The “Second Job” to Pay the Bill: Side Hustles & Utility Costs

When paying the electric bill starts to compete with sleep, family time, and mental health, something has clearly changed. Payless Power surveyed over 1,000 adults nationwide about how energy costs affect their finances, work lives, and well-being. We found many households juggling extra jobs, long hours, and personal sacrifices just to keep the power on.

Key Takeaways

• 7 in 10 Americans have taken on a side hustle specifically to afford utilities in the last 12 months.
• Utilities (41%) rank among the hardest basic expenses to afford, second only to food (48%).
• Nearly 1 in 3 side hustlers (30%) say at least half of their side hustle income goes toward utility bills, including 17% who say 75% or more of this income goes to utilities alone.
• Nearly two-thirds of Americans (65%) spend at least 5 hours a week on side hustles, including 31% who work 5–9 hours and 34% who work 10–19 hours.
• Side hustlers have sacrificed hobbies or personal time (50%), sleep (41%), and time with family or friends (38%) to keep utilities on.
• A large majority of Americans (85%) agree that working multiple jobs or side hustles just to pay utility bills is becoming the new normal.

Exploring the Rise of Side Hustles to Cover Utility Costs

Paying the electric bill used to be a predictable part of household budgeting, but that stability has faded for many families. As costs climbed, more people turned to extra work as a way to bridge the gap between income and essential expenses.

A majority of Americans reported taking on a side hustle just to afford utilities within the past year, with 7 in 10 saying extra work helped them pay their energy bills. Gen Z side hustlers were the most likely to work extra hours to afford utilities, at 76%, compared to 55% among baby boomers.

Differences also emerged across racial and ethnic groups, with Hispanic/Latino respondents reporting the highest likelihood of hustling to pay utility bills (84%), followed by Black respondents (81%). White respondents reported the lowest rate at 65%.

Utilities ranked among the hardest basic expenses to afford, with 41% of side hustlers identifying them as a top challenge, second only to food (48%). Black respondents were the only group to rank utility bills as their main affordability issue (46%). Asian respondents cited both food and housing as equally challenging at 44% each. Urban residents struggled most with rent or mortgage payments (49%), while food concerns were most common among rural (65%) and suburban (48%) residents.

For many side hustlers, extra income flowed almost entirely toward energy costs. Nearly 1 in 3 (30%) reported that at least half of their side hustle earnings went to utility bills, and 17% said three-quarters or more of that income was used just to keep utilities on.

The Side Hustles Powering America’s Homes

As utility bills climb, Americans have turned to a wide range of side hustles to make ends meet. The type of work, hours spent, and income earned reveal how demanding this extra effort has become.

Among those who worked a side hustle specifically to afford utilities, the most common options were:Online tasks and microgigs (24%)

• Freelance or contract work (18%)
• Delivery driving (16%)
• Online selling or reselling (13%)
• Tutoring (5%)

Time commitments were substantial, with 65% spending at least 5 hours per week on side hustles. This included 31% working between 5–9 hours and 34% working 10–19 hours. More than a quarter (27%) reported working 20 hours or more.

Despite the time invested, earnings remained limited for many. A majority of side hustlers reported earning under $500 per month, while only about 1 in 10 earned $1,000 or more. At the same time, the highest monthly utility bill reported by side hustlers averaged $356. Most said their monthly utility bills increased by at least $25 over the past year.

Roughly a third (31%) said they delayed paying a utility bill while waiting on side hustle income. Gen Z respondents were the most likely to do so, at 34%, making them twice as likely as baby boomers (17%).

If utility bills doubled, Americans’ top responses would be to:

• Cut back usage (28%)
• Work more hours at a side hustle (26%)
• Start an additional side hustle (13%)

The Emotional Toll of Working Extra Just to Stay Connected

The effort to afford utilities has extended beyond finances, affecting stress levels, sleep, and personal time. For many households, the emotional cost has become just as significant as the financial one.

Utility bills ranked among the most stressful expenses, with 48% of Americans rating them as very or extremely stressful. This level of stress was about the same as credit card debt (50%) and exceeded concerns about medical (34%) and car (30%) expenses. While other generations cited rent or credit card debt as their top stressors, Gen X respondents rated utility bills as the most stressful expense at 50%.

A majority of side hustlers (85%) said that working multiple jobs or side hustles just to pay utility bills is becoming the new normal. Over half (51%) find their current utility bills unaffordable. Even if utilities become more affordable, 93% said they would continue working their side hustle, though 44% would reduce their hours.

Gen Z respondents were the most likely to say they would cut back hours under those conditions, while other generations expected to keep working at the same level. Over half of Black respondents (53%) said more affordable utilities would enable them to work fewer hours, while other groups were more likely to say they would continue to work the same hours.

The personal sacrifices behind this extra work were significant. Half of side hustlers said they gave up hobbies or personal time, while others sacrificed:

• Sleep (41%)
• Time with family or friends (38%)
• Mental health (35%)
• Time with romantic partners (25%)
• Physical health (22%)

When Essential Bills Require Extra Work

For many households, needing a side hustle just to cover utility bills can feel exhausting and overwhelming. Rising energy costs have forced tough trade-offs, pushing people to give up rest, time with loved ones, and personal well-being just to stay connected. While these challenges are real, having better control over energy costs can help reduce some of that pressure.

Monitoring daily usage, setting alerts, and choosing flexible electricity options can make bills more predictable and easier to manage. Prepaid electricity plans let households pay on their own schedule and avoid surprise charges, which can be especially helpful when income fluctuates. When every dollar and hour counts, clarity and control can go a long way toward easing stress and helping people focus on what matters most.

Methodology

We surveyed 1,004 U.S. adults to understand how rising utility costs are shaping household finances and driving Americans to take on side hustles. The survey explored whether utility bills are motivating second jobs, how much time and income those side hustles require, and the financial and personal trade-offs people make to keep their utilities on.

The average age of respondents was 40. The gender breakdown was 51% women, 47% men, 1% nonbinary, and less than 1% genderfluid. Generationally, 6% were baby boomers, 26% were Gen X, 54% were millennials, and 14% were Gen Z. Less than 1% of respondents identified as the Silent Generation and were excluded from the generational breakdowns due to limited sample size.

By race and ethnicity, 68% of respondents were White, 13% were Black or African American, 8% were Hispanic or Latino, 7% were Asian, and 3% were multiracial. Less than 1% identified as American Indian or Alaska Native, and less than 1% identified as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; these groups were excluded from race and ethnicity breakdowns due to limited sample size. Geographically, 51% of respondents live in suburban areas, 31% live in urban areas, and 18% live in rural areas. The data was collected in January 2026.

About Payless Power

Payless Power helps customers take control of their electricity costs without the stress of long-term contracts, deposits, or credit checks. With prepaid electricity plans, customers can track usage in real time and pay on their own schedule, helping them to avoid surprise bills. For households looking for flexibility and peace of mind, Payless Power offers a simpler way to keep the lights on. Explore available plans to see if prepaid electricity is right for you.

Fair Use Statement

The information in this article may be used for noncommercial purposes only. If shared, proper attribution with a link back to Payless Power is required.

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