Water Bills in Rental Apartments: Average Costs
According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's national water rate survey, the average combined water and sewerage bill for single-person households is approximately ¥2,000–3,000 per month, while for two-person households it is roughly ¥4,000–5,000 per month. However, billing systems vary significantly by municipality, so actual charges differ depending on the area—such as Sendai, Tokyo, or Osaka. While water bills often receive less cost-saving attention than electricity or gas, with mindful usage habits it is realistic to aim for annual reductions of approximately ¥10,000–20,000. As of 2026, an increasing number of municipalities are revising water rates due to inflation, making the establishment of water-saving habits more important than ever.