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.

Germany Electricity decreased 37.48 EUR/MWh or 32.39% since the beginning of 2025, according to the latest spot benchmarks offered by sellers to buyers priced in megawatt hour (MWh). This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Germany Electricity Price.

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

The global energy price index stood at around 101.5 in 2024. Energy prices were on a decreasing trend that year, and forecasts suggest the price index would decrease below 80 by 2026. Price indices show the development of prices for goods or services over time relative to a base year. Commodity prices may be dependent on various factors, from supply and demand to overall economic growth. Electricity prices around the world As with overall fuel prices, electricity costs for end users are dependent on power infrastructure, technology type, domestic production, and governmental levies and taxes. Generally, electricity prices are lower in countries with great coal and gas resources, as those have historically been the main sources for electricity generation. This is one of the reasons why electricity prices are lowest in resource-rich countries such as Iran, Qatar, and Russia. Meanwhile, many European governments that have introduced renewable surcharges to support the deployment of solar and wind power and are at the same time dependent on fossil fuel imports, have the highest household electricity prices. Benchmark oil prices One of the commodities found within the energy market is oil. Oil is the main raw material for all common motor fuels, from gasoline to kerosene. In resource-poor and remote regions such as the United States' states of Alaska and Hawaii, or the European country of Cyprus, it is also one of the largest sources for electricity generation. Benchmark oil prices such as Europe’s Brent, the U.S.' WTI, or the OPEC basket are often used as indicators for the overall energy price development.

In April 2025, electricity prices in the United Kingdom amounted 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.

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

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.

This dataset is restricted, for more information please contact the author. Data were collected from multiple sources:The Electricity & Co-Generation Regulatory AuthoritySaudi Electricity companyWeb news article (2015, December 28). Increase of Fuel, Electricity and Water prices. Retrieved from https://akhbaar24.argaam.com/article/detail/255091accessed on March 22, 2018.In October 1984, the government adopted a Tariff that increased with increasing consumption. The changes of Tariffs started in November 1984.Tariff approved by Council of Ministries 170 and become effective in October 2000. This Tariff remained effective for approximately ten years The residential, agricultural, mosques, and charitable societies remained unchanged till 2018In 2010, a new tariff for government, commercial, and industrial consumption came into force, this was adopted by a decision of ECRA's board, to set tariffs for non-residential consumption with an upper limit of SR0.26/kWh.In 2015, the total value of electricity consumed by the residential sector was worth about 38 billion U.S. dollars.In 2018, the Council of Ministers has approved gradual revision of energy prices in the Kingdom including changes to electricity tariffs effective from Jan. 1. 2018, the Electricity and Cogeneration Regulatory Authority (ECRA) announced that new prices will take effect on January 1st, 2018.source: ECRACitation: Alghamdi, Abeer. 2018. “Changes in Saudi Arabia Electricity Prices.” [dataset]. https://datasource.kapsarc.org/explore/dataset/electricity-prices-in-saudi-arabia/information/.

In 2022, the average end-use electricity price in the United States stood at around 12.2 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour. This figure is projected to decrease in the coming three decades, to reach some 11 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour by 2050.

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

Electric power selling price index (EPSPI). Monthly data are available from January 1981. The table presents data for the most recent reference period and the last four periods. The base period for the index is (2014=100).

Italy Electricity decreased 15.56 EUR/MWh or 11.30% since the beginning of 2025, according to the latest spot benchmarks offered by sellers to buyers priced in megawatt hour (MWh). This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Italy Electricity Price.

France Electricity decreased 7.39 EUR/MWh or 10.58% since the beginning of 2025, according to the latest spot benchmarks offered by sellers to buyers priced in megawatt hour (MWh). This dataset includes a chart with historical data for France Electricity Price.

Hawaii is the state with the highest household electricity price in the United States. In September 2024, the average retail price of electricity for Hawaiian residences amounted to 41.27 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour. California followed in second, with 30.221 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour. Meanwhile, Utah registered the lowest price in the period, at around 11.4 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 2023, it stood at 12.7 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.

Electricity prices in Europe are expected to remain volatile through 2025, with Italy projected to have some of the highest rates among major European economies. This trend reflects the ongoing challenges in the energy sector, including the transition to renewable sources and the impact of geopolitical events on supply chains. Despite efforts to stabilize the market, prices in countries like Italy are forecasted to reach ****** euros per megawatt hour by February 2025, indicating persistent pressure on consumers and businesses alike. Natural gas futures shaping electricity costs The electricity market's future trajectory is closely tied to natural gas prices, a key component in power generation. Dutch TTF gas futures, a benchmark for European natural gas prices, are projected to be ***** euros per megawatt hour in April 2025. This represents an increase of about ** euros compared to the previous year, suggesting that gas prices will continue to influence electricity rates across Europe. The reduced output from the Groningen gas field and increased reliance on imports further complicate the pricing landscape, potentially contributing to higher electricity costs in countries like Italy. Regional disparities and global market influences While European electricity prices remain high, significant regional differences persist. For instance, natural gas prices in the United States are expected to be roughly one-third of those in Europe by March 2025, at **** U.S. dollars per million British thermal units. This stark contrast highlights the impact of domestic production capabilities on global natural gas prices. Europe's greater reliance on imports, particularly in the aftermath of geopolitical tensions and the shift away from Russian gas, continues to keep prices elevated compared to more self-sufficient markets. As a result, countries like Italy may face sustained pressure on electricity prices due to their position within the broader European energy market.