Average Electricity Prices by State

US electricity rates at a glance

Most of your bill might not be electricity

On a 900 kWh bill in California, the electricity itself costs about $115.69. The rest of the bill — the fixed customer charge, delivery, transmission, riders, and taxes — adds $242.22, for a total of $357.91. That means 67.7% of the bill is something other than power. Across the 20 states where the utility files a separate energy-versus-delivery split, non-energy charges range from 22.5% (Nevada) to 67.7% (California). See the full breakdown by state.

Figures model Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)'s standard residential tariff at 900 kWh (as of March 2026); California's income-graduated base charge is modeled at the standard tier. Methodology and per-state sources are on the hidden fees page.

Electricity prices by state

Monthly bill uses the all-in average rate at 900 kWh per month — fixed charges and utility fees are already inside the rate; locally billed taxes vary by area.

Cheapest states for electricity

North Dakota has the cheapest electricity in the country. Its average residential rate is 12.35¢/kWh. That sits about 36% below the 19.32¢/kWh state average. At 900 kWh a month, a typical estimated electricity bill there is about $111. Over a year, that is roughly $1334. The next-lowest rates are in Idaho at 12.7¢, Nebraska at 13.28¢, Utah at 13.29¢, and Oklahoma at 13.31¢. These states cluster near low-cost power. Many lean on hydro, natural gas, or local coal. Right now, 34 of 51 jurisdictions sit at or below the 19.32¢/kWh average. The 51-jurisdiction median rate is 16.54¢/kWh. The spread is wide: rates run from 12.35¢ up to 46.62¢, a range of 34.27¢. On a 900 kWh bill, that gap is about $308 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 46.62¢/kWh. That is about 141% above the 19.32¢/kWh state average. At 900 kWh a month, a typical estimated electricity bill there costs about $420. Over a year, that is roughly $5035. That is about $308 more than North Dakota, the cheapest state, for the same use. In percentage terms, the Hawaii bill is about 277% higher than North Dakota's. Other high-cost states include California at 35.25¢, Connecticut at 32.24¢, Massachusetts at 29.45¢, and New York at 29.45¢. Right now, 17 of 51 jurisdictions price above the 19.32¢/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 16.54¢/kWh, far below the top. On a yearly basis, a 900 kWh home in Hawaii pays about $3701 more than one in North Dakota. At the median rate, that same month costs about $149. 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 19.32¢/kWh. The median is 16.54¢/kWh across 51 jurisdictions, about 2.78¢ below the average. The gap between states is wide. Rates run from 12.35¢ in North Dakota to 46.62¢ in Hawaii. That is a spread of 34.27¢ from lowest to highest. On a 900 kWh bill, the gap is about $308 a month. A 900 kWh month at the average rate costs about $174, and about $149 at the median. Today, 17 jurisdictions price above the average and 34 sit at or below it. The five priciest are Hawaii (46.62¢), California (35.25¢), Connecticut (32.24¢), Massachusetts (29.45¢), and New York (29.45¢). The five cheapest are North Dakota (12.35¢), Idaho (12.7¢), Nebraska (13.28¢), Utah (13.29¢), and Oklahoma (13.31¢). On a yearly basis, the gap between Hawaii and North Dakota is about $3701. North Dakota runs about 36% below the average, while Hawaii runs about 141% 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 12.35¢/kWh. That is about 36% below the 19.32¢/kWh state average. The next-lowest rates are in Idaho at 12.7¢, Nebraska at 13.28¢, Utah at 13.29¢, and Oklahoma at 13.31¢. At 900 kWh a month, a typical estimated electricity bill in North Dakota is about $111 at the all-in average rate. Compare any two states.

Which state has the most expensive electricity?

Hawaii has the most expensive electricity, at an average residential rate of 46.62¢/kWh — about 141% above the 19.32¢/kWh state average. Other high-cost states include California at 35.25¢, Connecticut at 32.24¢, Massachusetts at 29.45¢, and New York at 29.45¢. At 900 kWh a month, a typical estimated electricity bill in Hawaii is about $420 at the all-in average rate. Why electricity is expensive.

What is the average electricity rate in the US?

The average state rate is 19.32¢/kWh, and the median is 16.54¢/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 $174 at the all-in average rate. How rates are presented.

How much of an electricity bill is not the electricity itself?

Often around half — and in some states much more. Non-energy charges (the fixed customer charge, delivery, transmission, riders, and taxes) range from 22.5% of the bill in Nevada to 67.7% in California, across the 20 states where the utility files a separate energy-versus-delivery split. In California, a 900 kWh month costs about $115.69 in electricity but $357.91 in total. Hidden fees and charges by state.

Why is electricity so expensive in Hawaii?

At 46.62¢/kWh, Hawaii sits about 141% above the 19.32¢/kWh state average. Fuel mix, distance from generation, grid upkeep, and state policy all push rates higher. A 900 kWh month there costs about $420, roughly $308 more than North Dakota. What drives prices in Hawaii.

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