{
  "id": 14906844,
  "title": "The Average Electric Utility Bill Is $147 a Month. Here's How Much You'd Need in Utility Stocks to Cover It.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/the-average-electric-utility-bill-is-147-a-month-heres-how-much-youd",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-16T08:18:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Motley Fool",
    "slug": "motley-fool",
    "url": "https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/10/16/average-electric-utility-bill-month-stock-cover/?source=iedfolrf0000001"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Since 2021, the price of power has risen, with the average American home's electricity bill now at $147 each month, though the total cost, including water and gas, jumps to $470 per month. Faced with mounting bills, some families are finding innovative ways to stay lit. One unconventional approach could be to invest in utility stocks that are known for their high dividend payouts.\n\nThese stocks, which include the Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU), Southern Company (SO), and NextEra Energy (NEE), offer a dividend yield of about 3.1%, similar to the VPU's yield. To cover the $1,764 needed annually for electricity, an investor would need to put away around $60,000 in one of these stocks. This means buying approximately 335 shares of VPU, generating $5.20 in annual dividends per share.\n\nWhile this strategy isn't common, it could provide a financial lifeline in challenging times. However, it's important not to add more debt to cover bills, particularly with interest rates at their highest levels in recent years. Investing in utilities might offer a way to avoid debt, but it's crucial to consider market changes and potential shifts in dividend payments.",
  "summary": "It's not quite what most investors intended for their income-generating utility names. But, given current circumstances, it's not a bad idea.",
  "key_points": [
    "Average electric bill now $147/month since 2021",
    "Utility stocks like VPU, SO, NEE offer 3.1% dividend yield",
    "$60,000 needed to cover $1,764 annual electricity cost"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Nasdaq Markets",
        "title": "The Average Electric Utility Bill Is $147 a Month. Here's How Much You'd Need in Utility Stocks to Cover It.",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/the-average-electric-utility-bill-is-147-a-month-heres-how-much-youd-14915139",
        "published": "2026-10-16T08:38:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}