How Much Does Electricity Cost in Your State?
Like running water, the price of electricity is something we don’t typically worry about until after a high electricity bill arrives. But understanding how much electricity costs – and how the price changes over time – is the first step toward lowering your energy costs.
In this article, we’ll explore the cost of electricity in each state and how it affects your monthly electricity bill.
How Much Does Electricity Cost?
Electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and its price is typically measured by how many cents each kilowatt-hour costs (cents/kWh). So, How much does a kilowatt-hour of electricity cost? It depends!
The national average cost of electricity reached 17.6 cents per kWh head into 2025, according to the latest data available by the Energy Information Administration. However, electricity prices vary from utility to utility, and the average cost per kilowatt-hour in the U.S. ranges from 11 to 41 cents — quite a spread!
Use the map below to see the average cost of electricity per kWh in your state.
Electricity Cost per kWh by State
Which states have the highest electric rates?
Hawaii consistently has the highest utility electricity rates in the country due largely to its reliance on imported petroleum for over 80% of its electricity generation. Heading into 2025, the average price of electricity is more than 41 cents per kilowatt-hour – 11 cents higher than the next closest states.
Top 10 states with the highest electricity rates:
| Rank | State | Average residential electricity rate (cents/kWh)* |
| 1 | Hawaii | 0.41 |
| 2 | California | 0.30 |
| 3 | Connecticut | 0.30 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 0.29 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | 0.28 |
| 6 | Maine | 0.26 |
| 7 | Alaska | 0.26 |
| 8 | New York | 0.25 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 0.25 |
| 10 | Vermont | 0.23 |
*Based on the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA)
Which state has the cheapest electricity?
The competition for the lowest electricity rates is much tougher than for the highest rates, with Washington, Louisiana, and Idaho typically leading the charge.
Top 10 states with the lowest electricity rates:
| Rank | State | Average residential electricity rate (cents/kWh)* |
| 51 | Utah | 0.11 |
| 50 | Louisiana | 0.12 |
| 49 | Arkansas | 0.12 |
| 48 | North Dakota | 0.12 |
| 47 | Nebraska | 0.12 |
| 46 | Idaho | 0.12 |
| 45 | Washington | 0.13 |
| 44 | Missouri | 0.13 |
| 43 | Tennessee | 0.13 |
| 42 | Iowa | 0.13 |
*Based on the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA)
How much does electricity cost per month?
The average monthly electricity bill in the US is $154 per month (not including fixed fees) based on utility rates for early 2025. This figure includes all housing types and sizes. However, electricity costs tend to vary based on:
- The size of your house
- The number of people using electricity in your home
- Climate conditions
- How you heat and cool it
- Other large electricity loads (EV charging, pool pump, hot tub, electric water heating, etc)
- Your utility rate plan (flat rates versus time-of-use rates)
The average bill also depends on local utility rates and electricity consumption.
For example, Louisiana has some of the cheapest grid electricity in the nation, but it also has the highest residential electricity consumption per household and therefore some of the highest monthly electricity costs. Meanwhile, Vermonters pay a premium for grid electricity, but use fewer than 600 kWh per month, on average, and therefore have relatively low electricity costs.
| State | Avg. electricity price | Avg. monthly consumption | Average electricity costs per month |
| Connecticut | 29.96 cents per kWh | 713 kWh | $214 |
| Louisiana | 11.84 cents per kWh | 1,192 kWh | $141 |
| Vermont | 23.21 cents per kWh | 567 kWh | $132 |
| New Mexico | 14.23 cents per kWh | 646 kWh | $92 |
Every state has a unique combination of electricity prices and consumption that make up an average electric bill. While electricity consumption largely depends on heating and cooling needs based on climate conditions, utility rates are affected by a mess of economic and political market forces that are too much to untangle here.
The map below shows the average electric bill for each state in 2025, based on the latest available utility rate data. It's worth noting that electricity costs vary throughout the year with your consumption habits.
Until the last decade or so, homeowners could only lower their electricity costs by reducing their consumption. However, between the rising cost of utility electricity and robust solar incentives (including a 30% tax credit available in every state), homeowners can now lower their electric bill by installing solar panels.
What costs the most on an electricity bill?
Heating, cooling, and home EV charging typically use the most electricity in a household and therefore cost the most on an electricity bill. Heating and cooling make up between 30-50% of the average household’s electricity consumption while charging an EV requires around 300 kWh per month for a driver traveling 37 miles per day (the national average).
It’s worth noting that heating and cooling can only realistically (and safely) be reduced so far in an era of extreme weather events, and EV charging is much cheaper than fueling a gas car.
So, it’s far more effective to lower your electricity rate than to shave down your heating, cooling, and EV charging usage.
Lower your electricity costs with solar
On average, utility electricity rates have increased by 26% since 2021, substantially increasing the cost of electricity in 2025. If you are unhappy with your electricity costs, connect with an Energy Advisor to design a custom solar system and compare binding quotes from local installers.
