A Comparative Analysis of Electrical Consumption in Urban and Rural Households: A Case Study of Muar

Abstract

Urban areas, with dense populations and fast-paced lifestyles, have higher and more varied energy needs, while rural areas consume less due to lower density and simpler economies. This study investigates the differences in electricity consumption between urban (Bandar Maharani) and rural (Ayer Hitam) households in Muar, Johor, emphasizing key factors such as income, household size, type of housing, the number of electrical appliances, total daily usage for minor appliances, total daily usage for major appliances and residential area (urban/rural) that influence the electric consumption and region-specific energy sustainability approaches. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected via structured questionnaires from 300 households, selected through stratified and random sampling methods. Statistical analysis, including multiple linear regression, was conducted to determine the relationship between monthly kWh bill and several independent variables. The result indicates that urban households consume significantly more electricity than rural ones, with an average difference of 202.86 kWh per month (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.488), indicating a moderate effect size. Among all variables, the key factor found to influence electricity consumption most significantly is income level, which exhibited the highest standardized regression coefficient (β = 0.250, p <0.001), confirming its strong and statistically significant impact. Most households with 42% choose that they save energy by using energy-efficient appliances and respondents strongly agree that energy efficiency is important for the environment with mean = 4.55.  In summary, electricity consumption is influenced by both usage behaviour and socio-economic conditions. Addressing these through education, policy, and technology is key to promoting sustainable energy practices.