A comprehensive dataset of average residential, commercial, and combined electricity rates in cents per kWh for all 50 U.S. states.

The average retail price of electricity for households has risen steadily in the United States, reaching a peak of around 15.98 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2023. In the U.S., electricity prices tend to reflect base overnight costs for power plants, their maintenance, fuel costs, and the operation of power grids. How electricity rates differ across states in the U.S. The price of electricity varies widely across states. Hawaii has continuously had one of the highest rates and Washington one of the lowest. In Hawaii, the power sector is largely reliant on petroleum and diesel generators. Crude oil is a comparatively expensive fuel and prices tend to be volatile, driving up overall electricity prices. Meanwhile, electricity prices are low in states which use hydropower as the main source of electricity, as Washington. In the U.S., costs of electricity are greatly shaped by the primary power source used per state. Maintaining the power grid In addition to primary fuel purchases, the costs required to operate and maintain transmission and distribution systems also impact the prices that a household pays. In 2022, power utilities reported a peak in grid operating expenses, with transmission-related costs reaching 15.9 billion U.S. dollars and almost six billion U.S. dollars invested in distribution networks.

Monthly average retail electricity prices by state from EIA (Residential, Commercial, All Sectors).

Graph and download economic data for Average Price: Electricity per Kilowatt-Hour in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (CBSA) (APUS35A72610) from Nov 1978 to Dec 2024 about DC, WV, Washington, MD, electricity, energy, VA, urban, retail, price, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Average Price: Electricity per Kilowatt-Hour in Portland-Salem, OR-WA (CBSA) (APUA42572610) from Nov 1978 to Dec 1986 about Portland, OR, electricity, WA, energy, urban, retail, price, and USA.

Hawaii is the state with the highest household electricity price in the United States. In February 2025, the average retail price of electricity for Hawaiian residences amounted to 41.11 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour. California followed in second, with 32.41 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour. Meanwhile, Utah registered the lowest price in the period, at around 12.41 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour. Why is electricity so expensive in Hawaii? Fossil fuels, and specifically oil, account for approximately 80 percent of Hawaii’s electricity mix, so the electricity price in this state can be roughly brought down to the price of oil in the country. Oil was by far the most expensive fossil fuel used for electricity generation in the country. As Hawaii depends on oil imports, the cost of transportation and infrastructure must be added to the oil price. Electricity prices worldwide The U.S. retail price for electricity increased almost every year since 1990. In 2024, it stood at 13 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour, almost double the charge put on electricity back in 1990. However, household electricity prices are around 25 U.S. dollar cents per kilowatt-hour lower in the U.S. when compared to European countries reliant on energy imports, such as Germany and Italy.

United States - Average Price: Electricity per Kilowatt-Hour in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (CBSA) was 0.16500 Index in December of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Average Price: Electricity per Kilowatt-Hour in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (CBSA) reached a record high of 0.17200 in June of 2024 and a record low of 0.04200 in December of 1978. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Average Price: Electricity per Kilowatt-Hour in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (CBSA) - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Average Price: Electricity per 500 Kilowatt-Hour in Washington, DC-MD-VA (CBSA) (APUA31572621) from Nov 1978 to Dec 1997 about DC, Washington, electricity, MD, energy, VA, urban, retail, price, and USA.