ElectricRates

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Electricity Rate Report

Residential electricity rates in 50 states and DC for March 2026, compared with March 2025.

Washington DC had the largest one-year increase in average residential electricity rates in March 2026, up 22.5% to 25.0¢ per kWh from 20.4¢ in March 2025. Rhode Island had the largest decline, down 7.4% to 29.9¢ from 32.3¢.

  • The U.S. average residential rate in March 2026 was 18.6¢ per kWh, up 8.6% from March 2025.
  • 45 of 50 states and DC had a higher rate than in March 2025; 6 had a lower one.
  • Hawaii had the highest rate at 42.2¢ per kWh and North Dakota the lowest at 11.9¢.
  • 18 states were above the U.S. average and 33 below it.

Data refreshed October 18, 2026.

U.S. average residential electricity rate

18.6¢per kWh, March 2026+8.6% in a year
A year earlier
17.1¢ Mar 2025
Two-year high
18.6¢ Mar 2026
Two-year low
15.9¢ Jan 2025
Data: EIA Electric Power MonthlyElectricRates.org
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States up vs. down

45 / 6

higher / lower than Mar 2025, of 51

Biggest rise: Washington DC

+22.5%

20.4¢ to 25.0¢ per kWh

Biggest fall: Rhode Island

−7.4%

32.3¢ to 29.9¢ per kWh

Gap between highest and lowest

30.3¢

Hawaii 42.2¢, North Dakota 11.9¢

One-year change

Biggest one-year changes in residential electricity rates by state, March 2026

Average residential rate in March 2026 compared with March 2025. 45 states rose, 6 fell.

One-year change in residential rates by state

Alaska: +5.4%Alabama: +3.6%Arkansas: +8.3%Arizona: +3.0%California: +2.7%Colorado: +11.3%Connecticut: −6.2%Washington DC: +22.5%Delaware: +5.6%Florida: −1.5%Georgia: +2.2%Hawaii: +2.7%Iowa: +7.5%Idaho: +12.4%Illinois: +7.5%Indiana: +8.8%Kansas: +7.0%Kentucky: +12.7%Louisiana: +8.4%Massachusetts: +0.1%Maryland: +17.2%Maine: +0.2%Michigan: +9.6%Minnesota: −0.1%Missouri: +11.9%Mississippi: +11.3%Montana: +13.0%North Carolina: +8.1%North Dakota: +7.6%Nebraska: +11.9%New Hampshire: +18.0%New Jersey: +18.2%New Mexico: +0.2%Nevada: −1.8%New York: +12.2%Ohio: +16.6%Oklahoma: +9.6%Oregon: −1.8%Pennsylvania: +13.6%Rhode Island: −7.4%South Carolina: +7.7%South Dakota: +12.1%Tennessee: +12.8%Texas: +7.3%Utah: +6.3%Virginia: +14.5%Vermont: +7.7%Washington: +14.1%Wisconsin: +5.9%West Virginia: +3.0%Wyoming: +9.5%

Change in average residential rate, March 2025 to March 2026

−7.4%0+22.5%
Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, average retail price to residential customers, March 2026 against March 2025. Select a state for its profile.
Data: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)ElectricRates.org
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Largest one-year rises and falls, Mar 2025 to Mar 2026

Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, average retail price to residential customers.
Data: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)ElectricRates.org
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Largest increases

StateMar 2025Mar 2026Change
Washington DC20.4¢25.0¢+22.5%
New Jersey19.9¢23.5¢+18.2%
New Hampshire22.8¢26.9¢+18.0%
Maryland18.9¢22.2¢+17.2%
Ohio16.1¢18.8¢+16.6%
Virginia14.9¢17.1¢+14.5%

Largest decreases

StateMar 2025Mar 2026Change
Rhode Island32.3¢29.9¢−7.4%
Connecticut32.5¢30.5¢−6.2%
Nevada14.4¢14.2¢−1.8%
Oregon15.2¢14.9¢−1.8%
Florida15.1¢14.9¢−1.5%
Minnesota15.1¢15.1¢−0.1%
Data: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)ElectricRates.org
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National comparison

Every state's electricity rate against the U.S. average, March 2026

The U.S. average residential rate in March 2026 was 18.6¢ per kWh, up 8.6% from 17.1¢ in March 2025. 18 of 50 states and DC were above it and 33 below.

U.S. average, Mar 2026

18.6¢

+8.6% vs. Mar 2025

Above the U.S. average

18

of 51

Below the U.S. average

33

of 51

Every state's rate against the U.S. average, Mar 2026Below (33)Above (18)
North Dakota: 11.9¢ per kWh, −35.6% vs. U.S.Idaho: 13.0¢ per kWh, −29.9% vs. U.S.Nebraska: 13.1¢ per kWh, −29.4% vs. U.S.Utah: 13.2¢ per kWh, −29.0% vs. U.S.Iowa: 13.4¢ per kWh, −27.7% vs. U.S.Missouri: 13.4¢ per kWh, −27.6% vs. U.S.Montana: 13.5¢ per kWh, −27.4% vs. U.S.Oklahoma: 13.6¢ per kWh, −26.9% vs. U.S.Wyoming: 13.6¢ per kWh, −26.8% vs. U.S.Arkansas: 13.6¢ per kWh, −26.6% vs. U.S.Louisiana: 14.2¢ per kWh, −23.7% vs. U.S.Nevada: 14.2¢ per kWh, −23.7% vs. U.S.South Dakota: 14.3¢ per kWh, −23.0% vs. U.S.Washington: 14.4¢ per kWh, −22.4% vs. U.S.New Mexico: 14.8¢ per kWh, −20.2% vs. U.S.Florida: 14.9¢ per kWh, −19.9% vs. U.S.Kentucky: 14.9¢ per kWh, −19.8% vs. U.S.Oregon: 14.9¢ per kWh, −19.8% vs. U.S.Georgia: 15.0¢ per kWh, −19.1% vs. U.S.Tennessee: 15.1¢ per kWh, −18.7% vs. U.S.Minnesota: 15.1¢ per kWh, −18.7% vs. U.S.Kansas: 15.3¢ per kWh, −17.3% vs. U.S.Arizona: 15.6¢ per kWh, −16.0% vs. U.S.North Carolina: 16.0¢ per kWh, −13.8% vs. U.S.Mississippi: 16.3¢ per kWh, −12.2% vs. U.S.West Virginia: 16.4¢ per kWh, −11.8% vs. U.S.Texas: 16.4¢ per kWh, −11.7% vs. U.S.South Carolina: 16.4¢ per kWh, −11.4% vs. U.S.Colorado: 16.7¢ per kWh, −9.8% vs. U.S.Virginia: 17.1¢ per kWh, −8.1% vs. U.S.Alabama: 17.1¢ per kWh, −7.6% vs. U.S.Delaware: 17.6¢ per kWh, −5.0% vs. U.S.Indiana: 17.9¢ per kWh, −3.8% vs. U.S.Ohio: 18.8¢ per kWh, +1.2% vs. U.S.Wisconsin: 18.8¢ per kWh, +1.3% vs. U.S.Illinois: 18.9¢ per kWh, +1.6% vs. U.S.Pennsylvania: 20.9¢ per kWh, +12.7% vs. U.S.Michigan: 21.2¢ per kWh, +14.2% vs. U.S.Maryland: 22.2¢ per kWh, +19.6% vs. U.S.New Jersey: 23.5¢ per kWh, +26.6% vs. U.S.Vermont: 24.1¢ per kWh, +29.9% vs. U.S.Washington DC: 25.0¢ per kWh, +34.7% vs. U.S.New Hampshire: 26.9¢ per kWh, +45.0% vs. U.S.Alaska: 27.2¢ per kWh, +46.4% vs. U.S.Maine: 28.3¢ per kWh, +52.6% vs. U.S.New York: 28.6¢ per kWh, +53.8% vs. U.S.Rhode Island: 29.9¢ per kWh, +61.2% vs. U.S.Massachusetts: 30.2¢ per kWh, +62.8% vs. U.S.Connecticut: 30.5¢ per kWh, +64.2% vs. U.S.California: 33.4¢ per kWh, +79.7% vs. U.S.Hawaii: 42.2¢ per kWh, +127.5% vs. U.S.U.S. average 18.6¢

One column per state, cheapest to the left. Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, average retail price to residential customers, March 2026.

Data: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)ElectricRates.org
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StateRatevs. U.S.1 yr
North Dakota11.9¢−35.6%+7.6%
Idaho13.0¢−29.9%+12.4%
Nebraska13.1¢−29.4%+11.9%
Utah13.2¢−29.0%+6.3%
Iowa13.4¢−27.7%+7.5%
Missouri13.4¢−27.6%+11.9%
Montana13.5¢−27.4%+13.0%
Oklahoma13.6¢−26.9%+9.6%
Wyoming13.6¢−26.8%+9.5%
Arkansas13.6¢−26.6%+8.3%
Louisiana14.2¢−23.7%+8.4%
Nevada14.2¢−23.7%−1.8%
South Dakota14.3¢−23.0%+12.1%
Washington14.4¢−22.4%+14.1%
New Mexico14.8¢−20.2%+0.2%
Florida14.9¢−19.9%−1.5%
Kentucky14.9¢−19.8%+12.7%
Oregon14.9¢−19.8%−1.8%
Georgia15.0¢−19.1%+2.2%
Tennessee15.1¢−18.7%+12.8%
Minnesota15.1¢−18.7%−0.1%
Kansas15.3¢−17.3%+7.0%
Arizona15.6¢−16.0%+3.0%
North Carolina16.0¢−13.8%+8.1%
Mississippi16.3¢−12.2%+11.3%
West Virginia16.4¢−11.8%+3.0%
Texas16.4¢−11.7%+7.3%
South Carolina16.4¢−11.4%+7.7%
Colorado16.7¢−9.8%+11.3%
Virginia17.1¢−8.1%+14.5%
Alabama17.1¢−7.6%+3.6%
Delaware17.6¢−5.0%+5.6%
Indiana17.9¢−3.8%+8.8%
Ohio18.8¢+1.2%+16.6%
Wisconsin18.8¢+1.3%+5.9%
Illinois18.9¢+1.6%+7.5%
Pennsylvania20.9¢+12.7%+13.6%
Michigan21.2¢+14.2%+9.6%
Maryland22.2¢+19.6%+17.2%
New Jersey23.5¢+26.6%+18.2%
Vermont24.1¢+29.9%+7.7%
Washington DC25.0¢+34.7%+22.5%
New Hampshire26.9¢+45.0%+18.0%
Alaska27.2¢+46.4%+5.4%
Maine28.3¢+52.6%+0.2%
New York28.6¢+53.8%+12.2%
Rhode Island29.9¢+61.2%−7.4%
Massachusetts30.2¢+62.8%+0.1%
Connecticut30.5¢+64.2%−6.2%
California33.4¢+79.7%+2.7%
Hawaii42.2¢+127.5%+2.7%
United States18.6¢+8.6%

Ten-year trend

Ten-year change in residential electricity rates by state

Compound annual change in the average residential rate from March 2016 to March 2026.

Average yearly change over ten years, Mar 2016 to Mar 2026

Bars run from the U.S. rate of change: red grew faster than the U.S., green slower. Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, same calendar month ten years apart.
Data: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)ElectricRates.org
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Fastest rising

StateMar 2026 ratePer year
Washington DC25.0¢+7.0%
California33.4¢+6.6%
Maine28.3¢+6.1%
New York28.6¢+5.5%
Rhode Island29.9¢+4.6%
Washington14.4¢+4.5%
Maryland22.2¢+4.4%
Hawaii42.2¢+4.4%
Massachusetts30.2¢+4.4%
Indiana17.9¢+4.4%

Slowest rising

StateMar 2026 ratePer year
Kansas15.3¢+1.4%
Nevada14.2¢+1.5%
Iowa13.4¢+1.9%
North Dakota11.9¢+2.1%
Minnesota15.1¢+2.2%
Utah13.2¢+2.2%
Montana13.5¢+2.2%
Wyoming13.6¢+2.3%
South Carolina16.4¢+2.3%
Nebraska13.1¢+2.5%

Moving between states

What movers pay: electricity rates on the largest state-to-state moves

The 20 largest state-to-state moves in 2024, priced at March 2026 rates. The last column is the change in a 1,000 kWh monthly bill from the rate difference alone.

Rates on both ends of the 10 largest moves, Mar 2026OriginDestinationDestination where we compare plans

The dollar figure is the change in a 1,000 kWh monthly bill from the rate difference alone. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey state-to-state migration, 2024; EIA Electric Power Monthly, March 2026.

Data: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)ElectricRates.org
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From → toMovers1,000 kWh
California → Texas77,161−$170
New York → New Jersey56,799−$51
California → Nevada53,289−$192
California → Arizona52,383−$178
Florida → Georgia52,371+$2
Florida → Texas52,219+$15
New York → Florida50,661−$137
Texas → California45,447+$170
Texas → Florida45,259−$15
California → Washington43,938−$190
New Jersey → Pennsylvania38,467−$26
California → Florida36,194−$185
New Jersey → New York36,002+$51
Georgia → Florida34,388−$2
Florida → North Carolina33,591+$11
Pennsylvania → Florida33,530−$61
North Carolina → South Carolina33,151+$4
Oregon → Washington32,341−$5
California → Oregon31,500−$185
California → New York31,367−$48

Movers are Census Bureau survey estimates of people who moved between the two states during 2024. Dollar figures exclude fixed charges, taxes and fees.

Moving?

Your own move: compare any two states

Pick where you live now and where you are headed. The calculator prices the same monthly use at each state's average residential rate for July 2026, so you can see the change before you sign a lease.

Typical for the U.S.: 870 kWh

Bill in a U.S.-average state

$159a month

18.3¢ per kWh

Bill in Florida

$131a month

15.0¢ per kWh, 14th lowest of 51

Difference after the move

−$28a month

−18.0% on the rate, $336 a year less

Moving from a state at the U.S. average to Florida, a home using 870 kWh a month would pay about $131 instead of $159, $28 less, at July 2026 average rates.

See Florida electricity rates

Statewide average residential rates, EIA, July 2026; actual bills depend on your utility, rate plan, taxes and fees.

Data: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)ElectricRates.org
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Rate versus usage

Rate versus usage: where high rates meet low bills

The rate is only half of a bill. Over the twelve months from April 2025 through March 2026, 7 states paid an above-median rate yet had a below-median bill because homes there used less power, and 7 paid a below-median rate yet had an above-median bill because homes there used more. The median state rate was 15.5¢ per kWh and the median bill $153 a month.

Average rate against average monthly bill, Apr 2025 to Mar 2026High rate, low bill (7)Low rate, high bill (7)Other states

Average rate, cents per kWh

Dashed lines mark the median state: 15.5¢ per kWh and $153 a month. Labels are state postal codes; the table below names them. Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, usage-weighted twelve-month averages.

Data: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)ElectricRates.org
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StateAvg ratekWhAvg bill
High rate, low bill
Colorado16.2¢665$108
Wisconsin18.4¢661$122
Michigan20.3¢632$129
Minnesota15.9¢735$117
Vermont23.4¢597$139
Illinois18.0¢721$129
Washington DC23.2¢640$149
Low rate, high bill
Tennessee13.4¢1,202$161
Louisiana12.8¢1,208$155
Mississippi14.4¢1,166$168
Florida15.4¢1,100$169
South Carolina15.3¢1,063$163
West Virginia15.4¢1,071$165
Georgia14.9¢1,077$160

Twelve-month averages, April 2025 through March 2026. Rank 1 is the lowest of 51.

Method and sources

How this report is computed, and its sources

  • Residential rates are the U.S. Energy Information Administration's average retail price of electricity to residential customers for each state and DC in March 2026: residential revenue divided by residential kilowatt-hour sales, in cents per kWh.
  • The one-year change compares March 2026 with the same month a year earlier, March 2025, so seasonal swings in rates do not distort the comparison.
  • The U.S. figure is EIA's national residential average for March 2026, and its one-year change compares it with March 2025 the same way. A state is above the national average when its rate for the month is higher than the U.S. figure.
  • The ten-year change is the compound annual growth rate between March 2016 and March 2026, the same calendar month ten years apart.
  • Mover corridors use the Census Bureau's American Community Survey state-to-state migration flows for 2024: people who lived in the origin state a year earlier and the destination state at survey time. For each destination we use its five largest origin states and keep the 20 largest flows nationwide. Mover counts are survey estimates with margins of error.
  • Dollar figures assume 1,000 kWh of use in a month and multiply that by the difference in average rates. They ignore fixed monthly charges, taxes and fees, and the plan a household actually picks.
  • Rate versus usage uses the twelve months from April 2025 through March 2026: average monthly use per residential customer, the usage-weighted average rate, and their product as the average monthly bill. A state is "high rate, low bill" when its rate is above the median state and its bill is below the median state, and the reverse for "low rate, high bill". States missing EIA usage per customer for any month in the window are left out of this comparison.
  • A month is marked as a one-month jump or drop when its rate moves more than 35% from the prior month and the following month comes back within 15% of the prior month. Those rows stay in the tables as EIA published them, but the headline rise and fall skip any state whose one-year change rests on such a month.
  • Percentages are computed from unrounded EIA prices and then rounded to one decimal place, so a change computed from the rounded rates shown may differ slightly.

Sources

Report archive

One report for every month of EIA data

Each month keeps its own URL, so a figure you cite today still resolves next year. The U.S. average and the count of states up and down are that month's.

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