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

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.

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 U.S. City Average (APU000072610) from Nov 1978 to Aug 2025 about electricity, energy, retail, price, and USA.

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.

In 2024, the retail price of electricity for residential customers in the United States averaged 16.48 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour. Households are charged more than the commercial and industrial sectors, because of the higher distribution costs. Since 2020, electricity customers have seen electricity prices increase in the U.S. and peak in 2024. The U.S. electricity market The U.S. electricity market is led by several types of electricity providers, such as cooperatives, municipal systems, and shareholder-owned electric utilities. In 2022, cooperatives were the most common type of ownership in the U.S., with more than 600 providers. That year, the U.S. electric utility industry revenue amounted to 488 billion U.S. dollars. Electricity prices around the world Electricity prices vary widely from country to country, depending on energy sources used, as well as government and industry subsidies and regulations. In 2023, Ireland and the United Kingdom had some of the highest household electricity prices worldwide. Meanwhile, U.S. households paid some of the lowest prices. However, leading oil and gas-producing regions such as the Middle East registered the cheapest rates overall.

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.

Household electricity prices in China amounted to 7.5 U.S. dollar cents per kilowatt-hour in June 2024. Residential electricity prices increased steadily in the country from September 2020 to September 2021, when it reached 9.3 U.S. dollar cents per kilowatt-hour, and decreased to less than eight U.S. dollar cents per kilowatt-hour in the following months. Growing demand for affordable electricity Through China’s decades of industrialization, increasing power demand has been a constant factor, and policymakers and utility companies have had to balance it with affordability for a population with a relatively low per capita income. Keeping residential electricity prices at a low level is vital, given that many depend on air conditioning in China’s harsh summer months. However, with China’s ongoing electrification of private and public transportation, the demand for electricity will only increase. From black coal to sustainable green The history of the electricity industry is one of constant change and adaptation. Despite its size, China is not rich in energy resources. With coal being the only available fuel, it has supplied electricity to 1.4 billion people and an economy that has undergone incredible growth in the past four decades. However, the reliance on coal has left behind a black legacy of high carbon emissions and severe air pollution. With the highest investments in renewables worldwide, China attempts to transform its energy industry into a sustainable future.

View monthly updates and historical trends for US Average Retail Price of Electricity. from United States. Source: Energy Information Administration. Trac…

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.

Household electricity prices in Mexico amounted to 11 U.S. dollar cents per kilowatt-hour in December 2024. Residential electricity prices have increased steadily in the country since the end of 2020, when they were at 8.2 U.S. dollar cents per kilowatt-hour. Still, Mexico was among the countries with the lowest household electricity prices worldwide.

Graph and download economic data for Average Price: Electricity per Kilowatt-Hour in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX (CBSA) (APUS37A72610) from Nov 1978 to Dec 2024 about Dallas, electricity, energy, TX, urban, retail, price, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Average Price: Electricity per Kilowatt-Hour in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH (CBSA) (APUS11A72610) from Nov 1978 to Dec 2024 about Boston, NH, MA, electricity, energy, urban, retail, price, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Average Price: Electricity per Kilowatt-Hour in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL (CBSA) (APUS35B72610) from Nov 1978 to Dec 2024 about Miami, electricity, energy, FL, urban, retail, price, and USA.

Ireland, Italy, and Germany had some of the highest household electricity prices worldwide, as of March 2025. At the time, Irish households were charged around 0.45 U.S. dollars per kilowatt-hour, while in Italy, the price stood at 0.43 U.S. dollars per kilowatt-hour. By comparison, in Russia, residents paid almost 10 times less. What is behind electricity prices? Electricity prices vary widely across the world and sometimes even within a country itself, depending on factors like infrastructure, geography, and politically determined taxes and levies. For example, in Denmark, Belgium, and Sweden, taxes constitute a significant portion of residential end-user electricity prices. Reliance on fossil fuel imports Meanwhile, thanks to their great crude oil and natural gas production output, countries like Iran, Qatar, and Russia enjoy some of the cheapest electricity prices in the world. Here, the average household pays less than 0.1 U.S. dollars per kilowatt-hour. In contrast, countries heavily reliant on fossil fuel imports for electricity generation are more vulnerable to market price fluctuations.

Graph and download economic data for Average Price: Electricity per Kilowatt-Hour in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue WA (CBSA) (APUS49D72610) from Nov 1978 to Dec 2024 about Seattle, electricity, WA, energy, urban, retail, price, and USA.

Chile’s electricity market price has been on an overall increasing trend recently, reaching ***** Chilean pesos per kilowatt-hour in May 2024 (based on a four-month average ending in this month). The highest figure since the beginning of 2020 was ***** Chilean pesos per kilowatt-hour, recorded in April 2023. The cost of electricity generation in Chile In 2022, coal accounted for ** percent of Chile’s gross electricity generation, while natural gas contributed another ** percent. As such, the country’s electricity generation depends largely on fuel imports – for example, Chile's coal production plummeted over the last few years, recording a year-over-year decrease of around ** percent. In turn, the price of electricity in the Andean country is highly dependent on international fuel prices and the valuation of the U.S. dollar in comparison to the local currency. Nevertheless, the share of renewables in Chile’s power mix – namely hydro and wind power – has been continuously increasing in recent years, pointing to a reduction in the country’s dependency on imported resources for electricity generation. How does Chile’s electricity price compare with its Latin American neighbors? In June 2023, Chile’s household electricity price was just above the average residential electricity price of Latin American countries at **** U.S. dollars per kilowatt-hour. Chile’s residential electricity price was nearly double that of Mexico and over four times the price reported in Argentina in the same period. In terms of electricity for the commercial sector, Chile’s prices were below the Latin American regional average, and its electricity cost less than some South American countries, such as Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico.