There are just so many variables I still say you cannot group all in one category. Most people with "free" have a limit of a certain amount of electricity, also a lot tend to be apartment (there are a few that have at business) but I think majority are apartment's. So these need to make sure the can handle the heat/noise. And you can do it even with the loudest of miners at one point when doing reviews on miners I slept with them in room for a bit, but something to think of and some do things to make quieter.
I think it can be done with paying for electricity, I would not attempt at higher then 10 cent's as you can find hosting for it. The question is how long can you run a miner at that... it comes to speculation but I would guess some will mine to a point and sell and ROI. Others will cheap electricity will mine them into the ground and pull off ROI. There are lot's of way's to do it.
Also a HUGE thing that does not get mentioned much is if your buying in BTC or USD. If you buy a 2,000 USD machine in dollars then you just need to make over that 2,000 to have a return, a big upswing in BTC price can help a lot with this one. There is argument you could be better off of bought and held coins... but still ROI is ROI. Now say if you pay 3 BTC your end goal is to get more then 3 BTC. So I think what your purchasing with is a factor that should be mentioned more.