Alaska, Hawaii, and Connecticut were the states with the highest average monthly utility costs in the United States in 2023. Residents paid about ****** U.S. dollars for their electricity bills in Hawaii, while the average monthly bill for natural gas came to *** U.S. dollars. This was significantly higher than in any other state. Bigger homes have higher utility costs Despite regional variations, single-family homes in the United States have grown bigger in size since 1975. This trend also means that, unless homeowners invest in energy savings measures, they will have to pay more for their utility costs. Which are the most affordable states to live in? According to the cost of living index, the three most affordable states to live in are Mississippi, Kansas, and Oklahoma. At the other end of the scale are Hawaii, District of Columbia, and New York. The index is based on housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services. To buy a median priced home in Kansas City, a prospective home buyer will have to earn an annual salary of about ****** U.S. dollars.

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

West Virginia and Kansas had the lowest cost of living across all U.S. states, with composite costs being half of those found in Hawaii. This was according to a composite index that compares prices for various goods and services on a state-by-state basis. In West Virginia, the cost of living index amounted to **** — well below the national benchmark of 100. Virginia— which had an index value of ***** — was only slightly above that benchmark. Expensive places to live included Hawaii, Massachusetts, and California. Housing costs in the U.S. Housing is usually the highest expense in a household’s budget. In 2023, the average house sold for approximately ******* U.S. dollars, but house prices in the Northeast and West regions were significantly higher. Conversely, the South had some of the least expensive housing. In West Virginia, Mississippi, and Louisiana, the median price of the typical single-family home was less than ******* U.S. dollars. That makes living expenses in these states significantly lower than in states such as Hawaii and California, where housing is much pricier. What other expenses affect the cost of living? Utility costs such as electricity, natural gas, water, and internet also influence the cost of living. In Alaska, Hawaii, and Connecticut, the average monthly utility cost exceeded *** U.S. dollars. That was because of the significantly higher prices for electricity and natural gas in these states.

Complete dataset of average residential and commercial electricity rates in cents per kWh for all 50 states and D.C. as of December 2025.

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.

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

The average retail price of electricity for households has risen steadily in the United States, reaching a peak of around 16.48 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2024. 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 2023, power utilities reported a peak in grid operating expenses, with transmission-related costs reaching 15.8 billion U.S. dollars and 6.4 billion U.S. dollars invested in distribution networks.

The statistic shows the average annual electricity bill per residential customer in the U.S. between 1990 and 2017. In 2017, the average annual bill per customer in the U.S. residential sector was around ***** U.S. dollars.

Latest average residential and commercial electric bill data for all 50 states + national averages (November 2025)

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 Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Utility (Piped) Gas Service in U.S. City Average (CUUR0000SEHF02) from Mar 1935 to Sep 2025 about utilities, gas, urban, consumer, CPI, services, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

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

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.

The residents of Hawaii recorded the highest average monthly electricity bill in the United States in May 2025, amounting to approximately *** U.S. dollars. The lowest monthly electricity bills were recorded in New Mexico and Utah, at ** U.S. dollars and ** U.S. dollars, respectively.

United States Consumer Price: Average: Utility (Piped) Gas, 100 Therms data was reported at 103.617 USD in Jun 2013. This records an increase from the previous number of 103.461 USD for May 2013. United States Consumer Price: Average: Utility (Piped) Gas, 100 Therms data is updated monthly, averaging 64.774 USD from Nov 1978 (Median) to Jun 2013, with 415 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 169.907 USD in Jul 2008 and a record low of 27.667 USD in Nov 1978. United States Consumer Price: Average: Utility (Piped) Gas, 100 Therms data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.P001: Consumer Price.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Fuels and Utilities in U.S. City Average (CUUR0000SAH2) from Dec 1952 to Sep 2025 about utilities, fuels, urban, consumer, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

The statistic represents the average annual electric bill to customers in the United States between 1990 and 2017. In 2017, power customers in the United States had to pay around ***** U.S. dollars on average for their electric bills.

United States - Average Price: Electricity per Kilowatt-Hour in U.S. City Average was 0.18800 Index in September of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Average Price: Electricity per Kilowatt-Hour in U.S. City Average reached a record high of 0.19000 in June of 2025 and a record low of 0.04600 in December of 1978. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Average Price: Electricity per Kilowatt-Hour in U.S. City Average - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

This dataset, compiled by NREL using data from ABB, the Velocity Suite (http://energymarketintel.com/) and the U.S. Energy Information Administration dataset 861 (http://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia861/), provides average residential, commercial and industrial electricity rates with likely zip codes for both investor owned utilities (IOU) and non-investor owned utilities. Note: the files include average rates for each utility (not average rates per zip code), but not the detailed rate structure data found in the OpenEI U.S. Utility Rate Database (https://openei.org/apps/USURDB/).