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 12.99 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 41.27 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 11.4 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 15.98 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 two percent in 2024, driven by factors such as increased demand and the ongoing effects of climate change. (201714)

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

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

In April 2025, electricity prices in the United Kingdom amounted to 93.5 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 363.7 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.

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.

Germany Electricity decreased 47.19 EUR/MWh or 40.78% 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.

This table contains consumer prices for electricity and gas. Weighted average monthly prices are published broken down into transport rate, delivery rates and taxes, both including and excluding VAT. These prices are published on a monthly basis. The prices presented in this table were used to compile the CPI up to May 2023. Prices for newly offered contracts were collected. Contract types that are no longer offered, but have been in previous reporting periods, are imputed. The average can therefore diverge from the prices paid for energy contracts by Dutch households. Data available from January 2018 up to May 2023. Status of the figures: The figures are definitive. Changes as of 17 July 2023: This table will no longer be updated. Due to a change in the underlying data and accompanying method for calculcating average energy prices, a new table was created. See paragraph 3. Changes as of 13 February: Average delivery rates are not shown in this table from January 2023 up to May 2023. With the introduction of the price cap, the average energy rates (delivery rates) of fixed and variable energy contracts together remained useful for calculating a development for the CPI. However, as a pricelevel, they are less useful. Average energy prices from January 2023 up to May 2023 are published in a customized table. In this publication, only data concerning new variable contracts are taken into account When will new figures be published? Does not apply.

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

Spain Electricity decreased 74.35 EUR/MWh or 54.73% 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 Spain Electricity Price.

France Electricity decreased 6.25 EUR/MWh or 8.95% 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.

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/.

Italy Electricity decreased 36.98 EUR/MWh or 26.84% 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.

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.

Energy Inflation in the United States decreased to -3.70 percent in April from -3.30 percent in March of 2025. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United States Energy Inflation.

This table contains consumer prices for electricity and gas. Weighted average monthly prices are published broken down into transport rate, delivery rates and taxes, both including and excluding VAT. These prices are published on a monthly basis.

Data available from: January 2021

Status of the figures: When first published, the figures are provisional. These will become definitive with the following month’s publication.

Changes compared with previous version: Data on the most recent period have been added and/or adjustments have been implemented.

When will new figures be published? New figures will usually be published between the first and second Thursday of the month.

The electricity delivery process has experienced a major shift in recent years, driven by a push to reduce emissions. Governments across Europe are actively moving away from conventional sources of electricity generation, leading to a decline in the continent's dependency on fossil fuels. In 2022, nearly 40% of electricity generated in the EU came from renewable sources, compared with 25% in 2012. The rise of renewables has spurred an influx of renewable generators and necessitated increased investment in electricity networks. This has lifted revenue for transmission and distribution network operators. Revenue is forecast to rise at a compound annual rate of 7.1% over the five years through 2024, reaching €3.2 billion. Falling wholesale prices and a reduction in overall electricity consumption spurred a drop in revenue during the pandemic. Excess demand for natural gas as economies loosened pandemic-related restrictions spurred a strong rebound in wholesale electricity prices in 2021, translating to a jump in revenue. Wholesale prices recorded a renewed spike following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, spurring a surge in revenue generated by electricity producers and suppliers. Renewable generators were able to rake in extra profits from electricity sold to wholesale markets at inflated prices, counterbalancing a significant rise in costs for fossil fuel generators and electricity suppliers. Revenue is forecast to decline by 8.6% in 2024 as wholesale prices continue to decline from record highs and electricity consumption remains subdued. Revenue is forecast to increase at a compound annual rate of 0.5% over the five years through 2029 to €3.2 billion. The revised Renewable Energy Directive of the EU has set a goal for 69% of electricity to be generated from renewables by 2030. Electricity generators will continue expanding their renewables capacity, while investment in upgrading the electricity network to accommodate the rapid shift to renewables will boost income for transmission and distribution network operators. Rising renewable electricity generation will place downward pressure on wholesale prices, while a long-term decline in electricity consumption in advanced economies will weigh on revenue.