Cable/internet Electricity West Virginia $1,019 $870 $105 $121 Mississippi $1,129 $945 $129 $125 Oklahoma $1,237 $998 $132 $117 Arkansas $1,124 $921 $99 $109 New Mexico $1,339 $1,047 $122 $89 Household bills are one of the largest ongoing expenses you'll face, and where you live can significantly impact how much you spend each month. Whether you're cutting costs, relocating, or just trying to stay ahead of inflation, staying aware of how your household bills compare to national and state averages can help you make smarter money decisions. Amen Oyiboke-Osifo contributed to this article. More From GOBankingRates 10 Unreliable SUVs To Stay Away From Buying This article originally appeared on Looking To Move To Another State? These Are the 10 Most and Least Expensive for Household Bills Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
George Kamel: Lower Your Monthly Bills With These 3 Easy Steps
A recent report from the bill-pay service doxo found that American households put nearly $25,000 each year toward essential household expenses. These include various subscriptions like your internet, phone and cable services, which tend to come with ongoing price increases. Read Next: Learn More: According to money expert George Kamel, you can save on these costs without resorting to giving them up or switching providers. In a YouTube video, he used his experience negotiating with companies like AT&T to lay out a simple three-step strategy you can use to lower your monthly bills. Head to the provider's website to look for a support hotline or an online chat and decide which method you want to use. Kamel recommended talking to support in the early afternoons on weekdays since that's when you'll have a better chance of reaching a real person and not waiting too long on hold. Prepare before reaching out. Kamel said to have your latest bill with your account details and the monthly billed amount. You should also note any administrative or service fees that may be worth pointing out. Once you're ready, you can turn to a basic script. 'When a customer support agent picks up the phone or joins your chat, simply start out by saying that, while you're happy with your service, your monthly bill is getting too expensive, and ask if there's anything they can do about it,' he advised. Consider This: According to Kamel, you'll often need to escalate things to the retention department, which has the power to offer deals so that you'll stay with the company. Otherwise, you'll keep negotiating with the customer support agent and get a manager involved if needed. Kamel recommended bringing up promotions you've seen for new customers and better prices competitors have advertised for comparable services. When negotiating, be specific about the price difference and its importance in your decision. The Ramsey personality gave an example of how you might do this: 'Hey, I see this is being offered — the same internet plan for 12 bucks less per month. I can't ignore a deal that good. Can you match it or beat it?' If you land a deal you're happy with at this stage, you'll still need to continue to the third step to clarify some details and avoid potential problems later. But if the retention department or manager wouldn't give you a discount, you might still try negotiating free upgrades or fee waivers, or you can try the negotiation process again at another time. Kamel said another worker might have something you'll like better. He also suggested simply canceling with the provider if you're unhappy and haven't had success with negotiating. While canceling is more extreme, it can have an unexpected positive effect. 'A lot of these companies have win-back teams that offer even better deals a few days later,' Kamel said. 'So if you can cancel, it may be in your best interest to play a little hard to get.' Kamel mentioned some questions that you should ask about your new offer before you hang up or end the chat. For example, find out whether the price will go back up at a certain time and if the provider will be charging any extra fees. It's also important to ask for written confirmation of what the company is offering you. Kamel's negotiation script guide recommended getting an email or screenshot, along with confirmation that your account shows the changed rate. That way, you have proof in case the company later charges you a different price or claims there's no special offer. More From GOBankingRates 4 Affordable Car Brands You Won't Regret Buying in 2025 This article originally appeared on George Kamel: Lower Your Monthly Bills With These 3 Easy Steps Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
George Kamel: Lower Your Monthly Bills With These 3 Easy Steps
A recent report from the bill-pay service doxo found that American households put nearly $25,000 each year toward essential household expenses. These include various subscriptions like your internet, phone and cable services, which tend to come with ongoing price increases. Read Next: Learn More: According to money expert George Kamel, you can save on these costs without resorting to giving them up or switching providers. In a YouTube video, he used his experience negotiating with companies like AT&T to lay out a simple three-step strategy you can use to lower your monthly bills. Head to the provider's website to look for a support hotline or an online chat and decide which method you want to use. Kamel recommended talking to support in the early afternoons on weekdays since that's when you'll have a better chance of reaching a real person and not waiting too long on hold. Prepare before reaching out. Kamel said to have your latest bill with your account details and the monthly billed amount. You should also note any administrative or service fees that may be worth pointing out. Once you're ready, you can turn to a basic script. 'When a customer support agent picks up the phone or joins your chat, simply start out by saying that, while you're happy with your service, your monthly bill is getting too expensive, and ask if there's anything they can do about it,' he advised. Consider This: According to Kamel, you'll often need to escalate things to the retention department, which has the power to offer deals so that you'll stay with the company. Otherwise, you'll keep negotiating with the customer support agent and get a manager involved if needed. Kamel recommended bringing up promotions you've seen for new customers and better prices competitors have advertised for comparable services. When negotiating, be specific about the price difference and its importance in your decision. The Ramsey personality gave an example of how you might do this: 'Hey, I see this is being offered — the same internet plan for 12 bucks less per month. I can't ignore a deal that good. Can you match it or beat it?' If you land a deal you're happy with at this stage, you'll still need to continue to the third step to clarify some details and avoid potential problems later. But if the retention department or manager wouldn't give you a discount, you might still try negotiating free upgrades or fee waivers, or you can try the negotiation process again at another time. Kamel said another worker might have something you'll like better. He also suggested simply canceling with the provider if you're unhappy and haven't had success with negotiating. While canceling is more extreme, it can have an unexpected positive effect. 'A lot of these companies have win-back teams that offer even better deals a few days later,' Kamel said. 'So if you can cancel, it may be in your best interest to play a little hard to get.' Kamel mentioned some questions that you should ask about your new offer before you hang up or end the chat. For example, find out whether the price will go back up at a certain time and if the provider will be charging any extra fees. It's also important to ask for written confirmation of what the company is offering you. Kamel's negotiation script guide recommended getting an email or screenshot, along with confirmation that your account shows the changed rate. That way, you have proof in case the company later charges you a different price or claims there's no special offer. More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Says Trump's Executive Order To Lower Medication Costs Has a 'Real Shot' -- Here's Why This article originally appeared on George Kamel: Lower Your Monthly Bills With These 3 Easy Steps
