Differences in utility payments are not the whim of local utility companies: there are many factors, from climate to the region's transport accessibility. Let's break down what makes up the bill and what can be done to reduce it.
Meters and figures
The average bill for a family of three in a 52 sq. m apartment is 5,500 rubles. But in Makhachkala they pay about 2,700 rubles, while in cities of the Far North and Far East — from 9,400 to 10,600 rubles. In Moscow, the average bill is 8,200 rubles.
Where the money goes
Almost a third of the sum goes to heating. Water and maintenance of common property add another 40%. Electricity accounts for about 12%. Together, heating, water and common household needs make up about 70% of expenses.
Planning to move?
To forecast your future bill, you can check tariffs for a city on the GIS ZhKH portal and multiply them by the area, number of residents or meter readings. Example: moving from Krasnodar to Moscow for a family of three increases the payment by about 4,000 rubles per month.
The main thing: how to pay less
Meters save 20–40% on water. A night tariff for electricity makes washing 2–4 times cheaper. Benefits and subsidies are available if the share of utility expenses exceeds the regional threshold. Aerators, LED lights and window insulation also reduce the amount.
