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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Aug 17, 2026

US residential electricity averaged 18.44¢/kWh in May 2026

US residential electricity averaged 18.44¢/kWh in May 2026. Hawaii was the most expensive at 52.00¢/kWh and Idaho the least at 12.35¢/kWh, a 4.2× spread across 51 jurisdictions. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration Form EIA-861M.

Key figures

  • US average: 18.44¢/kWh (EIA, May 2026)
  • Highest: Hawaii at 52.00¢/kWh
  • Lowest: Idaho at 12.35¢/kWh
  • Spread: 4.2× across 51 jurisdictions

Largest month-over-month moves (April 2026 to May 2026)

Largest increases

  1. Hawaii +5.38¢ to 52.00¢/kWh (+11.54%)
  2. Illinois +3.38¢ to 23.85¢/kWh (+16.51%)
  3. North Dakota +1.26¢ to 13.61¢/kWh (+10.2%)
  4. South Dakota +1.21¢ to 15.73¢/kWh (+8.33%)
  5. Rhode Island +1.16¢ to 29.46¢/kWh (+4.1%)

Largest decreases

  1. Connecticut −4.87¢ to 27.37¢/kWh (-15.11%)
  2. California −2.00¢ to 33.25¢/kWh (-5.67%)
  3. North Carolina −1.16¢ to 15.09¢/kWh (-7.14%)
  4. New Mexico −1.03¢ to 14.12¢/kWh (-6.8%)
  5. South Carolina −0.88¢ to 16.18¢/kWh (-5.16%)

Copy-ready citation

PriceOfElectricity.com. "US residential electricity averaged 18.44¢/kWh in May 2026." https://www.priceofelectricity.com/press/press-release

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PriceOfElectricity.com publishes U.S. residential electricity rates by state from the Energy Information Administration's monthly EIA-861M release. Figures are all-in average residential prices — delivery, fixed charges, and utility fees are already inside them. Locally billed taxes vary by area. The site does not sell electricity.

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