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

Tennessee Electricity Cost 2026: 12.20¢/kWh

Tennessee residential electricity rates average 12.20 cents per kWh in 2026, -32.4% vs the 18.05¢ US national average. The state operates a regulated retail market with nuclear/hydroelectric as the primary generation source.

State Rate

12.20

cents/kWh

Monthly Bill

$108

at 886 kWh

vs National

-32.4%

national avg 18.05¢

Rank (cheapest first)

8/50

YoY change +2.9%

Market Type

Regulated

Supply rate set by state PUC

Primary Generation

Nuclear/Hydroelectric

per EIA State Energy Profile

Annual Bill (avg usage)

$1,297

vs national $1,919

Tennessee electricity market

Regulated state served entirely by the Tennessee Valley Authority at the wholesale level, with local distribution by city-owned utilities (Memphis Light Gas and Water, Nashville Electric Service, Knoxville Utilities Board, Chattanooga EPB) and electric cooperatives. Generation mix is nuclear (Sequoyah, Watts Bar), hydro (Norris, Wheeler, Pickwick), and natural gas.

Where Tennessee residents save

No retail competition. EnergyRight (the TVA-administered program) offers heat-pump rebates, weatherization, and the Home Uplift program for low-income households. Local distributors also run their own efficiency programs.

Primary utilities

  • Tennessee Valley Authority (wholesale)
  • Memphis Light Gas and Water
  • Nashville Electric Service

Tennessee bill estimates by usage

Home ProfileMonthly kWhMonthly BillAnnual Bill
Apartment500$61$732
Small house750$92$1,098
Average household886$108$1,297
Large house1200$146$1,757
Large house + EV1500$183$2,196

Estimates use the Tennessee state-average rate of 12.20¢/kWh from EIA data. Your actual bill includes delivery charges, customer-service fees, and state/local taxes already blended into this retail rate, plus any locality-specific surcharges not captured at the state-average level.

Related

National context. US average residential rate 2026: 18.05¢/kWh. Cheapest state: Idaho at 10.65¢. Most expensive: Hawaii at 43.18¢. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration. See /methodology for sourcing and limitations.

Updated 2026-05-11