Independent resource. Not affiliated with any utility or energy provider. Data sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.Updated June 2026

Electricity Cost by State 2026:18.83¢/kWh US Average

Compare electricity rates across all 50 states. From 12.35 cents in North Dakota to 46.62 cents in Hawaii. Find your state, calculate your costs, and discover ways to save.

National Average

18.83cents/kWh

Avg monthly bill: ~$163

Cheapest State

12.35cents/kWh

North Dakota: $107/mo

Most Expensive

46.62cents/kWh

Hawaii: $402/mo

Electricity Cost Calculator

Enter your state and usage to see how your costs compare.

Monthly Cost

$147

16.99 cents/kWh

Annual Cost

$1,759

863 kWh/mo x 12

Daily Cost

$4.82

Annual / 365 days

vs National Avg

$-16

9.8% below average

vs National Average

18.83 cents/kWh = $163/mo

$-16/mo

vs Cheapest (North Dakota)

12.35 cents/kWh = $107/mo

+$40/mo

vs Most Expensive (Hawaii)

46.62 cents/kWh = $402/mo

$-256/mo

Estimated Bill Breakdown

Supply (55%)

$81

Delivery (35%)

$51

Taxes (10%)

$15

How Electricity Is Priced

Your electricity bill is made up of several components. Understanding them helps you know which part of the bill you can actually control, especially if you live in a deregulated state.

55%

Generation / Supply

The cost of generating the electricity itself. This is the portion you can shop in deregulated states. Fuel costs (natural gas, coal) and renewable energy investments drive this charge.

35%

Delivery / Distribution

Covers the poles, wires, transformers, and meters that bring electricity to your home. Set by your local utility and approved by regulators. You cannot shop this portion of the bill.

10%

Taxes and Fees

Includes state and local taxes, renewable energy surcharges, nuclear decommissioning fees, and universal service fund contributions. Varies widely by state.

Read our full bill breakdown guide to understand every charge on your electricity bill.

Cheapest and Most Expensive States

10 Cheapest States

#StateRateMonthly Bill
1North Dakota12.35$107
2Idaho12.70$110
3Nebraska13.28$115
4Utah13.29$115
5Oklahoma13.31$115
6Iowa13.86$120
7Montana13.90$120
8Missouri14.01$121
9Arkansas14.16$122
10Nevada14.29$123

10 Most Expensive States

#StateRateMonthly Bill
1Hawaii46.62$402
2California35.25$304
3Connecticut32.24$278
4New York29.45$254
5Massachusetts29.45$254
6Maine28.42$245
7Rhode Island28.30$244
8Alaska27.35$236
9New Hampshire27.24$235
10Vermont24.56$212

View all 50 states ranked with full details

Can You Switch Electricity Providers?

Deregulated States: Yes

In 16 states, you can choose your electricity supplier. The utility still delivers the power, but you shop for the generation rate. Typical savings: 15 to 30% on the supply portion of your bill, or 8 to 18% off the total.

ConnecticutDelawareIllinoisMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMontanaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew YorkOhioPennsylvaniaRhode IslandTexasVirginia

Learn how deregulation works | How to compare providers

Regulated States: Other Options

In regulated states, your rate is set by the state public utility commission. You cannot shop for a different supplier. However, you can still save significantly through efficiency improvements and rate plan optimization.

  • ✓Switch to time-of-use rates to save 20 to 40%
  • ✓Install a smart thermostat for $100 to $200/yr savings
  • ✓Join community solar programs
  • ✓Reduce phantom loads and improve insulation

View all 10 savings strategies

Quick Ways to Reduce Your Electricity Bill

Switch Providers

$200 - $600/yr

In deregulated states, shopping for a lower supply rate saves 15 to 30% on the supply portion of your bill.

Time-of-Use Rates

$150 - $400/yr

Shift heavy usage (laundry, EV charging, dishwasher) to off-peak hours for 20 to 40% lower rates.

Smart Thermostat

$100 - $200/yr

Programmable thermostats reduce heating and cooling costs by optimizing temperature schedules.

LED Lighting

$75 - $150/yr

Replacing all bulbs with LEDs uses 75% less electricity than incandescent and lasts 25 times longer.

Seal Air Leaks

$100 - $300/yr

Weatherstripping and caulking around doors and windows prevents 15 to 20% of heating and cooling loss.

Eliminate Phantom Loads

$100 - $200/yr

Unplug electronics or use smart power strips to stop standby consumption that adds 5 to 10% to your bill.

View all 10 strategies with detailed instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does electricity cost per kWh in 2026?
The national average residential electricity rate in 2026 is 18.83 cents per kWh, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). However, rates vary enormously by state, ranging from 12.35 cents in North Dakota to 46.62 cents in Hawaii. Your actual rate depends on your state, utility provider, and rate plan type. Deregulated states offer the option to shop for a different supplier, which can save 15 to 30% on the supply portion of your bill.
What state has the cheapest electricity?
North Dakota has the cheapest residential electricity in 2026 at 12.35 cents per kWh, followed by Idaho (12.70 cents) and Nebraska (13.28 cents). These states benefit from abundant low-cost generation (coal, wind, hydro) and low population density, which reduces infrastructure costs. At average usage of 863 kWh per month, a household in North Dakota pays approximately $107 per month compared to the national average of $163.
What is the average electric bill in the United States?
The average US household pays approximately $162 per month for electricity in 2026, based on the national average rate of 18.83 cents per kWh and average monthly consumption of 863 kWh. Monthly bills range from about $107 in North Dakota to over $400 in Hawaii. Your bill depends on your state rate, home size, climate, and usage habits. Summer months typically add 40 to 60% to bills due to air conditioning.
Can I switch electricity providers?
Only if you live in a deregulated state. Currently, 16 states plus Washington D.C. allow residential customers to choose their electricity supplier. These include Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, and others. In deregulated states, you can shop for a lower supply rate while keeping the same utility for delivery. The process takes 5 to 15 minutes and does not cause any interruption to your service.
Why is my electric bill so high?
The most common causes of a high electric bill are seasonal usage spikes (summer AC and winter heating), rate increases you did not notice, an aging HVAC system, poor insulation and air leaks, phantom loads from electronics in standby mode, or a new high-draw device like an EV charger or pool pump. Start by comparing your current kWh usage to the same month last year. If usage is similar but the bill is higher, your rate went up. If usage spiked, check your appliances and insulation.
Is fixed or variable electricity rate better?
Fixed rates are better for most households because they lock in a predictable cost for 12 to 36 months, protecting you from price spikes during extreme weather. Variable rates can be cheaper during mild spring and fall months, but they carry significant risk during summer and winter peaks. During the February 2021 Texas winter storm, some variable rate customers received bills exceeding $10,000 for a single month. Lock in a fixed rate before summer or winter for the best protection.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?
At the national average of 18.83 cents per kWh, charging a typical EV (30 kWh per 100 miles) costs about $5.65 per 100 miles. That works out to roughly $680 to $800 per year for 12,000 miles of driving, compared to $1,200 to $2,100 per year for gasoline. Charging at home on off-peak time-of-use rates can reduce the cost by an additional 20 to 40%. Public DC fast charging is significantly more expensive at $0.25 to $0.50 per kWh.
Are electricity prices going up in 2026?
Yes. The national average residential rate rose from a 17.30-cent 2025 annual average to 18.83 cents by April 2026, roughly a 9% increase over the 2025 average. Since 2020, the national average has risen from 13.15 cents to 18.83 cents per kWh, a 43% increase. The primary drivers are grid modernization investments, growing electricity demand from data centers and EV charging, and the ongoing transition from coal to renewable energy sources. Most projections suggest 2 to 4% annual increases through 2030.

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