Electricity Rates by State
The average electricity rate in the United States is 18.83 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for residential customers and 13.51¢/kWh for commercial customers as of April 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Rates range from 12.35¢ in North Dakota to 46.62¢ in Hawaii, with the national average up 7.4% year-over-year.
How Much Does Electricity Cost per kWh by State?
The average residential electricity rate in the United States is 18.83 cents per kWh as of April 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Rates range from 12.35¢ in North Dakota to 46.62¢ in Hawaii — a nearly 4x difference driven by fuel sources, grid infrastructure, and regulatory structure.
Commercial electricity rates average 13.51¢/kWh nationally, about 28% less than residential. The table below lists the current residential and commercial rate for all 50 states and Washington D.C.
| State | Residential | Commercial | vs 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 17.41 | 14.44 | +3.6% |
| Alaska | 27.35 | 22.74 | +5.4% |
| Arizona | 15.48 | 11.49 | -1.2% |
| Arkansas | 14.16 | 11.04 | +3.7% |
| California | 35.25 | 25.75 | +4.2% |
| Colorado | 16.54 | 12.92 | +6.7% |
| Connecticut | 32.24 | 23.56 | +0.0% |
| Delaware | 18.79 | 13.31 | +4.6% |
| District of Columbia | 25.41 | 23.26 | +19.2% |
| Florida | 15.38 | 11.56 | +0.8% |
| Georgia | 15.37 | 10.56 | +3.7% |
| Hawaii | 46.62 | 42.99 | +9.8% |
| Idaho | 12.7 | 9.87 | +6.8% |
| Illinois | 20.47 | 13.89 | +12.0% |
| Indiana | 17.9 | 13.78 | +6.0% |
| Iowa | 13.86 | 10.26 | +3.9% |
| Kansas | 15.78 | 11.39 | +6.5% |
| Kentucky | 15.02 | 13.07 | +9.7% |
| Louisiana | 14.44 | 12.31 | +6.4% |
| Maine | 28.42 | 23.27 | +1.1% |
| Maryland | 22.07 | 16.41 | +15.9% |
| Massachusetts | 29.45 | 24.02 | -3.9% |
| Michigan | 21.39 | 15.55 | +7.3% |
| Minnesota | 16.39 | 12.49 | +8.7% |
| Mississippi | 16.76 | 14.12 | +10.4% |
| Missouri | 14.01 | 10.49 | +8.8% |
| Montana | 13.9 | 12.66 | +12.9% |
| Nebraska | 13.28 | 8.25 | +1.7% |
| Nevada | 14.29 | 8.99 | +4.6% |
| New Hampshire | 27.24 | 20.55 | +15.1% |
| New Jersey | 23.53 | 16.77 | +16.8% |
| New Mexico | 15.15 | 11.08 | +5.6% |
| New York | 29.45 | 21.88 | +14.6% |
| North Carolina | 16.25 | 10.39 | +11.8% |
| North Dakota | 12.35 | 7.05 | +5.4% |
| Ohio | 19.49 | 13.65 | +19.4% |
| Oklahoma | 13.31 | 7.77 | +0.0% |
| Oregon | 15.78 | 10.62 | +2.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 21.47 | 13.68 | +13.2% |
| Rhode Island | 28.3 | 22.31 | -2.0% |
| South Carolina | 17.06 | 11.61 | +7.6% |
| South Dakota | 14.52 | 11.47 | +8.6% |
| Tennessee | 14.94 | 14.07 | +7.4% |
| Texas | 16.99 | 8.35 | +9.5% |
| Utah | 13.29 | 10.24 | +6.3% |
| Vermont | 24.56 | 20.92 | +6.9% |
| Virginia | 17.38 | 10.33 | +13.7% |
| Washington | 14.36 | 11.74 | +10.3% |
| West Virginia | 16.06 | 11.63 | +0.1% |
| Wisconsin | 19.21 | 13.38 | +5.5% |
| Wyoming | 14.68 | 9.5 | +12.5% |
| U.S. Average | 18.83 | 13.51 | +7.3% |
Which States Have the Most Expensive Electricity?
Hawaii has the most expensive electricity in the United States at 46.62 cents per kWh as of April 2026, according to EIA data — 148% above the national average of 18.83¢. Hawaii relies on imported petroleum for most power generation, and island geography prevents access to mainland natural gas pipelines. California (35.25¢) ranks second, driven by renewable mandates, wildfire infrastructure costs, and high demand. Connecticut (32.24¢) ranks third.
Rounding out the top ten:
- Massachusetts (29.45¢)
- New York (29.45¢)
- Maine (28.42¢)
- Rhode Island (28.30¢)
- Alaska (27.35¢)
- New Hampshire (27.24¢)
- District of Columbia (25.41¢)
Six of the ten most expensive states are in New England. Winter heating demand, aging grid infrastructure, and reliance on imported natural gas create chronic price pressure across the Northeast.
Which States Have the Cheapest Electricity?
North Dakota has the cheapest residential electricity in the United States at 12.35 cents per kWh as of April 2026, according to EIA data — 34% below the national average of 18.83¢. North Dakota’s low rates are driven by abundant wind energy, lignite coal generation, and low population density. Nebraska (12.70¢) and Idaho (13.28¢) follow closely.
The rest of the top ten cheapest states:
- Utah (13.29¢)
- Oklahoma (13.31¢)
- Iowa (13.86¢)
- Montana (13.90¢)
- Missouri (14.01¢)
- Arkansas (14.16¢)
- Nevada (14.29¢)
The Midwest and South Central regions dominate this list. Low-cost fuel sources (natural gas, hydro, coal, wind), minimal grid congestion, and lighter regulatory overhead keep rates well below average.
For commercial rates, the ranking shifts: North Dakota (7.05¢) is the cheapest, followed by Oklahoma (7.77¢) and Texas (8.35¢). Texas stands out with a 8.64¢ gap between its residential and commercial rates. Its deregulated ERCOT market, with 100+ retail providers, drives commercial pricing especially low.
Key Takeaways
Electricity Rate Map
Residential electricity prices in cents per kWh — July 2026
Rate Categories
National Statistics
How Do Electricity Rates Compare by Region?
The Northeast is the most expensive U.S. region for residential electricity at 25.91 cents per kWh — 38% above the national average of 18.83¢, according to April 2026 EIA data. South Central states pay the least at 14.73¢/kWh. The five U.S. regions rank from cheapest to most expensive:
- South Central — 14.73¢ (22% below avg)
- Southeast — 16.16¢ (14% below avg)
- Midwest — 16.55¢ (12% below avg)
- West — 19.65¢ (4% above avg)
- Northeast — 25.91¢ (38% above avg)
These patterns are driven by fuel sources, infrastructure age, and regulatory structure.
Northeast
25.91¢/kWhAging grid infrastructure, limited fuel production, congested transmission corridors, and renewable energy mandates all drive costs higher. Maine (28.42¢), Connecticut (32.24¢), and Massachusetts (29.45¢) rank among the five most expensive states nationally.
On the upside, most northeastern states have deregulated electricity markets. Consumers can shop for competitive rates from alternative suppliers.
West
19.65¢/kWhThe western average is heavily skewed by three outliers: Hawaii (46.62¢), California (35.25¢), and Alaska (27.35¢). Remove those three and the remaining ten states average just 14.62¢/kWh, well below the national average.
Abundant hydroelectric power in the Pacific Northwest and growing solar capacity in the desert Southwest keep costs down. Idaho (12.70¢) and Montana (13.90¢) are among the most affordable states in the country.
Midwest
16.55¢/kWhThe Midwest sits below the national average with a wide internal spread. Michigan (21.39¢) and Wisconsin (19.21¢) push the regional average higher, while wind-rich Great Plains states like North Dakota (12.35¢) and Nebraska (13.28¢) keep costs low. Deregulated markets in Ohio and Illinois give consumers in those states the option to compare and switch providers for potential savings of 15–30%.
Southeast
16.16¢/kWhLow fuel costs and stable regulatory environments keep southeastern rates well below the national average. Tennessee (14.94¢) and Georgia (15.37¢) benefit from TVA hydroelectric infrastructure and nuclear baseload generation. None of these ten states offer retail electricity choice — rates are set by regulated utilities — but the trade-off is generally lower, more predictable pricing.
South Central
14.73¢/kWhThe four South Central states enjoy the lowest regional average in the country. Arkansas (14.16¢) and Louisiana (14.44¢) lead the region in affordability thanks to abundant natural gas production and refining capacity. Texas (16.99¢) is the regional outlier — its deregulated ERCOT market creates more price variability, but also gives consumers more provider choices than any other state. Oklahoma (13.31¢) rounds out the group with rates comfortably below the national average.
How Have U.S. Electricity Rates Changed Since 2022?
The average U.S. residential electricity rate rose 25% in four years, from 15.04 cents per kWh in 2022 to 18.83 cents per kWh in April 2026, according to EIA data. Year-over-year increases were +6.4% (2023), +3.0% (2024), +5.0% (2025), and +7.4% (April 2026 vs. April 2025).
Rising natural gas prices, grid modernization investments, record data center construction, and electric vehicle adoption are the primary drivers of the sustained increase.
| Year | Avg Rate (¢/kWh) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 15.04 | — |
| 2023 | 16.00 | +6.4% |
| 2024 | 16.48 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | 17.30 | +5.0% |
| 2026* | 18.83 | +7.4% |
*The 2026 figure of 18.83¢ is the April 2026 monthly rate (the most recent complete state-level EIA data), not a full-year average. The +7.4% change compares April 2026 to April 2025. The 2022–2025 figures are full-year annual averages.
Rising natural gas prices and record electricity demand growth are the primary drivers. Data center construction pushed commercial and industrial consumption to new highs, while grid-hardening investments after extreme weather events added infrastructure costs that utilities passed through to ratepayers.
FAQ
What is the average electricity rate in the US?
The average U.S. electricity rate is 18.83¢/kWh for residential customers and 13.51¢/kWh for commercial customers as of July 2026. Rates range from 12.35¢/kWh in North Dakota to 46.62¢/kWh in Hawaii. The national average has risen 7.4% year-over-year as of April 2026. See the full state-by-state rate table above for every state’s current residential and commercial rates.
What state has the cheapest electricity?
North Dakota has the cheapest residential electricity at 12.35¢/kWh, 34% below the national average. It is followed by Nebraska (12.70¢), Utah (13.29¢), Oklahoma (13.31¢), and Idaho (13.28¢). For commercial rates, North Dakota is cheapest at 7.05¢/kWh. Low rates in these states are driven by abundant natural gas, hydroelectric power, wind energy, and low population density. See the full top 10 cheapest states.
What state has the most expensive electricity?
Hawaii has the most expensive electricity at 46.62¢/kWh, 148% above the national average. It imports petroleum for most power generation. California (35.25¢), Maine (28.42¢), Connecticut (32.24¢), and Massachusetts (29.45¢) round out the top five.
Six of the ten most expensive states are in New England. Aging grid infrastructure and reliance on imported natural gas drive costs higher across the region. See the full top 10 most expensive states.
Why is my electric bill so high?
High electric bills are typically caused by above-average rates in your state, seasonal usage spikes (AC in summer, heating in winter), inefficient appliances, or being on your utility’s default rate instead of a competitive plan. In deregulated states, switching providers can save 15–30%.
Check your cost per kWh on your bill and compare it to your state’s average in the rate table above. If you’re paying more, you may be overpaying.
How much does electricity cost per kWh?
Electricity costs an average of 18.83 cents per kWh for residential customers in the U.S. as of 2026. The cost per kWh varies dramatically by state: from 12.35¢ in North Dakota to 46.62¢ in Hawaii. Commercial rates average 13.51¢/kWh nationally, about 28% less than residential. Your actual rate also depends on your usage tier, plan type, and whether you live in a regulated or deregulated market.
Can I choose my electricity provider?
Yes, if you live in a deregulated state. 14 states plus D.C. have competitive electricity markets where you can shop for a provider: Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and parts of others.
Customers in deregulated markets save 15–30% on average by comparing plans. Your utility still delivers the power and handles outages. Only the generation company changes.
Why are electricity rates going up?
U.S. electricity rates rose 7.4% year-over-year as of April 2026. Key drivers include:
- Rising natural gas prices
- Grid modernization and weather-hardening investments
- Increased demand from data centers and electric vehicles
- Renewable energy transition costs
Maine (+22.6%), Idaho (+15.3%), and Montana (+14.9%) saw the steepest increases. Connecticut (-7.3%) was the only state to see a decrease. See the historical trend section for how rates have changed over the past four years. Data sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
What is a deregulated electricity market?
A deregulated electricity market is one where consumers can choose their electricity supplier instead of being locked into a single utility. Your local utility still delivers the power and maintains the grid, but you pick which company generates it. Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts are the largest deregulated markets. Shopping for a competitive rate in these states can lower your bill by 15–30%. See our deregulated energy markets map for the full list.
How can I lower my electricity bill?
The fastest way to lower your electricity bill is to compare providers in deregulated states. Switching can save 15–30% with zero lifestyle changes. Other strategies:
- Switch to LED lighting
- Upgrade to Energy Star appliances
- Install a smart thermostat
- Seal air leaks
- Shift usage to off-peak hours
- Consider rooftop solar if you own your home
Many utilities also offer free energy audits to identify savings.
Data Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Form EIA-861M. Rates based on EIA data through April 2026. Last refresh: June 30, 2026.