People who move from California to Phoenix and spend their first summer here all seem to say the same thing.

They say, "I knew it would be hot, but I didn't realize it would be this hot."

And then, exactly one month later, they experience another shock. It's because of the electricity bill.

Even those who have lived in hot, expensive places like California are often left speechless when they see their summer electricity bill in Phoenix for the first time.

It's no wonder, as Phoenix has many days in the summer where daytime temperatures exceed 100 to 115 degrees.

In fact, during the summer, it can still be around 100 degrees even after 10 PM. In this area, air conditioning is not a luxury but rather 'survival equipment.'

If you turn off the air conditioning when you leave the house, the indoor temperature can rise to dangerous levels, so most people just run the air conditioning all day long.

Electricity is mainly supplied by APS (Arizona Public Service) or SRP (Salt River Project), and depending on where you live, the company and rate structure can vary slightly.

As of this year (2026), for those living in apartments, the summer electricity bills they experience are about $150 to $220 per month for a one-bedroom apartment.

For a two-bedroom apartment, the typical range is $180 to $300. Older buildings or those facing west can heat up in the sun, sometimes exceeding $300.

For reference, the rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the Phoenix metro area varies by location but generally ranges from $1,600 to $2,300 per month.

New constructions in downtown Phoenix or Scottsdale can easily exceed $2,500, while in areas like Mesa or Glendale, you can find options around $1,600. On average, it's realistic to budget around $1,900 to $2,100.

If you move to a single-family home, the scale increases. For a two to three-bedroom single-family home, summer electricity bills typically start at $250 to $400, and larger homes over 2,500 square feet can exceed $500. Especially homes that maintain a cool indoor temperature of around 74 degrees see their bills rise dramatically. It's said that bills can easily reach $600.

If there's a swimming pool in the yard? Then the costs go up even more.

Because it's so hot in Phoenix, homes with pools are quite common. Usually, people worry about the electricity costs for the pool, but the water bill can also be significant.

The average residential swimming pool holds about 12,000 to 18,000 gallons, and due to the strong Phoenix sun, a lot of water evaporates.

Each month, you may need to refill 2,000 to 4,000 gallons of water. When you drain the pool and refill it, the water bill can spike over $100 at once.  Ultimately, if you live in a single-family home with a pool in Phoenix, you should expect to spend around $300 to $600 each month just on electricity and water during the summer.

But do people in Phoenix live in constant agony over these bills? Not at all. They have their own strategies.

Everyone effectively utilizes the 'Time-of-Use' rate plans. Both APS and SRP charge higher rates during peak usage times and lower rates at night, so it has become a habit to run washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers at night. Nowadays, more homes are also noticeably installing solar panels on their roofs.

In a way, the formula for living in Phoenix is simple. While winter heating costs are almost negligible, summer cooling costs fill that gap.

If you move here just looking at home prices or rent, you might be shocked by your first summer bill, but over time, you come to see it as just the 'cost of living in the desert.'