Average gas and electricity bills in the UK
Having an idea of average energy bill costs can help you to keep track of your bills and compare prices with energy providers. In this guide, we show you the current average gas and electricity prices.
Key points
Your actual bill cost will depend on factors such as house size, location, and usage.
What are the average energy bills in the UK?
A typical household using a standard amount of gas and electricity and paying via direct debit will see an average annual bill of £1,723[2] due to the current energy price cap.
This energy price cap rise will affect households across the UK on a standard variable rate energy tariff.
Energy prices can go up and down and your gas and electricity bill could be higher or lower, depending on how much you use, the size of your house, and where you live in the UK.
What are the average electricity bills?
Under the current energy price cap, the average electricity bill for a medium household in the UK is £910.77 per year. This includes:
Usage cost: 2,700 kWh × 26.32p unit rate = £710.64
Standing charges: 365 days × 54.83p unit rate = £200.13
What are the average gas bills?
The average gas bill for a medium household in the UK is £1,024.88 per year. This includes:
Usage cost: 11,500 kWh × 7.97p unit rate = £916.55
Standing charges: 365 days × 29.68p unit rate = £108.33
What are the average gas and electricity bills by household size?
The size of your household will have a significant impact on how much gas and electricity you use and the figure on your energy bill.
Here are the average gas and electricity bills based on your household size:
Average usage by household size (1 October to 31 December 2026, direct debit, single rate)
Household size | Annual electricity use (kWh) | Electricity bill | Annual Gas use (kWh) | Gas bill | Total bill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low (1-2 people, flat/1-bed house) | 1,800 | £673.89 | 7,500 | £706.08 | £1,379.97 |
Medium (2-3 people, 2-3 bed house) | 2,700 | £910.77 | 11,500 | £1,024.88 | £1,935.65 |
High (4-5+ people, 4+ bed house) | 4,100 | £1,279.25 | 17,000 | £1,463.23 | £2,742.48 |
Data collected from Ofgem Average gas and electricity usage report
Average energy bills by region
Where you live in the UK can also have an impact on how much you pay for gas and electricity.
Here are the average costs of annual energy bills by region:
Region | Electricity | Gas | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
North West | £881.96 | £1,012.71 | £1,894.67 |
Northern | £912.19 | £1,019.53 | £1,931.72 |
Yorkshire | £916.30 | £1,017.16 | £1,933.46 |
Northern Scotland | £912.71 | £1,014.08 | £1,926.79 |
Southern | £889.20 | £1,045.98 | £1,935.18 |
Southern Scotland | £929.12 | £1,014.15 | £1,943.27 |
North Wales and Mersey | £999.18 | £1,019.44 | £2,018.62 |
London | £874.86 | £1,047.48 | £1,922.34 |
South East | £916.73 | £1,032.55 | £1,949.28 |
Eastern | £907.69 | £1,016.74 | £1,924.43 |
East Midlands | £872.51 | £1,006.65 | £1,879.16 |
Midlands | £900.09 | £1,016.94 | £1,917.03 |
Southern Western | £920.53 | £1,040.78 | £1,961.31 |
South Wales | £919.10 | £1,039.70 | £1,958.80 |
Key insights from average prices by region include:
North Wales and Mersey has the highest total average annual bill, driven by the highest electricity costs
East Midlands has the lowest total annual bill, with relatively low costs in both electricity and gas
Southern and Midlands regions generally have slightly lower electricity costs but gas costs remain fairly consistent across regions
Average energy bills vary by region in the UK due to factors such as:
Location
Remote areas with limited access to energy infrastructure may have higher costs due to the difficulty and expense of supplying energy.
Network charges
Costs associated with maintaining and upgrading local energy networks can differ.
Energy supplier strategy
Energy suppliers will make predictions about consumer demand. If they need surplus energy above these forecasts, the unit costs go up, meaning you pay more for your energy.
Climate
Colder climates can increase demand for electricity, particularly in the winter months, driving up costs.
Renewable energy availability
Regions with abundant renewable energy resources, such as solar or wind, would likely see lower prices.
What are the average unit rates and standing charges?
The average unit rates and standing charges from 1 October to 31 December 2026:
Energy type | Unit rate (p/kWh) | Standing charge (p/day) |
|---|---|---|
Electricity | 26.32p | 54.83p |
Gas | 7.97p | 29.68p |
Average unit rates and standing charges by region (1 October to 31 December 2026)
Unit rates and standing charges also vary depending on your location. Here are the average rates across UK region
Region | Electricity daily standing charge (single rate) | Electricity unit rate (single rate) | Gas standing charge | Gas unit rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
North West | 45.68p | 26.49p | 29.81p | 7.86p |
Northern | 61.58p | 25.46p | 29.79p | 7.92p |
Yorkshire | 61.67p | 25.6p | 29.77p | 7.90p |
Northern Scotland | 55.14p | 26.35p | 29.87p | 7.87p |
Southern | 47.81p | 26.47p | 29.16p | 8.17p |
Southern Scotland | 61.41p | 26.11p | 29.89p | 7.87p |
North Wales and Mersey | 67.66p | 27.86p | 30.08p | 7.91p |
London | 42.92p | 26.6p | 30.2p | 8.15p |
South East | 52.32p | 26.88p | 29.26p | 8.05p |
Eastern | 51.84p | 26.61p | 29.34p | 7.91p |
East Midlands | 51.45p | 25.36p | 29.41p | 7.82p |
Midlands | 57.23p | 25.6p | 29.71p | 7.9p |
Southern Western | 55.58p | 26.58p | 29.31p | 8.12p |
South Wales | 55.41p | 26.55p | 29.96p | 8.09p |
Great Britain average | 54.83p | 26.32p | 29.68p | 7.97p |
Data from Ofgem price cap standing charges and unit rates by region report
Compare energy providers with MoneySuperMarket
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