Living Alone: What Electricity and Gas Really Cost in 2026

Flat benchmarks like "€50 for electricity" go stale quickly, because energy prices keep shifting. Current figures from the Federal Statistical Office show what a single-person household in a first apartment should actually plan for.

What a kilowatt-hour of electricity costs right now

According to the Federal Statistical Office, household electricity cost a nationwide average of 40.55 cents per kilowatt-hour in the second half of 2025, a 1.6% increase over the first half. At a typical single-person consumption of around 1,500 kilowatt-hours a year, that works out to roughly €51 a month in electricity costs, not counting any base fee that may apply on top.

What a kilowatt-hour of gas costs

If you heat with gas, Destatis reports an average of 12.23 cents per kilowatt-hour over the same period. The actual monthly amount here depends heavily on apartment size and the building's construction year, since heating demand per square meter varies widely, unlike the relatively constant electricity use for appliances and lighting.

Why these figures are only a starting point

National averages say nothing about your own tariff. If you stay on basic supply after moving in, you often pay more than these averages, since basic-supply rates typically sit above what you'd get with an actively chosen contract. Comparing offers through an independent comparison site within the first few weeks after moving in is almost always worth it.

What else counts toward ongoing costs besides energy

Besides electricity and gas, the monthly fixed costs of a first apartment include internet, usually between €20 and €40 depending on provider and bandwidth, and household insurance. Groceries and other living costs naturally vary more from person to person and are harder to pin down than energy costs, which can at least be roughly calculated from the official average price.

Our electricity, gas, and internet setup guide explains how power and gas default to basic supply automatically without your own contract, and how switching works. Our first apartment cost guide has the full cost breakdown for a first apartment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does electricity cost for a single-person household right now?

At around 1,500 kilowatt-hours of annual consumption and the Destatis average price of 40.55 cents per kilowatt-hour (second half of 2025), pure consumption costs come to about €51 a month, plus any base fee.

Why should I compare electricity providers?

Because basic supply, which you fall into automatically without an active choice, is usually more expensive than a contract you choose yourself through a comparison site.

How much does gas cost per kilowatt-hour?

An average of 12.23 cents in the second half of 2025 per Destatis, though the total amount depends heavily on individual heating needs.

Do internet and insurance count as Nebenkosten?

No, Nebenkosten in the legal rental sense are only the operating costs allocable under the lease. Internet and insurance are separate fixed costs you organize yourself.