ElectricRates

Monthly report

Electricity Rate Report

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

Illinois had the largest one-year increase in average residential electricity rates in May 2026, up 28.4% to 23.9¢ per kWh from 18.6¢ in May 2025. Connecticut had the largest decline, down 13.4% to 27.4¢ from 31.6¢.

  • The U.S. average residential rate in May 2026 was 18.4¢ per kWh, up 6.2% from May 2025.
  • 45 of 50 states and DC had a higher rate than in May 2025; 6 had a lower one.
  • Hawaii had the highest rate at 52.0¢ per kWh and Idaho the lowest at 12.3¢.
  • 19 states were above the U.S. average and 32 below it.

Data refreshed October 18, 2026.

U.S. average residential electricity rate

18.4¢per kWh, May 2026+6.2% in a year
A year earlier
17.4¢ May 2025
Two-year high
18.8¢ Apr 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 May 2025, of 51

Biggest rise: Illinois

+28.4%

18.6¢ to 23.9¢ per kWh

Biggest fall: Connecticut

−13.4%

31.6¢ to 27.4¢ per kWh

Gap between highest and lowest

39.6¢

Hawaii 52.0¢, Idaho 12.3¢

One-year change

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

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

One-year change in residential rates by state

Alaska: +8.2%Alabama: +3.8%Arkansas: +8.9%Arizona: −3.1%California: −0.1%Colorado: +3.7%Connecticut: −13.4%Washington DC: +24.3%Delaware: +6.9%Florida: +1.3%Georgia: +5.7%Hawaii: +26.7%Iowa: −0.1%Idaho: +4.0%Illinois: +28.4%Indiana: +7.4%Kansas: +2.7%Kentucky: +8.2%Louisiana: +6.7%Massachusetts: −3.6%Maryland: +14.6%Maine: +2.6%Michigan: +8.8%Minnesota: +7.0%Missouri: +5.1%Mississippi: +8.9%Montana: +13.9%North Carolina: +5.4%North Dakota: +3.9%Nebraska: +3.3%New Hampshire: +13.8%New Jersey: +13.6%New Mexico: −2.6%Nevada: +2.3%New York: +12.1%Ohio: +14.2%Oklahoma: +3.4%Oregon: +2.3%Pennsylvania: +11.7%Rhode Island: +1.6%South Carolina: +5.0%South Dakota: +9.8%Tennessee: +5.4%Texas: +5.9%Utah: +2.9%Virginia: +15.4%Vermont: +4.8%Washington: +9.5%Wisconsin: +4.2%West Virginia: +3.8%Wyoming: +7.1%

Change in average residential rate, May 2025 to May 2026

−13.4%0+28.4%
Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, average retail price to residential customers, May 2026 against May 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, May 2025 to May 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

StateMay 2025May 2026Change
Illinois18.6¢23.9¢+28.4%
Hawaii41.0¢52.0¢+26.7%
Washington DC20.4¢25.4¢+24.3%
Virginia15.3¢17.6¢+15.4%
Maryland19.0¢21.8¢+14.6%
Ohio17.1¢19.5¢+14.2%

Largest decreases

StateMay 2025May 2026Change
Connecticut31.6¢27.4¢−13.4%
Massachusetts29.9¢28.8¢−3.6%
Arizona15.7¢15.2¢−3.1%
New Mexico14.5¢14.1¢−2.6%
Iowa14.2¢14.1¢−0.1%
California33.3¢33.3¢−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, May 2026

The U.S. average residential rate in May 2026 was 18.4¢ per kWh, up 6.2% from 17.4¢ in May 2025. 19 of 50 states and DC were above it and 32 below.

U.S. average, May 2026

18.4¢

+6.2% vs. May 2025

Above the U.S. average

19

of 51

Below the U.S. average

32

of 51

Every state's rate against the U.S. average, May 2026Below (32)Above (19)
Idaho: 12.3¢ per kWh, −33.0% vs. U.S.Utah: 13.0¢ per kWh, −29.7% vs. U.S.Oklahoma: 13.4¢ per kWh, −27.4% vs. U.S.Nebraska: 13.6¢ per kWh, −26.3% vs. U.S.Nevada: 13.6¢ per kWh, −26.2% vs. U.S.North Dakota: 13.6¢ per kWh, −26.2% vs. U.S.Missouri: 13.7¢ per kWh, −25.8% vs. U.S.New Mexico: 14.1¢ per kWh, −23.4% vs. U.S.Iowa: 14.1¢ per kWh, −23.3% vs. U.S.Louisiana: 14.2¢ per kWh, −23.3% vs. U.S.Arkansas: 14.4¢ per kWh, −22.1% vs. U.S.Tennessee: 14.5¢ per kWh, −21.5% vs. U.S.Montana: 14.7¢ per kWh, −20.4% vs. U.S.Wyoming: 14.8¢ per kWh, −19.7% vs. U.S.Washington: 14.9¢ per kWh, −18.9% vs. U.S.Kentucky: 15.0¢ per kWh, −18.8% vs. U.S.North Carolina: 15.1¢ per kWh, −18.2% vs. U.S.Kansas: 15.1¢ per kWh, −18.0% vs. U.S.Florida: 15.2¢ per kWh, −17.7% vs. U.S.Arizona: 15.2¢ per kWh, −17.4% vs. U.S.South Dakota: 15.7¢ per kWh, −14.7% vs. U.S.Georgia: 15.8¢ per kWh, −14.1% vs. U.S.Mississippi: 16.2¢ per kWh, −12.4% vs. U.S.Colorado: 16.2¢ per kWh, −12.4% vs. U.S.South Carolina: 16.2¢ per kWh, −12.3% vs. U.S.Oregon: 16.3¢ per kWh, −11.8% vs. U.S.Texas: 16.4¢ per kWh, −10.8% vs. U.S.Alabama: 16.8¢ per kWh, −9.1% vs. U.S.West Virginia: 16.8¢ per kWh, −8.9% vs. U.S.Minnesota: 16.9¢ per kWh, −8.1% vs. U.S.Virginia: 17.6¢ per kWh, −4.5% vs. U.S.Indiana: 18.1¢ per kWh, −1.6% vs. U.S.Delaware: 19.4¢ per kWh, +5.1% vs. U.S.Ohio: 19.5¢ per kWh, +5.9% vs. U.S.Wisconsin: 19.7¢ per kWh, +7.0% vs. U.S.Pennsylvania: 21.6¢ per kWh, +16.9% vs. U.S.Maryland: 21.8¢ per kWh, +18.1% vs. U.S.Michigan: 22.0¢ per kWh, +19.4% vs. U.S.New Jersey: 23.3¢ per kWh, +26.2% vs. U.S.Illinois: 23.9¢ per kWh, +29.3% vs. U.S.Vermont: 24.9¢ per kWh, +35.0% vs. U.S.Washington DC: 25.4¢ per kWh, +37.7% vs. U.S.New Hampshire: 27.3¢ per kWh, +48.2% vs. U.S.Connecticut: 27.4¢ per kWh, +48.4% vs. U.S.Alaska: 28.2¢ per kWh, +53.1% vs. U.S.Maine: 28.6¢ per kWh, +55.3% vs. U.S.Massachusetts: 28.8¢ per kWh, +56.3% vs. U.S.Rhode Island: 29.5¢ per kWh, +59.8% vs. U.S.New York: 29.9¢ per kWh, +62.3% vs. U.S.California: 33.3¢ per kWh, +80.3% vs. U.S.Hawaii: 52.0¢ per kWh, +182.0% vs. U.S.U.S. average 18.4¢

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

Data: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)ElectricRates.org
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StateRatevs. U.S.1 yr
Idaho12.3¢−33.0%+4.0%
Utah13.0¢−29.7%+2.9%
Oklahoma13.4¢−27.4%+3.4%
Nebraska13.6¢−26.3%+3.3%
Nevada13.6¢−26.2%+2.3%
North Dakota13.6¢−26.2%+3.9%
Missouri13.7¢−25.8%+5.1%
New Mexico14.1¢−23.4%−2.6%
Iowa14.1¢−23.3%−0.1%
Louisiana14.2¢−23.3%+6.7%
Arkansas14.4¢−22.1%+8.9%
Tennessee14.5¢−21.5%+5.4%
Montana14.7¢−20.4%+13.9%
Wyoming14.8¢−19.7%+7.1%
Washington14.9¢−18.9%+9.5%
Kentucky15.0¢−18.8%+8.2%
North Carolina15.1¢−18.2%+5.4%
Kansas15.1¢−18.0%+2.7%
Florida15.2¢−17.7%+1.3%
Arizona15.2¢−17.4%−3.1%
South Dakota15.7¢−14.7%+9.8%
Georgia15.8¢−14.1%+5.7%
Mississippi16.2¢−12.4%+8.9%
Colorado16.2¢−12.4%+3.7%
South Carolina16.2¢−12.3%+5.0%
Oregon16.3¢−11.8%+2.3%
Texas16.4¢−10.8%+5.9%
Alabama16.8¢−9.1%+3.8%
West Virginia16.8¢−8.9%+3.8%
Minnesota16.9¢−8.1%+7.0%
Virginia17.6¢−4.5%+15.4%
Indiana18.1¢−1.6%+7.4%
Delaware19.4¢+5.1%+6.9%
Ohio19.5¢+5.9%+14.2%
Wisconsin19.7¢+7.0%+4.2%
Pennsylvania21.6¢+16.9%+11.7%
Maryland21.8¢+18.1%+14.6%
Michigan22.0¢+19.4%+8.8%
New Jersey23.3¢+26.2%+13.6%
Illinois23.9¢+29.3%+28.4%
Vermont24.9¢+35.0%+4.8%
Washington DC25.4¢+37.7%+24.3%
New Hampshire27.3¢+48.2%+13.8%
Connecticut27.4¢+48.4%−13.4%
Alaska28.2¢+53.1%+8.2%
Maine28.6¢+55.3%+2.6%
Massachusetts28.8¢+56.3%−3.6%
Rhode Island29.5¢+59.8%+1.6%
New York29.9¢+62.3%+12.1%
California33.3¢+80.3%−0.1%
Hawaii52.0¢+182.0%+26.7%
United States18.4¢+6.2%

Ten-year trend

Ten-year change in residential electricity rates by state

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

Average yearly change over ten years, May 2016 to May 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

StateMay 2026 ratePer year
Washington DC25.4¢+6.8%
Hawaii52.0¢+6.8%
California33.3¢+6.5%
Maine28.6¢+6.1%
Illinois23.9¢+5.8%
New York29.9¢+5.4%
Rhode Island29.5¢+5.0%
Washington14.9¢+4.5%
Massachusetts28.8¢+4.3%
Pennsylvania21.6¢+4.3%

Slowest rising

StateMay 2026 ratePer year
Kansas15.1¢+0.8%
Missouri13.7¢+1.1%
Iowa14.1¢+1.1%
Nevada13.6¢+1.2%
Arizona15.2¢+1.7%
Utah13.0¢+1.7%
Idaho12.3¢+2.0%
Oklahoma13.4¢+2.1%
Nebraska13.6¢+2.1%
North Dakota13.6¢+2.2%

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 May 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, May 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, May 2026.

Data: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)ElectricRates.org
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From → toMovers1,000 kWh
California → Texas77,161−$168
New York → New Jersey56,799−$67
California → Nevada53,289−$196
California → Arizona52,383−$180
Florida → Georgia52,371+$7
Florida → Texas52,219+$13
New York → Florida50,661−$148
Texas → California45,447+$168
Texas → Florida45,259−$13
California → Washington43,938−$183
New Jersey → Pennsylvania38,467−$17
California → Florida36,194−$181
New Jersey → New York36,002+$67
Georgia → Florida34,388−$7
Florida → North Carolina33,591−$1
Pennsylvania → Florida33,530−$64
North Carolina → South Carolina33,151+$11
Oregon → Washington32,341−$13
California → Oregon31,500−$170
California → New York31,367−$33

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 June 2025 through May 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 $155 a month.

Average rate against average monthly bill, Jun 2025 to May 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 $155 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
Colorado16.4¢665$109
Wisconsin18.6¢664$123
Michigan20.6¢635$131
Minnesota16.1¢737$119
Vermont23.5¢597$140
Illinois18.4¢719$132
Washington DC23.8¢637$152
Low rate, high bill
Tennessee13.5¢1,200$162
Mississippi14.6¢1,160$169
Louisiana13.0¢1,202$156
Florida15.4¢1,095$169
Georgia15.0¢1,074$161
South Carolina15.5¢1,062$164
Arizona15.4¢1,042$161

Twelve-month averages, June 2025 through May 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 May 2026: residential revenue divided by residential kilowatt-hour sales, in cents per kWh.
  • The one-year change compares May 2026 with the same month a year earlier, May 2025, so seasonal swings in rates do not distort the comparison.
  • The U.S. figure is EIA's national residential average for May 2026, and its one-year change compares it with May 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 May 2016 and May 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 June 2025 through May 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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