Cheapest, most expensive, and fastest-rising electricity rates by state — updated March 2026 EIA data
Electricity rates vary dramatically across the United States, creating significant differences in what households pay for power. The rankings below show all 50 states and the District of Columbia ranked by their average residential electricity rate as of March 2026, based on the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The national average residential rate stands at 18.56 cents per kilowatt-hour, but rates range from a low of 11.95 cents in North Dakota to a high of 42.23 cents in Hawaii.
Understanding your state's ranking helps contextualize your electricity costs and can guide your energy efficiency and budgeting decisions. Households in higher-ranking (more expensive) states benefit more from energy efficiency investments, since each kilowatt-hour saved is valued at a higher rate. Use our Monthly Electric Bill Calculator to get a personalized estimate based on your specific home characteristics and usage patterns.
The most expensive states for electricity in 2026 are primarily concentrated in New England, Hawaii, and the Pacific region. Hawaii leads at 42.23 cents/kWh, followed by Rhode Island at 28.55 cents, Massachusetts at 30.82 cents, Connecticut at 30.04 cents, and New Hampshire at 25.33 cents. These states face unique challenges including geographic isolation, limited local fuel resources, aging infrastructure, and ambitious renewable energy goals that require significant capital investment.
The least expensive states are concentrated in regions with abundant low-cost energy resources. North Dakota leads at 11.95 cents/kWh, followed by Washington at 12.00 cents, Utah at 12.06 cents, Nebraska at 12.32 cents, and Idaho at 12.34 cents. These states benefit from access to low-cost hydroelectric power, abundant natural gas reserves, and efficient generation fleets. Use our State Electric Bill Comparison tool to compare specific states side by side.
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Our state electricity rate rankings are based on the average residential electricity price in cents per kilowatt-hour for each state and the District of Columbia, as reported in the EIA's Electric Power Monthly report for March 2026. The rankings reflect the total average rate, which includes generation, transmission, distribution, and all applicable taxes and fees. Rates are ranked from highest to lowest, with rank 1 being the most expensive and rank 51 being the least expensive.
It is important to note that the ranking represents the average rate across all utilities and rate plans within each state. Individual utility rates within a state can vary significantly. For example, California's average rate of 33.35 cents per kWh masks substantial variation between Pacific Gas & Electric territory, Southern California Edison, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. For the most accurate estimate of your household electricity costs, use our Monthly Bill Calculator with your specific state selected, and contact your local utility for your exact rate plan details.
Several structural factors determine where a state falls in the electricity rate rankings. Fuel mix is the primary driver: states with abundant low-cost hydroelectric power consistently rank among the least expensive, while states that rely on imported fuels or have ambitious renewable energy mandates tend to rank higher. Regulatory environment also matters: states with competitive retail electricity markets may offer more rate options, while regulated monopoly states have rates set by public utility commissions. Geographic and demographic factors such as population density, climate, and infrastructure age also contribute to rate differences between states.
Changes in a state's ranking from year to year can result from fuel price fluctuations, new power plant construction, utility rate cases, regulatory policy changes, or updates to renewable portfolio standards. The EIA updates its rate data monthly, and we incorporate these updates into our calculators and rankings on a quarterly basis to ensure our users have access to the most current information available.
Your state's electricity rate ranking can inform several important household decisions. If you live in a high-ranking (high-cost) state, energy efficiency investments will pay off faster because each kilowatt-hour you save is valued at a higher rate. A refrigerator upgrade that saves 200 kWh per year would save about $24 in North Dakota but over $84 in Hawaii. Similarly, solar panel installations are generally more financially attractive in high-rate states where they offset more expensive grid electricity.
For households considering an interstate move, electricity rate rankings provide valuable context for comparing housing costs between locations. A family moving from a low-ranked state like Louisiana to a high-ranked state like Connecticut could see their monthly electric bill more than double, adding $100 to $250 per month to their housing costs. Factoring these differences into your relocation budget helps avoid unpleasant surprises. Use our State Electric Bill Comparison tool to compare costs between your current and potential new locations based on your specific home size and household characteristics.
State electricity rate rankings have remained relatively stable over the past decade, with the most and least expensive states maintaining their relative positions. Hawaii has consistently ranked as the most expensive state due to its reliance on imported oil for electricity generation. States in the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West have consistently ranked among the least expensive, benefiting from abundant hydroelectric power and low-cost coal and natural gas. However, significant shifts have occurred in some states due to changes in fuel prices, regulatory policies, and infrastructure investments.
California's ranking has risen over the past decade as the state has invested heavily in wildfire mitigation, grid modernization, and renewable energy integration. New England states have seen their rankings rise as they have transitioned away from coal and toward natural gas and renewables. Conversely, states with significant wind energy development in the Great Plains and Midwest have seen their relative rankings improve as low-cost wind power has helped stabilize or reduce wholesale electricity prices. These trends highlight the dynamic nature of electricity pricing and the importance of using current data when making energy decisions.
The rankings on this page are based on the average residential electricity price in cents per kilowatt-hour as reported by the EIA. These averages include all components of the retail electricity price: generation, transmission, distribution, taxes, and other fees. The rankings reflect the price that residential customers pay on average across all utilities and rate plans within each state. Individual customer bills may vary from the state average due to differences in rate plan selection, usage patterns, and applicable taxes and fees.
State averages can mask significant variation within a state. For example, in California, rates in Pacific Gas and Electric territory differ from those in Southern California Edison or Los Angeles Department of Water and Power service areas. In Texas, rates vary by retail electricity provider and plan type. In New York, Con Edison customers in New York City pay different rates than National Grid customers in upstate New York. For the most accurate estimate of your own electricity costs, always use our Monthly Bill Calculator with your specific state selected, and reference your actual utility bill for your exact rate.
It is important to understand that a state's rate ranking does not directly determine your monthly bill amount. A state with relatively low rates may still produce high bills if households in that state consume large amounts of electricity, while a state with high rates may produce moderate bills if households consume less. For example, Texas has a below-average rate of 16.39 cents per kWh but above-average consumption of 1,155 kWh per month, resulting in monthly bills comparable to states with higher rates but lower consumption. Always consider both rate and consumption when evaluating electricity costs.
Our Monthly Bill Calculator accounts for both your state's rate and typical consumption patterns for your home size and number of residents, providing a more complete picture of your expected costs than rate rankings alone. Use it in combination with these rankings to understand both where your state stands nationally and what that means for your household budget.