Countries paying the most (and least) for electricity per square metre

New research shows that 34.9 per cent of Australians are finding it difficult or very difficult to live on their current income, growing electricity bills are also contributing to household pressure.¹https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-20/australias-lucky-country-mantle-has-slipped/106581228

While the price of electricity is often discussed, it is often judged by a single, blunt measure – the price per kilowatt‑hour (kWh). To get a clearer picture of how household pressures vary around the world, comparison service iSelect looked at the electricity cost per square metre of the average home size, ranking 23 countries where energy bills stretch the furthest relative to living space.

In many cases, home size plays just as important a role as price itself in determining how much pressure households may actually be feeling. To find out where your country ranks, read on.

Five Countries Paying the Most for Electricity Per Square Metre

These countries face the highest electricity burden once house size is factored in, largely due to smaller dwellings and high-power prices. All electricity prices are shown in Australian cents (AUD) per kilowatt‑hour.

1 – Sweden

Sweden tops our rankings with an electricity cost per metre squared of 0.77 cents, despite having a relatively moderate electricity price of 0.32 cents per kWh. Housing size is the key driver of their ranking, with the average Swedish home measuring just 42 square metres, significantly smaller than in most developed countries.

2 – Ireland

Ireland follows with a cost of 0.69 cents per square metre, driven by the highest electricity prices in the dataset at 0.62 cents per kWh. With average homes around 89 square metres, Irish households face substantial electricity costs relative to their living space, pushing the country to second place in our ranking.

3 – United Kingdom

Across the English Channel, the UK’s electricity cost per square metre of 0.64 cents is indicative of a similar challenge. Electricity costs average 0.56 cents per kWh, while typical homes measure about 88 square metres. This combination results in the third highest electricity costs per square metre in our ranking, highlighting why energy price rises tend to be felt quickly by British households.

4 – Germany

Germany’s electricity cost per square metre sits slightly lower, at 0.60 cents. German electricity prices sit at 0.56 cents per kWh, but the European nation benefits slightly from marginally larger homes that average 93 square metres in size.

5 – Austria

Austria rounds out our top five. With electricity priced at 0.48 cents per kWh and average homes measuring 97 square metres, Austria’s cost per metre squared sits at 0.49 cents.

Five Countries with the Cheapest Electricity Per Square Metre

At the other end of the scale, certain countries benefit from lower electricity prices, larger homes, or both, resulting in much lower electricity costs per unit of living space.

1 – Canada

Canada offers the most affordable electricity relative to its average home size, with a cost per metre of 0.09 cents. Canada’s affordability is driven by its spacious homes averaging 181 square metres, and electricity prices at 0.17 cents per kWh. This combination delivers the lowest cost in the analysis, even before accounting for Canada’s cold climate and high energy needs.

2 – United States

The United States ranks second, with Americans enjoying a cost per metre squared of 0.12 cents. As the second cheapest country on our list, the US pairs 0.25 cents per kWh electricity prices with some of the largest homes globally, averaging 214 square metres. Although prices are higher than in Canada, the scale of housing significantly reduces the electricity cost experienced per square metre.

3 – New Zealand and Norway

New Zealand and Norway sit tied as the third cheapest countries for electricity costs per square metre, at 0.15 AUD. Electricity prices in New Zealand sit at 0.29 AUD per kWh, but generous average home sizes of 202 square metres keep electricity costs per square metre relatively low.

Norway achieves its affordability through a different mix. Electricity prices are comparatively low at 0.21 AUD per kWh, and homes are smaller than in North America, averaging 139 square metres. Combined, this results in a cost per square metre of 0.15 AUD in stark contrast to its neighbour, Sweden, who tops the list.

4 – Australia

Australia rounds out the cheapest countries on our list, recording an electricity cost per square metre of 0.17 cents. Australian electricity prices average 0.36 cents per kWh, but average home sizes of 214 square metres, among the largest in the world, help dilute costs. Larger housing plays a critical role in preventing Australia from ranking higher on electricity cost pressure.