Average Electricity Bills by State: August 2026
Electricity Bill Report: August 2026
Find your state’s average electric bill and see how it compares across the country
Last updated August 3, 2026
How much is the average electricity bill in 2026?
The average electric bill in the United States is $159.14. This estimate is based on typical monthly electricity usage in the U.S. (863 kWh) and the average residential electricity rate in May 2026 (18.44 cents per kWh).
SaveOnEnergy’s August 2026 Electricity Bill Report uses the most recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) to estimate average monthly electricity bills across the country. This report factors in the latest average state electricity rates and household electricity usage.
Top 10 states for highest electricity bills
In May 2026, Hawaii had the highest estimated monthly electricity bill at $257.40. Maryland, Alabama, Connecticut, and Mississippi also ranked among the most expensive states for average monthly electricity bills.
| State | Average electricity bill May 2026 | Electricity rate May 2026 (¢/kWh) | Monthly electricity usage (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $257.40 | 52 | 495 |
| Maryland | $202.24 | 21.77 | 929 |
| Alabama | $191.68 | 16.77 | 1,143 |
| Connecticut | $190.22 | 27.37 | 695 |
| Mississippi | $186.81 | 16.16 | 1,156 |
| Virginia | $181.74 | 17.61 | 1,032 |
| Texas | $180.18 | 16.44 | 1,096 |
| Delaware | $176.55 | 19.38 | 911 |
| Pennsylvania | $176.06 | 21.55 | 817 |
| West Virginia | $172.54 | 16.8 | 1,027 |
Top 10 states for lowest electricity bills
In May 2026, New Mexico had the lowest estimated monthly electricity bill at $92.34. Utah and Colorado also ranked among the lowest-cost states, with estimated monthly bills below $110.
| State | Average electricity bill May 2026 | Electricity rate May 2026 (¢/kWh) | Monthly electricity usage (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $92.34 | 14.12 | 654 |
| Utah | $100.31 | 12.96 | 774 |
| Colorado | $108.92 | 16.16 | 674 |
| Idaho | $116.58 | 12.35 | 944 |
| Iowa | $117.64 | 14.14 | 832 |
| Minnesota | $120.68 | 16.95 | 712 |
| Montana | $124.99 | 14.67 | 852 |
| Nevada | $126.48 | 13.6 | 930 |
| Wisconsin | $127.32 | 19.74 | 645 |
| Wyoming | $127.72 | 14.8 | 863 |
Average monthly electricity bill in every state
The table below compares estimated average monthly electricity bills in every state using May 2026 residential electricity rates and average monthly household electricity usage. Rankings are based on estimated monthly bills, with 1 representing the lowest average bill and 50 representing the highest.
| State | Average electricity bill May 2026 | Electricity rate May 2026 (¢/kWh) | Monthly electricity usage (kWh) | Average electric bill rank (1 = lowest) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $191.68 | 16.77 | 1,143 | 48 |
| Alaska | $163.17 | 28.23 | 578 | 26 |
| Arizona | $163.72 | 15.23 | 1,075 | 28 |
| Arkansas | $150.49 | 14.36 | 1,048 | 20 |
| California | $167.25 | 33.25 | 503 | 34 |
| Colorado | $108.92 | 16.16 | 674 | 3 |
| Connecticut | $190.22 | 27.37 | 695 | 47 |
| Delaware | $176.55 | 19.38 | 911 | 43 |
| Florida | $167.48 | 15.17 | 1,104 | 35 |
| Georgia | $170.12 | 15.84 | 1,074 | 39 |
| Hawaii | $257.40 | 52 | 495 | 50 |
| Idaho | $116.58 | 12.35 | 944 | 4 |
| Illinois | $165.28 | 23.85 | 693 | 31 |
| Indiana | $163.53 | 18.15 | 901 | 27 |
| Iowa | $117.64 | 14.14 | 832 | 5 |
| Kansas | $132.54 | 15.13 | 876 | 12 |
| Kentucky | $156.84 | 14.98 | 1,047 | 24 |
| Louisiana | $170.08 | 14.15 | 1,202 | 38 |
| Maine | $157.47 | 28.63 | 550 | 25 |
| Maryland | $202.24 | 21.77 | 929 | 49 |
| Massachusetts | $164.27 | 28.82 | 570 | 29 |
| Michigan | $136.02 | 22.01 | 618 | 13 |
| Minnesota | $120.68 | 16.95 | 712 | 6 |
| Mississippi | $186.81 | 16.16 | 1,156 | 46 |
| Missouri | $136.94 | 13.68 | 1,001 | 14 |
| Montana | $124.99 | 14.67 | 852 | 7 |
| Nebraska | $129.92 | 13.59 | 956 | 11 |
| Nevada | $126.48 | 13.6 | 930 | 8 |
| New Hampshire | $169.17 | 27.33 | 619 | 36 |
| New Jersey | $154.05 | 23.27 | 662 | 22 |
| New Mexico | $92.34 | 14.12 | 654 | 1 |
| New York | $170.90 | 29.93 | 571 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $153.16 | 15.09 | 1,015 | 21 |
| North Dakota | $140.05 | 13.61 | 1,029 | 15 |
| Ohio | $165.14 | 19.52 | 846 | 30 |
| Oklahoma | $144.37 | 13.38 | 1,079 | 19 |
| Oregon | $143.50 | 16.27 | 882 | 18 |
| Pennsylvania | $176.06 | 21.55 | 817 | 42 |
| Rhode Island | $167.04 | 29.46 | 567 | 33 |
| South Carolina | $169.89 | 16.18 | 1,050 | 37 |
| South Dakota | $156.36 | 15.73 | 994 | 23 |
| Tennessee | $166.98 | 14.47 | 1,154 | 32 |
| Texas | $180.18 | 16.44 | 1,096 | 44 |
| Utah | $100.31 | 12.96 | 774 | 2 |
| Vermont | $142.87 | 24.89 | 574 | 17 |
| Virginia | $181.74 | 17.61 | 1,032 | 45 |
| Washington | $142.77 | 14.95 | 955 | 16 |
| West Virginia | $172.54 | 16.8 | 1,027 | 41 |
| Wisconsin | $127.32 | 19.74 | 645 | 9 |
| Wyoming | $127.72 | 14.8 | 863 | 10 |
| United States | $159.14 | 18.44 | 863 |
Why is my electric bill so high?
If your electricity bills are rising, you aren’t alone. From May 2025 to May 2026, estimated electricity bills increased in 44 states. Arizona, California, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, and New Mexico experienced decreases during the same period. There are a few reasons why your electric bill could be high, including the following:
- Electricity rates are going up. Your electricity rate — the price you pay for every kWh of electricity you use — may have increased. Rates fluctuate throughout the year and tend to go up in the summer and winter months when residents rely more on heating and cooling their homes.
- Your electricity usage is up. Your utility or energy provider charges you based on the amount of electricity you consume. The most direct way to lower your electricity bill is to reduce your electricity usage.
- Your energy plan doesn’t match your needs. If you live in a deregulated area, you can choose your energy provider and plan. Some energy plans are designed for homes with high usage, while others are better for low usage. The rate you’re charged will depend on the plan you choose. If your electric bill is unusually high, consider whether you are enrolled in the right energy plan.
- Extreme weather or temperatures in your area. During extreme weather events or temperature changes, electricity demand typically increases suddenly. This can drive electricity prices up, leading to higher electric bills.
- Required home maintenance. Proper, routine maintenance around your home can lead to lower electricity bills. Poor insulation, gaps around windows and doors, and an overworked HVAC unit can drive up electricity costs.
- Inefficient or old appliances. Older appliances are typically less energy efficient because they weren’t required to meet certain efficiency standards. ENERGY STAR is a government-backed standard for efficiency with guides and resources for choosing efficient appliances and devices, including air conditioners, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, and dryers.
What to do if you need help with electricity bills
If you are paying high electricity bills, there are several routes you can take to lower them. The following are some quick tips for immediate ways to get help with electricity bills.
- Contact your energy provider.
Many energy providers and utility companies offer bill assistance programs to help residents struggling with energy bills. These programs may include a payment deadline extension, deferred payment plan, or waived late fees.
- Lower your energy usage.
Reducing your energy usage is the most straightforward way to lower your energy bills. Some energy-saving tips are easy and painless. SaveOnEnergy can help you lower your energy usage immediately. To start, it helps to know where you are using power in your home. You can use the SaveOnEnergy usage calculator to estimate your home’s energy consumption.
- Find a cheaper rate.
For residents living in deregulated areas, you can switch to a plan with a cheaper rate. It’s important to note that lower rates don’t automatically equate to lower bills. Your usage and the terms of the plan are important factors as well. However, finding a lower rate can be a good step towards lowering your energy costs.