Average Electric Bill by State in 2026: Real Usage, Real Bills, and What 500, 1,000 and 1,500 kWh Cost Today
Two EIA datasets answer this properly. The first is 2025 residential sales, customers and revenue by state, which gives the actual average monthly usage and bill. The second is the June 2026 average residential price by state, the latest published, which tells you what any usage costs now. This page joins them: every figure is computed from the EIA numbers, nothing is estimated.
Quick answer
The average U.S. residential electric bill was $150.27 a month in 2025 for 869 kWh (EIA). The highest state average was Hawaii ($206.73), the lowest New Mexico ($98.07). At June 2026 rates, 1,000 kWh costs $183.40 nationally, $131.10 in Nevada and $527.20 in Hawaii; $150 buys 1,144 kWh in Nevada but 285 kWh in Hawaii. Reviewed September 17, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- ✓A bill is usage × price. The states with the biggest bills are not the states with the highest prices: Louisiana uses 1,223 kWh a month at a mid-range price, Hawaii uses 509 kWh at the highest price in the country.
- ✓Usage ranges from 464 kWh (California) to 1,223 kWh (Louisiana) a month, a 2.6× spread driven by climate and by how many homes heat water and space with electricity.
- ✓The June 2026 U.S. average price (18.34¢) is above the 2025 full-year average (17.30¢); at today's price the 2025 average usage would cost $159.32 instead of $150.27.
- ✓"Average" is a poor target for your own home. Use the tables to place your bill, then the bill estimator to see what is driving it.
Average monthly usage and bill by state (2025, EIA)
Computed from EIA's 2025 residential sales, revenue and customer counts: average monthly kWh = annual sales ÷ customers ÷ 12; average bill = annual revenue ÷ customers ÷ 12. The last column re-prices that same usage at the June 2026 average rate. Sorted by 2025 bill, highest first.
| State | Avg kWh / month | 2025 price ¢/kWh | 2025 avg bill | June 2026 ¢/kWh | Same usage at today's rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. average | 869 | 17.30 | $150.27 | 18.34 | $159.32 |
| Hawaii | 509 | 40.59 | $206.73 | 52.72 | $268.50 |
| Connecticut | 695 | 29.38 | $204.07 | 24.32 | $168.93 |
| Alabama | 1,144 | 16.10 | $184.07 | 16.40 | $187.53 |
| Maryland | 945 | 19.48 | $184.04 | 21.84 | $206.32 |
| Massachusetts | 574 | 30.48 | $174.91 | 29.61 | $169.90 |
| Texas | 1,105 | 15.47 | $170.90 | 15.94 | $176.12 |
| Florida | 1,089 | 15.24 | $166.05 | 15.10 | $164.48 |
| Mississippi | 1,177 | 14.03 | $165.15 | 14.88 | $175.12 |
| West Virginia | 1,070 | 15.41 | $164.96 | 15.45 | $165.38 |
| Rhode Island | 559 | 29.46 | $164.65 | 29.23 | $163.37 |
| Pennsylvania | 846 | 19.30 | $163.24 | 21.73 | $183.84 |
| Virginia | 1,061 | 15.28 | $162.16 | 17.22 | $182.76 |
| Georgia | 1,082 | 14.73 | $159.40 | 16.36 | $177.02 |
| South Carolina | 1,065 | 14.96 | $159.37 | 15.55 | $165.61 |
| Delaware | 929 | 17.13 | $159.08 | 19.29 | $179.17 |
| Tennessee | 1,205 | 13.18 | $158.81 | 14.07 | $169.57 |
| Arizona | 1,019 | 15.32 | $156.19 | 15.18 | $154.71 |
| New Hampshire | 634 | 24.56 | $155.79 | 27.01 | $171.35 |
| Indiana | 950 | 16.23 | $154.22 | 17.51 | $166.36 |
| New York | 584 | 26.39 | $154.09 | 29.49 | $172.16 |
| Louisiana | 1,223 | 12.57 | $153.72 | 13.49 | $165.00 |
| California | 464 | 32.54 | $150.84 | 34.74 | $161.05 |
| Ohio | 879 | 16.96 | $149.08 | 19.19 | $168.72 |
| Kentucky | 1,122 | 13.24 | $148.56 | 14.26 | $160.01 |
| New Jersey | 656 | 22.63 | $148.47 | 24.95 | $163.72 |
| Maine | 527 | 27.78 | $146.50 | 29.59 | $156.06 |
| Alaska | 559 | 26.09 | $145.86 | 28.21 | $157.72 |
| North Carolina | 1,034 | 14.02 | $145.02 | 14.74 | $152.46 |
| Missouri | 1,054 | 13.49 | $142.19 | 16.22 | $171.02 |
| Oklahoma | 1,066 | 13.12 | $139.84 | 14.33 | $152.77 |
| District of Columbia | 636 | 21.94 | $139.58 | 24.39 | $155.19 |
| Arkansas | 1,068 | 12.84 | $137.09 | 14.12 | $150.79 |
| Vermont | 589 | 22.92 | $135.00 | 24.44 | $143.95 |
| South Dakota | 998 | 13.38 | $133.58 | 15.36 | $153.31 |
| Oregon | 867 | 15.37 | $133.32 | 16.32 | $141.56 |
| Kansas | 877 | 14.56 | $127.60 | 15.71 | $137.70 |
| Illinois | 717 | 17.69 | $126.83 | 19.89 | $142.59 |
| Michigan | 632 | 20.01 | $126.53 | 22.99 | $145.37 |
| North Dakota | 1,070 | 11.81 | $126.36 | 14.12 | $151.01 |
| Washington | 948 | 13.11 | $124.24 | 14.91 | $141.30 |
| Wisconsin | 660 | 18.16 | $119.90 | 19.56 | $129.15 |
| Nebraska | 964 | 12.34 | $118.99 | 13.25 | $127.76 |
| Minnesota | 738 | 15.82 | $116.86 | 17.52 | $129.37 |
| Iowa | 851 | 13.72 | $116.75 | 15.93 | $135.55 |
| Nevada | 860 | 13.15 | $113.16 | 13.11 | $112.80 |
| Wyoming | 845 | 13.38 | $113.10 | 15.24 | $128.79 |
| Montana | 847 | 12.98 | $109.87 | 15.14 | $128.19 |
| Idaho | 922 | 11.82 | $109.04 | 14.37 | $132.53 |
| Colorado | 673 | 15.85 | $106.70 | 17.13 | $115.34 |
| Utah | 770 | 13.07 | $100.58 | 13.37 | $102.90 |
| New Mexico | 651 | 15.08 | $98.07 | 15.06 | $97.97 |
Sources: EIA Electricity Data Browser, retail sales, residential sector, annual 2025 (sales, revenue, customers, average price); EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A, June 2026. Bills are revenue-based, so they include fixed charges and riders the utility bills through rates; local taxes may be excluded.
What 500, 1,000 and 1,500 kWh cost at June 2026 rates
The usage table above tells you what the average neighbor pays; this one tells you what your own usage costs. 500 kWh is a small apartment or an efficient home with gas heat and hot water; 1,000 kWh is a little above the national average; 1,500 kWh is a large home, an all-electric home in a hot or cold month, or a home charging an EV. All 51 jurisdictions, ranked cheapest to most expensive; energy charge only.
| State | ¢/kWh | Rank | 500 kWh | 1,000 kWh | 1,500 kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. average | 18.34 | , | $91.70 | $183.40 | $275.10 |
| Nevada | 13.11 | 1 | $65.55 | $131.10 | $196.65 |
| Nebraska | 13.25 | 2 | $66.25 | $132.50 | $198.75 |
| Utah | 13.37 | 3 | $66.85 | $133.70 | $200.55 |
| Louisiana | 13.49 | 4 | $67.45 | $134.90 | $202.35 |
| Tennessee | 14.07 | 5 | $70.35 | $140.70 | $211.05 |
| Arkansas | 14.12 | 6 | $70.60 | $141.20 | $211.80 |
| North Dakota | 14.12 | 7 | $70.60 | $141.20 | $211.80 |
| Kentucky | 14.26 | 8 | $71.30 | $142.60 | $213.90 |
| Oklahoma | 14.33 | 9 | $71.65 | $143.30 | $214.95 |
| Idaho | 14.37 | 10 | $71.85 | $143.70 | $215.55 |
| North Carolina | 14.74 | 11 | $73.70 | $147.40 | $221.10 |
| Mississippi | 14.88 | 12 | $74.40 | $148.80 | $223.20 |
| Washington | 14.91 | 13 | $74.55 | $149.10 | $223.65 |
| New Mexico | 15.06 | 14 | $75.30 | $150.60 | $225.90 |
| Florida | 15.10 | 15 | $75.50 | $151.00 | $226.50 |
| Montana | 15.14 | 16 | $75.70 | $151.40 | $227.10 |
| Arizona | 15.18 | 17 | $75.90 | $151.80 | $227.70 |
| Wyoming | 15.24 | 18 | $76.20 | $152.40 | $228.60 |
| South Dakota | 15.36 | 19 | $76.80 | $153.60 | $230.40 |
| West Virginia | 15.45 | 20 | $77.25 | $154.50 | $231.75 |
| South Carolina | 15.55 | 21 | $77.75 | $155.50 | $233.25 |
| Kansas | 15.71 | 22 | $78.55 | $157.10 | $235.65 |
| Iowa | 15.93 | 23 | $79.65 | $159.30 | $238.95 |
| Texas | 15.94 | 24 | $79.70 | $159.40 | $239.10 |
| Missouri | 16.22 | 25 | $81.10 | $162.20 | $243.30 |
| Oregon | 16.32 | 26 | $81.60 | $163.20 | $244.80 |
| Georgia | 16.36 | 27 | $81.80 | $163.60 | $245.40 |
| Alabama | 16.40 | 28 | $82.00 | $164.00 | $246.00 |
| Colorado | 17.13 | 29 | $85.65 | $171.30 | $256.95 |
| Virginia | 17.22 | 30 | $86.10 | $172.20 | $258.30 |
| Indiana | 17.51 | 31 | $87.55 | $175.10 | $262.65 |
| Minnesota | 17.52 | 32 | $87.60 | $175.20 | $262.80 |
| Ohio | 19.19 | 33 | $95.95 | $191.90 | $287.85 |
| Delaware | 19.29 | 34 | $96.45 | $192.90 | $289.35 |
| Wisconsin | 19.56 | 35 | $97.80 | $195.60 | $293.40 |
| Illinois | 19.89 | 36 | $99.45 | $198.90 | $298.35 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.73 | 37 | $108.65 | $217.30 | $325.95 |
| Maryland | 21.84 | 38 | $109.20 | $218.40 | $327.60 |
| Michigan | 22.99 | 39 | $114.95 | $229.90 | $344.85 |
| Connecticut | 24.32 | 40 | $121.60 | $243.20 | $364.80 |
| District of Columbia | 24.39 | 41 | $121.95 | $243.90 | $365.85 |
| Vermont | 24.44 | 42 | $122.20 | $244.40 | $366.60 |
| New Jersey | 24.95 | 43 | $124.75 | $249.50 | $374.25 |
| New Hampshire | 27.01 | 44 | $135.05 | $270.10 | $405.15 |
| Alaska | 28.21 | 45 | $141.05 | $282.10 | $423.15 |
| Rhode Island | 29.23 | 46 | $146.15 | $292.30 | $438.45 |
| New York | 29.49 | 47 | $147.45 | $294.90 | $442.35 |
| Maine | 29.59 | 48 | $147.95 | $295.90 | $443.85 |
| Massachusetts | 29.61 | 49 | $148.05 | $296.10 | $444.15 |
| California | 34.74 | 50 | $173.70 | $347.40 | $521.10 |
| Hawaii | 52.72 | 51 | $263.60 | $527.20 | $790.80 |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (average residential price, June 2026 data, published September 2026). Energy charge only; fixed customer charges, taxes and riders on your bill are extra.
What a $150 bill buys in the cheapest and most expensive states
$150 is close to the 2025 national average bill, so it is a useful yardstick. Divide it by the rate and you get the kWh it buys; the "vs. avg use" column compares that with the state's actual 2025 average monthly usage. Where the number is below 100%, the average household in that state spends more than $150.
| State | ¢/kWh | kWh for $150 | 2025 avg use (kWh) | vs. avg use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. average | 18.34 | 818 | 869 | 94% |
| Nevada | 13.11 | 1,144 | 860 | 133% |
| Nebraska | 13.25 | 1,132 | 964 | 117% |
| Utah | 13.37 | 1,122 | 770 | 146% |
| Louisiana | 13.49 | 1,112 | 1,223 | 91% |
| Tennessee | 14.07 | 1,066 | 1,205 | 88% |
| Arkansas | 14.12 | 1,062 | 1,068 | 99% |
| North Dakota | 14.12 | 1,062 | 1,070 | 99% |
| Kentucky | 14.26 | 1,052 | 1,122 | 94% |
| Oklahoma | 14.33 | 1,047 | 1,066 | 98% |
| Idaho | 14.37 | 1,044 | 922 | 113% |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (average residential price, June 2026 data, published September 2026). Energy charge only; fixed customer charges, taxes and riders on your bill are extra.
| State | ¢/kWh | kWh for $150 | 2025 avg use (kWh) | vs. avg use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. average | 18.34 | 818 | 869 | 94% |
| Hawaii | 52.72 | 285 | 509 | 56% |
| California | 34.74 | 432 | 464 | 93% |
| Massachusetts | 29.61 | 507 | 574 | 88% |
| Maine | 29.59 | 507 | 527 | 96% |
| New York | 29.49 | 509 | 584 | 87% |
| Rhode Island | 29.23 | 513 | 559 | 92% |
| Alaska | 28.21 | 532 | 559 | 95% |
| New Hampshire | 27.01 | 555 | 634 | 88% |
| New Jersey | 24.95 | 601 | 656 | 92% |
| Vermont | 24.44 | 614 | 589 | 104% |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (average residential price, June 2026 data, published September 2026). Energy charge only; fixed customer charges, taxes and riders on your bill are extra.
Reading the two tables together
High-usage, mid-price states (Louisiana, and the rest of the Southeast and Gulf) have large bills because of long cooling seasons and a high share of electric water heating and heat pumps; the price per kWh is unremarkable. Their lever is kWh: the appliance breakdown and AC usage guide matter more than shopping for a rate.
High-price, low-usage states (Hawaii, California, New England) have gas or oil heat, mild summers and small electric loads; the bill is large because every kWh is expensive. Their lever is price: time-of-use plans, competitive supply where it exists, and solar, which is why those states dominate the shortest solar payback list even without the federal credit.
Low-price, moderate-usage states (Nevada, Nebraska, Utah) simply have small bills. Adding a large new electric load there, an EV or a heat pump, costs the least: see EV charging cost by state and heat pump vs gas by state for the same rate table applied to those decisions.
Placing your own bill
- Find the kWh and the total on your latest bill, then divide: that is your effective all-in price. Compare it with your state's June 2026 EIA rate above. If it is much higher, fixed charges or a high tier are doing the work; the bill-reading guide shows where to look.
- Compare your kWh with your state's 2025 average. Being 50% above it in a mild month points at a specific load: an old water heater, a pool pump, resistance heat. The high-bill checklist works through them in order.
- Model changes before making them. The electric bill estimator starts from your state's EIA rate and lets you add or remove appliances; the electricity cost calculator prices a single device.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average electric bill in the United States?
About $150 a month. EIA's 2025 residential data shows 145,338,734 residential customers using an average of 869 kWh a month at an average 17.30¢/kWh, which works out to $150.27 (annual revenue divided by customers divided by 12). At the June 2026 average rate of 18.34¢/kWh, that same usage would cost $159.32.
Which state has the highest average electric bill?
Hawaii, at $206.73 a month in 2025 (509 kWh at 40.59¢/kWh). The lowest is New Mexico at $98.07. Note that high bills come from two different causes: Louisiana has the highest usage (1,223 kWh a month, mostly cooling and electric water heating) while Hawaii has the highest price (52.72¢/kWh in June 2026) but low usage (509 kWh).
How much does 1,000 kWh cost per month?
At the June 2026 EIA average of 18.34¢/kWh, 1,000 kWh costs $183.40 in energy charges before fixed fees and taxes. By state it ranges from $131.10 in Nevada to $527.20 in Hawaii; in California, the most expensive state in the continental U.S., it is $347.40.
How many kWh does $150 buy?
Divide $150 by your rate. At the national average it buys 818 kWh, which is close to the actual average household's 869 kWh. In Nevada $150 buys 1,144 kWh; in Hawaii only 285 kWh. Fixed customer charges (often $10 to $25 a month) come off the top before any kWh are bought.
Estimate your bill from your home, not the average
State EIA rate preloaded. Add square footage, climate and appliances for a monthly, summer and winter estimate.
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