Abstract Increasingly urbanized populations and corresponding consumption changes cause emissions to rise. However, their contributions in quantity have been less studied compared to the empirical econometrical tests. Here, we use a factor-reversible structural decomposition method featuring input–output analysis to explore the impacts of urbanization and changes in consumption patterns on incremental household carbon emissions, focusing on sectoral emissions. We found that urbanization and changes in consumption patterns contributed to emissions. Electricity and heating providers, and the transportation sector, contributed the most emissions. Mitigation policies are required, as are structural economic changes and the fostering of green procurement and consumption.