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 12.72 U.S. dollar cents per kilowatt-hour in 2023. 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. Electricity prices in the U.S. by consumer group On average, retail electricity prices in the U.S. grew by over 85 percent since the beginning of the century. However, not every sector has been affected equally by the said price increase. U.S. electricity prices for residential customers saw a much steeper increase in the period, while transportation prices increased by approximately 50 percent. Reasons for increases in electricity prices The rising prices are justified by the costs of power production and power grid maintenance. Although the production cost of electricity generated from coal, natural gas, and nuclear sources remained relatively stable, the integration of renewable energy sources, investments in smart grid technologies, growing peak demand, power blackouts caused by natural disasters, and the global energy crisis in 2022 continued to trouble the electric utility industry in recent years. Average U.S. electricity prices per state can also vary widely, with Hawaii residents experiencing some of the highest rates in the country.

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.

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.

In February 2025, electricity prices in the United Kingdom amounted to 143.37 British pounds per megawatt-hour, an increase on 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.

Germany Electricity decreased 21.39 EUR/MWh or 18.48% 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.

Have timely access to reliable Electricity price assessments in United States:

• Electricity, industrial sector, United States, including generation, transmission, and distribution costs
• Electricity, household, United States

Each assessment includes Electricity price history for the past 10 years, current prices, and short-term forecasts. Price assessments are updated on the 3rd business day of every month and are accessible via online charts, an Excel Add-In, and an API. Free previews for all assessments are available at Intratec website.

Electricity price assessments for United States and up to 32 other countries are part of Intratec Energy Price References. Subscribe and access now current prices of key energy commodities worldwide.

Spain Electricity decreased 81.27 EUR/MWh or 59.82% 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.

Have timely access to reliable Electricity price assessments in Chile:

• Electricity, industrial sector, Chile, including generation, transmission, and distribution costs
• Electricity, household, Chile, for consumption up to 200 kWh/month

Each assessment includes Electricity price history for the past 10 years, current prices, and short-term forecasts. Price assessments are updated on the 3rd business day of every month and are accessible via online charts, an Excel Add-In, and an API. Free previews for all assessments are available at Intratec website.

Electricity price assessments for Chile and up to 32 other countries are part of Intratec Energy Price References. Subscribe and access now current prices of key energy commodities worldwide.

Have timely access to reliable Electricity price assessments in Netherlands:

• Electricity, industrial sector, Netherlands, including generation, transmission, and distribution costs (power consumption of 70,000-150,000 MWh/year)
• Electricity, household, Netherlands, Amsterdam, average consumption, including taxes

Each assessment includes Electricity price history for the past 10 years, current prices, and short-term forecasts. Price assessments are updated on the 3rd business day of every month and are accessible via online charts, an Excel Add-In, and an API. Free previews for all assessments are available at Intratec website.

Electricity price assessments for Netherlands and up to 32 other countries are part of Intratec Energy Price References. Subscribe and access now current prices of key energy commodities worldwide.

Have timely access to reliable Electricity price assessments in China:

• Electricity, industrial sector, Tianjin, including generation, transmission, and distribution costs, plus taxes
• Electricity, household, China, average for main cities

Each assessment includes Electricity price history for the past 10 years, current prices, and short-term forecasts. Price assessments are updated on the 3rd business day of every month and are accessible via online charts, an Excel Add-In, and an API. Free previews for all assessments are available at Intratec website.

Electricity price assessments for China and up to 32 other countries are part of Intratec Energy Price References. Subscribe and access now current prices of key energy commodities worldwide.

Have timely access to reliable Electricity price assessments in Finland:

• Electricity, industrial sector, Finland, including generation, transmission, and distribution costs (power consumption of 70,000-150,000 MWh/year)
• Electricity, household, Finland, Helsinki, average consumption, including taxes

Each assessment includes Electricity price history for the past 10 years, current prices, and short-term forecasts. Price assessments are updated on the 3rd business day of every month and are accessible via online charts, an Excel Add-In, and an API. Free previews for all assessments are available at Intratec website.

Electricity price assessments for Finland and up to 32 other countries are part of Intratec Energy Price References. Subscribe and access now current prices of key energy commodities worldwide.

France Electricity decreased 6.42 EUR/MWh or 9.19% 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.

Have timely access to reliable Electricity price assessments in Taiwan:

• Electricity, industrial sector, Taiwan, including generation, transmission, and distribution costs, plus taxes
• Electricity, household, Taiwan, for consumption up to 170 kWh/month

Each assessment includes Electricity price history for the past 10 years, current prices, and short-term forecasts. Price assessments are updated on the 3rd business day of every month and are accessible via online charts, an Excel Add-In, and an API. Free previews for all assessments are available at Intratec website.

Electricity price assessments for Taiwan and up to 32 other countries are part of Intratec Energy Price References. Subscribe and access now current prices of key energy commodities worldwide.

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.

Italy Electricity decreased 10.78 EUR/MWh or 7.83% 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.

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.

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.

UK Electricity decreased 15.90 GBP/MWh or 15.52% 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 the United Kingdom Electricity Price.