Average Electricity Prices by State

Electricity prices by state

Monthly bill is an energy-only estimate at 900 kWh per month and excludes delivery fees, taxes, and fixed charges.

Cheapest states for electricity

North Dakota has the cheapest electricity in the country. Its average residential rate is 11.95¢/kWh. That sits about 38% below the 19.16¢/kWh state average. At 900 kWh a month, a typical energy-only bill there is about $108. Over a year, that is roughly $1291. The next-lowest rates are in Idaho at 13.01¢, Nebraska at 13.1¢, Utah at 13.17¢, and Iowa at 13.42¢. These states cluster near low-cost power. Many lean on hydro, natural gas, or local coal. Right now, 36 of 51 jurisdictions sit at or below the 19.16¢/kWh average. The 51-jurisdiction median rate is 16.37¢/kWh. The spread is wide: rates run from 11.95¢ up to 42.23¢, a range of 30.28¢. On a 900 kWh bill, that gap is about $273 a month between North Dakota and Hawaii. Lower rates leave more room for electric heat, water heating, and EV charging. Open any state page for its local rate, bill math, and trend. Use the comparison tool to line up two states side by side. For the full state-by-state breakdown, see electricity cost by state. To download the raw rates, visit the dataset page.

Most expensive states

Hawaii has the most expensive electricity. Its average residential rate is 42.23¢/kWh. That is about 120% above the 19.16¢/kWh state average. At 900 kWh a month, a typical energy-only bill there costs about $380. Over a year, that is roughly $4561. That is about $273 more than North Dakota, the cheapest state, for the same use. In percentage terms, the Hawaii bill is about 253% higher than North Dakota's. Other high-cost states include Maryland at 35.85¢, California at 33.35¢, Connecticut at 30.47¢, and Massachusetts at 30.21¢. Right now, 15 of 51 jurisdictions price above the 19.16¢/kWh average. High rates often track imported fuel and long delivery distances. Island and remote grids cost more to build and run. Storm recovery and state policy can add to bills too. The 51-jurisdiction median rate is 16.37¢/kWh, far below the top. On a yearly basis, a 900 kWh home in Hawaii pays about $3270 more than one in North Dakota. At the median rate, that same month costs about $147. Read why electricity is expensive for the main drivers. See the drivers in Hawaii on its drivers page. The full ranking, highest to lowest, is on the compare page.

How electricity prices are trending

The current state average is 19.16¢/kWh. The median is 16.37¢/kWh across 51 jurisdictions, about 2.79¢ below the average. The gap between states is wide. Rates run from 11.95¢ in North Dakota to 42.23¢ in Hawaii. That is a spread of 30.28¢ from lowest to highest. On a 900 kWh bill, the gap is about $273 a month. A 900 kWh month at the average rate costs about $172, and about $147 at the median. Today, 15 jurisdictions price above the average and 36 sit at or below it. The five priciest are Hawaii (42.23¢), Maryland (35.85¢), California (33.35¢), Connecticut (30.47¢), and Massachusetts (30.21¢). The five cheapest are North Dakota (11.95¢), Idaho (13.01¢), Nebraska (13.1¢), Utah (13.17¢), and Iowa (13.42¢). On a yearly basis, the gap between Hawaii and North Dakota is about $3270. North Dakota runs about 38% below the average, while Hawaii runs about 120% above it. Most price pressure comes from fuel costs and grid upgrades. This page shows the latest complete EIA snapshot, not a forecast. For month-by-month movement, open electricity trends. For longer swings and volatility, see electricity inflation. Those pages chart the data over time.

Electricity price FAQs

Which state has the cheapest electricity?

North Dakota has the cheapest electricity in the United States, at an average residential rate of 11.95¢/kWh. That is about 38% below the 19.16¢/kWh state average. The next-lowest rates are in Idaho at 13.01¢, Nebraska at 13.1¢, Utah at 13.17¢, and Iowa at 13.42¢. At 900 kWh a month, a typical energy-only bill in North Dakota is about $108. Compare any two states.

Which state has the most expensive electricity?

Hawaii has the most expensive electricity, at an average residential rate of 42.23¢/kWh — about 120% above the 19.16¢/kWh state average. Other high-cost states include Maryland at 35.85¢, California at 33.35¢, Connecticut at 30.47¢, and Massachusetts at 30.21¢. At 900 kWh a month, a typical energy-only bill in Hawaii is about $380. Why electricity is expensive.

What is the average electricity rate in the US?

The average state rate is 19.16¢/kWh, and the median is 16.37¢/kWh across 51 jurisdictions. This is an unweighted average of state-level rates, not a consumption-weighted national figure. At 900 kWh a month, that average works out to about $172 in energy-only cost. How rates are presented.

Why is electricity so expensive in Hawaii?

At 42.23¢/kWh, Hawaii sits about 120% above the 19.16¢/kWh state average. Fuel mix, distance from generation, grid upkeep, and state policy all push rates higher. A 900 kWh month there costs about $380, roughly $273 more than North Dakota. What drives prices in Hawaii.

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