Find Out If Your State Tops the List for Sky-High Electrical Bills

If you feel like your electricity bill has been steadily increasing, you’re not alone. In fact, rates increased in 41 out of 50 states in just one year.

There are many explanations for high electricity bills, from leaving all the lights on to inefficient appliances to extreme temperatures. If none of these apply, it could be that rates increased in your area. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of being on the wrong energy plan (if you live in a deregulated area).

If you’ve ever wondered what energy bills look like across the country, a report details the average electric bill by state.

We’ve got the scoop from the most to least expensive.

1. Hawaii

Hawaii has the most expensive energy rate out of all the 50 states. According to the EIA, as of July 2024, it costs 42.67 cents per kilowatt-hour (cents/kWh).

Many electricity customers use an average of 515 kWh. That rate has led to an average bill totaling $219.75.

2. Connecticut

Connecticut is next up on the list of the highest average monthly electric bills in the country. Consumers in The Constitution State pay around $200.62 each month for power.

The cents/kWh rate in the state is 28.02, which is actually fourth in terms of electricity cost. However, it’s the residents’ monthly use, 716 kWh, that lands them in second place.

3. Alabama

In Alabama, the average monthly electricity use is 1,178 kWh, which as you can imagine would drive up the utility bill. The actual cost is 14.94 cents/kWh, which ranks 26th on the list of most expensive.

It’s the usage that places Alabama third on the list of most expensive electricity bills, with users paying an average of $175.99 per month.

4. California

This one should come as no surprise to anyone. California actually ranks second in terms of costs at 32.56 cents/kWh, but comes in fourth on the list of most expensive bills.

The average electricity bill sets Californians back $174.20 per month and they use an average of 535 kWh during this period.

5. Texas

Texas is much like Alabama, with lower costs, 14.51 cents/kWh, but higher usage which lands it higher on our list. Texans use an average of 1,178 kWh per month, likely to cool off their homes.

The average electricity bill in The Lone Star State is $170.93 per month.

6. Maryland

In Maryland, it’s a combination of a slightly higher cost per kWh and more usage that leads to the state landing in sixth place.

The state’s energy rate is 17.26 cents/kWh and the monthly usage is 968 kWh. That leads to an average monthly bill of $167.08.

7. Georgia

In the Peach State, electricity rates are on the lower end, but usage is higher, likely to keep homes cool and combat humidity.

Georgia’s energy rate as of the latest data is $15.21 cents/kWh and the monthly usage is 1,096 kWh. That leads to more expensive electricity bills averaging $166.70.

8. Massachusetts

Massachusetts has a more temperate climate with four seasons, but electricity usage can be high in the summer and winter months as the HVAC systems work overtime.

The energy rate is higher than the previous few states on our list at 28.84 cents/kWh, but the usage is only 577 kWh. The average monthly bill is $166.41.

9. West Virginia

Heading to West Virginia, the energy rate as of July 2024 is 15.14 cents/kWh, which is on par with the southern states we’ve mentioned, but the usage is high here, too at 1,074 kWh.

The average monthly bill consumers see in the Mountain State is $162.60.

10. Missouri

Missourians use slightly more electricity than West Virginia consumers, at 1,077 kWh per month. They pay 14.73 cents/kWh for the pleasure of powering, heating, and cooling their homes.

The average monthly expense in Missouri, which currently rounds out the top 10 most expensive electricity bills, is $158.64.

11. Arizona

Arizona, like many southern states with a warmer climate, uses more electricity (1,061 kWh), but pays less for the privilege at 14.92 cents/kWh.

To combat the heat during the day and chill at night, Arizonans pay an average of $158.30 per month for their electric service.

12. Virginia

In Virginia, consumers use an average of 1,086 kWh per month to power and heat or cool their homes. The energy rate as of summer 2024 was 14.38 cents/kWh.

The increased usage despite the lower rate means the average monthly electric bill for Virginia is a bit higher. Consumers pay around $156.17.

13. Mississippi

One of the Gulf states, it’s not surprising to see Mississippi higher on the list of expensive electricity bills. Customers here pay the lowest rate so far at 13.03 cents/kWh, but use 1,186 kWh, the highest amount we’ve seen so far.

The average monthly electric bill in Mississippi costs $154.54.

14. Florida

Florida is one of the warmest states in the country. Millions flock here for the gorgeous climate, but electricity is also a bit more expensive.

The energy rate in Florida is 13.75 cents/kWh, but consumers use 1,111 kWh per month. That leads to average electric bills costing $152.76.

15. South Carolina

South Carolina is in the bottom half of the states when it comes to the actual energy price, which is 13.87 cents/kWh. Customers do, however, use 1,088 kWh per month, which drives the state higher on the list.

The average monthly electricity bill for South Carolinians is $150.91 per month.

16. Rhode Island

Overall, Rhode Island is sixth in terms of energy costs at 25.60 cents/kWh. It’s the high cost that drives up the average monthly bill, considering that consumers in The Ocean State only use around 589 kWh.

The average electricity bill in Rhode Island is $150.78 per month.

17. Oklahoma

Oklahoma, sitting in the southwest corridor of the United States has one of the lowest energy costs. It sits in the bottom 10 at 12.95 cents/kWh as of July 2024, per the EIA.

Oklahomans tend to use more energy, however, at 1,155 kWh per month. That leads to average bills of $149.57.

18. North Carolina

North Carolina has a humid subtropical climate, which means warmer summers and increased electricity usage. The energy rate is 13.92 cents/kWh, but the usage hovers around 1,072 kWh.

As a result, the average monthly electric bill in the state sits at $149.22 as of July 2024.

19. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has one of the highest energy costs in the US at 17.45 cents/kWh. However, since most of its residents use natural gas, the electricity costs aren’t as high as they could be.

Residents of the state use around 854 kWh of electricity. That results in bills averaging $149.02 monthly.

20. Alaska

Alaska rounds out the top five highest energy costs at 25.64 cents/kWh, which makes sense given its location. It uses natural gas for much of its heating, though it does generate approximately 25% of its total electricity from renewable sources.

Residents in the state use around 580 kWh per month, one of the lowest in the country, but electricity bills average $148.71.

21. New York

New York falls in the top 10 regarding energy costs but lands around the middle of the list because it surprisingly consumes less energy per capita than most of the country.

On average, New Yorkers use 592 kWh of energy per month. This results in average electricity bills of $148.06 per July 2024 figures.

22. Tennessee

Nearly half of Tennessee’s electricity comes from its in-state nuclear power plants and it is the sixth-largest producer of hydroelectric power in the US.

As of July 2024, the energy cost in The Volunteer State was 12.35 cents/kWh. Customers used approximately 1,188 kWh per month, resulting in electric bills of $146.72.

23. Delaware

Delaware is another state that falls nearly dead in the middle in terms of energy costs, which sit at 15.49 cents/kWh. It is known for producing the least energy of all states, but also consumes less energy than most. Only three consume less.

The average energy use per month is 941 kWh and the state’s residents pay an average of $145.76.

24. South Dakota

South Dakota relies heavily on wind power and renewable resources to generate its electricity. The only state that generates more wind power is Iowa.

Currently, the state has one of the lower energy costs of 13.68 cents/kWh and residents use 1,058 kWh monthly. Average electricity bills in the state cost $144.73.

25. North Dakota

North Dakota falls into the bottom 10 of the most expensive energy costs and most of its electricity generation comes from coal (55%) and wind (36%).

Energy costs as of July 2024 were 12.9 cents/kWh and customers use around 1,119 kWh per month. That comes out to an average electricity bill of $144.35.

26. Louisiana

Louisiana ranks last on the list, which means it has the lowest energy costs in the nation. It currently sits at 11.50 cents/kWh. Yet, the state is the fourth-highest in total consumption.

Louisiana residents typically use 1,231 kWh per month and pay an average of $141.57.

27. New Jersey

New Jersey is one of the more expensive states when it comes to energy costs, though much of its electricity comes from nuclear energy and natural gas. It is 10th in the nation in terms of solar energy electricity production.

Residents in New Jersey pay 20.7 cents/kWh and use 682 kWh per month. This results in a monthly average electricity bill of $141.17.

28. Indiana

Indiana consumes a lot of energy due to its industrial sector, which accounts for approximately 45%. Much of its electricity last year was fueled by coal.

The energy rate for Indiana is 14.8 cents/kWh, with residents using around 950 kWh per month. That has resulted in an average electricity bill of $140.60 monthly.

29. Oregon

Oregon is next up on the list with an energy rate of 14.85 cents/kWh. It also generates a lot of energy, 42% of it from wind, and 62% from renewable resources in total.

Oregonians use around 946 kWh per month, which nets them an average electricity bill of $140.48.

30. Kansas

Kansas is the third-highest producer of electricity from wind power, which accounts for 46% of its net generation.

In July 2024, Kansas had an energy cost of 14.97 cents/kWh and usage of 928 kWh per month. The average electric bill in the state at the time was $138.92.

31. Ohio

Ohio has a significant hand in generating the nation’s electricity. In 2023, it was the eighth-largest producer and the largest oil producer east of Mississippi

Residents in Ohio pay 15.86 cents/kWh for their electricity. They use an average of 874 kWh monthly, which results in median bills of $138.62.

32. Arkansas

Natural gas reigns supreme in Arkansas and accounts for 39% of its generation. Yet, electricity heats more than half of the homes in the Land of Opportunity.

Arkansas residents’ bills, which total approximately $137.64, would be lower if their usage didn’t hit an average of 1,110 kWh per month.

33. Kentucky

Kentucky falls in the bottom 10 in terms of overall energy costs, which benefits its residents, more than half of whom use electricity to heat their homes.

The energy cost is 12.47 cents/kWh and on average, residents use 1,094 kWh per month. This comes out to an average monthly bill of $136.42.

34. New Hampshire

New Hampshire falls ninth on the list of highest energy costs. Most of its electricity generation comes from Seabrook, a nuclear power plant, one of just two in the region.

New Hampshire’s average electricity bill is $135.25 but that’s due to a higher cost, 21.71 cents/kWh. Residents use around 623 kWh per month.

35. Iowa

Iowa is in the middle when it comes to energy cost, 14.92 cents/kWh, but falls in the bottom half of the most to least expensive bills because of the state’s average consumption rate. Last year, more than half of the state’s electricity came from wind turbines.

Iowa residents use 888 kWh per month and have an average electricity bill of $132.49.

36. Maine

Maine actually has the eighth highest energy cost, which is currently 22.59 cents/kWh. However, the lower usage rates of 583 kWh per month keep the overall electricity bill costs down in the state.

Electric customers in Maine pay an average of $131.70 per month for the service.

37. Michigan

Michigan has the 12th highest energy cost. Residents pay 19.66 cents/kWh and use an average of 652 kWh, which is what keeps bills on the lower side.

On average, Michigan residents pay just $128.18 per month, putting them in the bottom half of the country on the list of most to least expensive.

38. Nebraska

Nebraska’s energy cost is in the bottom five at just 12.27 cents/kWh. However, usage is on the higher side at 1,043 kWh per month. Because it has a prominent industrial sector, its consumption is on the higher side for the country as a whole.

The average monthly electricity bill in Nebraska is $127.98.

39. Nevada

Nevada has lower energy costs of 13.57 cents/kWh. Its geothermal energy production is second in the nation, only to California. It also consumes six times more energy than it produces.

Residents in Nevada tend to use around 939 kWh each month. That ends up costing them an average of $127.42 in electricity bills.

40. Minnesota

Head north to Minnesota and you’ll find middle-of-the-road energy costs of 14.73 cents/kWh. The typical use among electric customers is 1,077 kWh per month.

It’s the lower cost that keeps Minnesota at the bottom of the list of most expensive states. Here, the average monthly bill costs consumers $158.64 per month.

41. Idaho

Much of Idaho’s energy generation comes from renewable energy sources and its energy usage is among the bottom 10 lowest.

The energy cost in Idaho is 12.23 cents/kWh with an average use of 1,005 kWh. Customers in the state usually see bills of around $122.91 per month.

42. Washington

Washington state has the third-lowest energy cost, at 12.06 cents/kWh, but a higher usage of 1,013 per month. The state generates the most electricity from hydropower of all 50 in the country.

Despite its high use, Washington is one of the cheaper states in terms of overall costs. Its electricity bills average $122.17 per month.

43. Montana

Montana, one of the northernmost states, is no stranger to colder weather, which lasts most of the year. It has a higher usage, 908 kWh per month, but a lower cost of 13.43 cents/kWh.

This combination helps keep electricity costs low. The average monthly bill in the state is $121.94.

44. Vermont

Vermont has the tenth highest cost of energy in the country at 21.25 cents/kWh. It has the lowest total energy consumption and lowest emissions rate in the country.

Vermont residents used an average of 568 kWh per month, which kept electricity bills lower. The average consumer spends $120.70 monthly.

45. Wyoming

Wyoming has one of the lower costs of energy in the country. It currently sits at 13.44 cents/kWh. It also produces much more energy—12 times—than it consumes.

Residents in Wyoming use 891 kWh per month, likely to keep their homes heated in the cooler months of the year, and the average monthly electricity bill is $119.75 per month.

46. Wisconsin

Wisconsin ranks 46th on the list of most to least expensive, which is eye-opening since the state consumes six times more energy than it produces.

The energy cost in Wisconsin is 17.43 cents/kWh and residents use 684 kWh per month. This results in an average electricity bill of $119.22.

47. Illinois

Illinois has the fourth-lowest electricity bill average in the United States. The cost of energy sits at 15.35 cents/kWh. The state also generates the most electricity from nuclear energy of all in the country.

Consumers in Illinois use 720 kWh per month. Electricity bills in the state average $110.52.

48. Colorado

Energy costs in Colorado rank 19 on the EIA’s list at 15.49 cents/kWh. But the usage rate is a bit low, even taking into consideration the colder months of the year, at 692 kWh.

Colorado citizens don’t have a very high average electricity bill. It currently sits at $107.19 per month.

49. New Mexico

Those living in New Mexico have the second-lowest average monthly electric bill, which is currently $101.42. They can thank both low energy costs and usage.

As of July 2024, New Mexico residents used 659 kWh at a cost of only 15.39 cents/kWh, placing them toward the bottom of the list.

50. Utah

Utahns are lucky with the lowest electricity bills in the country as of this year. The state has the second-lowest energy cost of 11.91 cents/kWh. Consumers’ usage is also low at just 783 kWh.

For this reason, the average monthly electricity bill in Utah is the only one under $100 per month at $93.26.

Data for this report was compiled by a Save on Energy report details the average electric bill by state using data from the Energy Information Administration.