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

Electricity Cost by State 2026:18.05¢/kWh US Average

Compare electricity rates across all 50 states. From 10.65 cents in Idaho to 43.18 cents in Hawaii. Find your state, calculate your costs, and discover ways to save.

National Average

18.05cents/kWh

Avg monthly bill: ~$160

Cheapest State

10.65cents/kWh

Idaho: $94/mo

Most Expensive

43.18cents/kWh

Hawaii: $383/mo

Electricity Cost Calculator

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

Monthly Cost

$126

14.20 cents/kWh

Annual Cost

$1,510

886 kWh/mo x 12

Daily Cost

$4.14

Annual / 365 days

vs National Avg

$-34

21.3% below average

vs National Average

18.05 cents/kWh = $160/mo

$-34/mo

vs Cheapest (Idaho)

10.65 cents/kWh = $94/mo

+$31/mo

vs Most Expensive (Hawaii)

43.18 cents/kWh = $383/mo

$-257/mo

Estimated Bill Breakdown

Supply (55%)

$69

Delivery (35%)

$44

Taxes (10%)

$13

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
1Idaho10.65$94
2North Dakota10.92$97
3Washington11.20$99
4Utah11.45$101
5Wyoming11.85$105
6Kentucky12.10$107
7Louisiana12.18$108
8Tennessee12.20$108
9Arkansas12.35$109
10Oklahoma12.40$110

10 Most Expensive States

#StateRateMonthly Bill
1Hawaii43.18$383
2Connecticut29.92$265
3Massachusetts28.55$253
4California27.30$242
5New Hampshire27.03$239
6Rhode Island26.80$237
7Maine24.10$214
8New York23.20$206
9Alaska22.75$202
10Vermont21.20$188

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 18.05 cents per kWh, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). However, rates vary enormously by state, ranging from 10.65 cents in Idaho to 43.18 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?
Idaho has the cheapest residential electricity in 2026 at 10.65 cents per kWh, followed by Washington (11.20 cents) and Utah (11.45 cents). These states benefit from abundant hydroelectric power and low population density, which reduces infrastructure costs. At average usage of 886 kWh per month, a household in Idaho pays approximately $94 per month compared to the national average of $160.
What is the average electric bill in the United States?
The average US household pays approximately $160 per month for electricity in 2026, based on the national average rate of 18.05 cents per kWh and average monthly consumption of 886 kWh. Monthly bills range from about $94 in Idaho to over $380 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 18.05 cents per kWh, charging a typical EV (30 kWh per 100 miles) costs about $5.42 per 100 miles. That works out to roughly $650 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 increased 5.4% from 2025 to 2026, continuing a trend of steady annual increases. Over the past six years (2020 to 2026), the national average has risen from 13.31 cents to 18.05 cents per kWh, a 36% 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.

Explore More

All 50 States Ranked

Complete rate table with monthly bills

EV Charging Costs

State-by-state charging cost breakdown

Rate Trends 2020-2026

Historical data and future projections

Business Rates

Commercial vs residential comparison

Time-of-Use Rates

Save 20-40% by shifting usage

Bill Breakdown

Every charge explained line by line

High Bill Diagnosis

8 common causes and fixes

Full Calculator

Detailed cost estimation tool

Updated 2026-05-11