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.

Graph and download economic data for Average Price: Electricity per Kilowatt-Hour in U.S. City Average (APU000072610) from Nov 1978 to Jun 2025 about electricity, energy, 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.

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

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Electricity in U.S. City Average (CUSR0000SEHF01) from Jan 1952 to Jun 2025 about electricity, urban, consumer, CPI, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

A table listing the average electricity rates (kWh) of all 50 U.S. states as of August 2025.

Industrial consumers of electricity in the United States paid an average of 8.15 U.S. dollar cents per kilowatt-hour in 2024. This was an increase compared to the previous year, when prices peaked at 8.3 U.S. dollar cents per kilowatt-hour. Prices are forecast to increase further to 8.32 U.S. dollar cents per kilowatt-hour by the end of 2025.

United States Electricity: Average Retail Price: EIA: Residential data was reported at 13.300 0.01 USD/kWh in Aug 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 13.130 0.01 USD/kWh for Jul 2018. United States Electricity: Average Retail Price: EIA: Residential data is updated monthly, averaging 8.590 0.01 USD/kWh from Jul 1976 (Median) to Aug 2018, with 434 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.300 0.01 USD/kWh in Aug 2018 and a record low of 3.600 0.01 USD/kWh in Jan 1977. United States Electricity: Average Retail Price: EIA: Residential data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.P002: Energy Price.

United States Electric Retail Price: Sold by Electric Utilities: Avg: Residential data was reported at 12.890 USD/kWh in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 12.550 USD/kWh for 2016. United States Electric Retail Price: Sold by Electric Utilities: Avg: Residential data is updated yearly, averaging 7.565 USD/kWh from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.890 USD/kWh in 2017 and a record low of 2.200 USD/kWh in 1970. United States Electric Retail Price: Sold by Electric Utilities: Avg: Residential data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.P011: Electricity Price.

Electricity prices for industries in the United States increased over the past few years, peaking in summer 2022. Industrial electricity prices amounted to **** U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour in May 2024, up from **** U.S. dollar cents per kilowatt-hour the previous month. The average retail electricity price for industrial consumers in the United States stood at **** U.S. dollar cents per kilowatt-hour in 2023.

Graph and download economic data for Global price of Energy index (PNRGINDEXM) from Jan 1992 to Jun 2025 about energy, World, indexes, and price.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Household Energy in U.S. City Average (CUSR0000SAH21) from Jan 1967 to Jun 2025 about energy, urban, households, consumer, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

United States Electric Retail Price: Sold by Electric Utilities: Avg: Industrial data was reported at 6.880 USD/kWh in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 6.760 USD/kWh for 2016. United States Electric Retail Price: Sold by Electric Utilities: Avg: Industrial data is updated yearly, averaging 4.710 USD/kWh from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.100 USD/kWh in 2014 and a record low of 1.000 USD/kWh in 1970. United States Electric Retail Price: Sold by Electric Utilities: Avg: Industrial data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.P011: Electricity Price.

Graph and download economic data for Average Price: Electricity per Kilowatt-Hour in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA (CBSA) (APUS49A72610) from Nov 1978 to Dec 2024 about Los Angeles, electricity, energy, urban, CA, retail, price, and USA.

United States Electric Retail Price: Sold by Electric Utilities: Avg: Total data was reported at 10.480 USD/kWh in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 10.270 USD/kWh for 2016. United States Electric Retail Price: Sold by Electric Utilities: Avg: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 6.445 USD/kWh from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.480 USD/kWh in 2017 and a record low of 1.600 USD/kWh in 1969. United States Electric Retail Price: Sold by Electric Utilities: Avg: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.P011: Electricity Price.

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, electricity, MA, energy, urban, retail, price, and USA.

United States EIA Forecast: Electricity Price: Generation Fuel Costs: Coal data was reported at 2.092 USD/MN BTU in Dec 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.085 USD/MN BTU for Nov 2019. United States EIA Forecast: Electricity Price: Generation Fuel Costs: Coal data is updated monthly, averaging 2.170 USD/MN BTU from Mar 2016 (Median) to Dec 2019, with 46 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.245 USD/MN BTU in May 2018 and a record low of 2.085 USD/MN BTU in Sep 2019. United States EIA Forecast: Electricity Price: Generation Fuel Costs: Coal data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.P003: Energy Price: Forecast: Energy Information Administration.

This dataset provides values for ELECTRICITY PRICE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.