Retail residential electricity prices in the United States have mostly risen over the last decades. In 2023, prices registered a year-over-year growth of 6.3 percent, the highest growth registered since the beginning of the century. Residential prices are projected to continue to grow by two percent in 2024. Drivers of electricity price growth The price of electricity is partially dependent on the various energy sources used for generation, such as coal, gas, oil, renewable energy, or nuclear. In the U.S., electricity prices are highly connected to natural gas prices. As the commodity is exposed to international markets that pay a higher rate, U.S. prices are also expected to rise, as it has been witnessed during the energy crisis in 2022. Electricity demand is also expected to increase, especially in regions that will likely require more heating or cooling as climate change impacts progress, driving up electricity prices. Which states pay the most for electricity? Electricity prices can vary greatly depending on both state and region. Hawaii has the highest electricity prices in the U.S., at roughly 43 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour as of May 2023, due to the high costs of crude oil used to fuel the state’s electricity. In comparison, Idaho has one of the lowest retail rates. Much of the state’s energy is generated from hydroelectricity, which requires virtually no fuel. In addition, construction costs can be spread out over decades.

The retail price for electricity in the United States stood at an average of ***** U.S. dollar cents per kilowatt-hour in 2024. This is the highest figure reported in the indicated period. Nevertheless, the U.S. still has one of the lowest electricity prices worldwide. As a major producer of primary energy, energy prices are lower than in countries that are more reliant on imports or impose higher taxes. Regional variations and sector disparities The impact of rising electricity costs across U.S. states is not uniform. Hawaii stands out with the highest household electricity price, reaching a staggering ***** U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour in September 2024. This stark contrast is primarily due to Hawaii's heavy reliance on imported oil for power generation. On the other hand, states like Utah benefit from lower rates, with prices around **** U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour. Regarding U.S. prices by sector, residential customers have borne the brunt of price increases, paying an average of ***** U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour in 2023, significantly more than commercial and industrial sectors. Factors driving price increases Several factors contribute to the upward trend in electricity prices. The integration of renewable energy sources, investments in smart grid technologies, and rising peak demand all play a role. Additionally, the global energy crisis of 2022 and natural disasters affecting power infrastructure have put pressure on the electric utility industry. The close connection between U.S. electricity prices and natural gas markets also influences rates, as domestic prices are affected by higher-paying international markets. Looking ahead, projections suggest a continued increase in electricity prices, with residential rates expected to grow by *** percent in 2024, driven by factors such as increased demand and the ongoing effects of climate change.

United States EIA Forecast: Electricity Price: Retail: Residential Sector data was reported at 13.027 0.01 USD/kWh in Dec 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 13.488 0.01 USD/kWh for Nov 2019. United States EIA Forecast: Electricity Price: Retail: Residential Sector data is updated monthly, averaging 13.050 0.01 USD/kWh from Mar 2016 (Median) to Dec 2019, with 46 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.716 0.01 USD/kWh in Sep 2019 and a record low of 12.002 0.01 USD/kWh in Jan 2017. United States EIA Forecast: Electricity Price: Retail: Residential Sector data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.P003: Energy Price: Forecast: Energy Information Administration.

This statistic represents the price of electricity to industrial consumers in selected European countries during the last six months of 2017, with a breakdown by country. In Ireland, consumers in the industrial sector paid around ***** euro cents plus tax for one kilowatt hour of electricity.

Industrial sector electricity prices in selected European countries

At **** euro-cents per kilowatt hour, Czechia has some of the cheapest industrial sector electricity rates, reaching less than half that of Malta’s. Malta’s industrial sector electricity price is among the highest in the European Union, reaching ***** euro-cents per kilowatt hour in December 2017. Compared to other countries, some EU member states have very high electricity prices overall. Electricity prices in Italy are in excess of ** U.S. dollar cents per kilowatt hour while Canada’s electricity prices average about **** U.S. dollar cents per kilowatt hour.

Power tariffs can vary by a large range by country - and often within individual countries as well. Differences in prices are due to a range of factors such as market price of fuel used, subsidies, and industry regulation. Supply and demand are also highly influential in changing prices. Certain weather patterns, such as high heat, can also raise prices when use of air conditioning becomes more prevalent. In virtually all markets, like that of the European Union, electricity rates also vary for industrial, residential, and commercial customers. Since expenditures for power can slab off a fair amount of a company’s revenue, industrial electricity tariffs – particularly when it comes to power-intensive industries, including the cement or metal manufacturing sectors - are often lower than residential rates. Household electricity prices are among the highest in Denmark, where those with an annual consumption of 1,000 to ***** kilowatt hours must pay about ** euro-cents per kilowatt hour.

The average wholesale electricity price in September 2025 in the United Kingdom is forecast to amount to*******British pounds per megawatt-hour, a decrease from the previous month. A record high was reached in August 2022 when day-ahead baseload contracts averaged ***** British pounds per megawatt-hour. Electricity price stabilization in Europe Electricity prices increased in 2024 compared to the previous year, when prices stabilized after the energy supply shortage. Price spikes were driven by the growing wholesale prices of natural gas and coal worldwide, which are among the main sources of power in the region.

… and in the United Kingdom? The United Kingdom was one of the countries with the highest electricity prices worldwide during the energy crisis. Since then, prices have been stabilizing, almost to pre-energy crisis levels. The use of nuclear, wind, and bioenergy for electricity generation has been increasing recently. The fuel types are an alternative to fossil fuels and are part of the country's power generation plans going into the future.