The average US electric bill is $149 per month ($1,786 per year) in 2026, based on average residential consumption of 886 kWh/month at the national average rate of 16.8 cents/kWh. However, monthly bills range from $93 in Utah to over $200 in Hawaii and Connecticut, driven by vast differences in both electricity rates and consumption patterns.
Your electric bill is determined by a simple equation: rate x usage = bill. Understanding both variables — and how they interact in your state — is the key to knowing whether your bill is normal and where your best savings opportunities lie.
Average Monthly Electric Bill: All 50 States Ranked
Complete State Rankings (Highest to Lowest Bill)
| Rank | State | Monthly Bill | Annual Bill | Rate (cents/kWh) | Monthly kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $217 | $2,600 | 42.1 | 515 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $208 | $2,501 | 29.9 | 697 |
| 3 | Alabama | $178 | $2,133 | 14.7 | 1,210 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $177 | $2,120 | 28.6 | 618 |
| 5 | Mississippi | $168 | $2,011 | 13.8 | 1,214 |
| 6 | South Carolina | $166 | $1,997 | 14.5 | 1,148 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $166 | $1,989 | 27.1 | 612 |
| 8 | Florida | $164 | $1,966 | 15.5 | 1,056 |
| 9 | Georgia | $161 | $1,929 | 14.2 | 1,132 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $161 | $1,932 | 27.8 | 580 |
| 11 | Alaska | $157 | $1,886 | 24.2 | 649 |
| 12 | Tennessee | $156 | $1,870 | 12.8 | 1,218 |
| 13 | Texas | $155 | $1,856 | 14.2 | 1,090 |
| 14 | California | $152 | $1,822 | 27.6 | 550 |
| 15 | Louisiana | $152 | $1,819 | 12.1 | 1,252 |
| 16 | North Carolina | $145 | $1,738 | 13.1 | 1,106 |
| 17 | Maryland | $142 | $1,702 | 16.2 | 876 |
| 18 | Arizona | $142 | $1,706 | 14.3 | 994 |
| 19 | New York | $140 | $1,685 | 22.5 | 624 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $139 | $1,673 | 17.5 | 796 |
| 21 | Delaware | $137 | $1,639 | 15.2 | 898 |
| 23 | Virginia | $134 | $1,613 | 14.0 | 960 |
| 24 | Oklahoma | $134 | $1,607 | 12.4 | 1,081 |
| 25 | Arkansas | $134 | $1,608 | 12.5 | 1,072 |
| 26 | Maine | $133 | $1,594 | 24.8 | 536 |
| 27 | Indiana | $129 | $1,542 | 14.8 | 869 |
| 28 | New Jersey | $128 | $1,535 | 18.8 | 681 |
| 29 | Missouri | $126 | $1,508 | 12.7 | 990 |
| 30 | Kentucky | $124 | $1,495 | 12.3 | 1,012 |
| 31 | West Virginia | $124 | $1,493 | 12.9 | 964 |
| 32 | Kansas | $120 | $1,441 | 13.8 | 870 |
| 33 | Nevada | $120 | $1,438 | 13.1 | 915 |
| 34 | Michigan | $119 | $1,427 | 18.4 | 646 |
| 35 | Ohio | $119 | $1,433 | 14.6 | 818 |
| 36 | Iowa | $119 | $1,427 | 14.0 | 849 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $117 | $1,399 | 12.0 | 972 |
| 38 | South Dakota | $116 | $1,393 | 12.8 | 907 |
| 39 | Wisconsin | $116 | $1,386 | 16.1 | 718 |
| 40 | Vermont | $116 | $1,390 | 21.4 | 542 |
| 41 | Minnesota | $110 | $1,318 | 14.5 | 757 |
| 42 | Oregon | $106 | $1,277 | 12.0 | 887 |
| 43 | Idaho | $106 | $1,277 | 10.5 | 1,014 |
| 44 | Montana | $106 | $1,270 | 12.2 | 868 |
| 45 | North Dakota | $104 | $1,244 | 11.6 | 894 |
| 46 | Washington | $102 | $1,228 | 10.8 | 948 |
| 47 | Illinois | $101 | $1,213 | 15.4 | 656 |
| 48 | Colorado | $98 | $1,181 | 14.1 | 698 |
| 49 | Wyoming | $97 | $1,162 | 11.5 | 842 |
| 50 | Utah | $93 | $1,118 | 11.2 | 832 |
Notice that the highest-bill states don't perfectly match the highest-rate states. Alabama ranks #3 for highest bills despite a below-average rate (14.7 cents) because consumption is enormous (1,210 kWh/month). California has the 5th-highest rate but only the 14th-highest bill because Californians use relatively little electricity.
Bill vs. Rate: Why the Distinction Matters
This is one of the most misunderstood concepts in home energy. A high rate doesn't necessarily mean a high bill, and vice versa.
The Two Paths to High Electric Bills
| Path | Example | Rate | Usage | Bill | Best Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Rate, Moderate Usage | Connecticut | 29.9 cents | 697 kWh | $208 | Reduce consumption, go solar |
| Low Rate, Very High Usage | Alabama | 14.7 cents | 1,210 kWh | $178 | Improve efficiency, reduce HVAC load |
| High Rate + High Usage | Hawaii | 42.1 cents | 515 kWh | $217 | Solar + efficiency + conservation |
| Low Rate + Low Usage | Utah | 11.2 cents | 832 kWh | $93 | Already optimal |
Monthly Bill Variation Through the Year
Electric bills fluctuate significantly with the seasons. Your peak month might be 50% higher than your lowest month.
National Average Monthly Electric Bill by Month (2026)
| Month | Avg Electric Bill | vs. Annual Avg | Primary Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | $172 | +15% | Electric heating peak |
| February | $163 | +9% | Heating |
| March | $142 | -5% | Spring transition |
| April | $126 | -15% | Mild weather |
| May | $133 | -11% | Early cooling |
| June | $154 | +3% | Cooling ramp-up |
| July | $176 | +18% | Summer peak |
| August | $180 | +21% | Summer peak |
| September | $157 | +5% | Late cooling |
| October | $131 | -12% | Fall transition |
| November | $137 | -8% | Early heating |
| December | $161 | +8% | Heating + holidays |
Your "baseline" bill in the mildest months (April, October) represents your non-HVAC electricity costs: refrigeration, lighting, cooking, electronics, and water heating. Everything above that baseline is weather-driven.
Average Electric Bill by Home Size
| Home Size | Avg Monthly Bill | Avg Annual Bill | Per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1,000 sq ft | $85 | $1,020 | $8.50 |
| 1,000-1,499 sq ft | $115 | $1,380 | $8.85 |
| 1,500-1,999 sq ft | $142 | $1,704 | $8.11 |
| 2,000-2,499 sq ft | $164 | $1,968 | $7.29 |
| 2,500-2,999 sq ft | $187 | $2,244 | $6.81 |
| 3,000-3,999 sq ft | $218 | $2,616 | $6.23 |
| 4,000+ sq ft | $273 | $3,276 | $6.21 |
The per-square-foot cost actually decreases for larger homes because certain baseload items (refrigerator, water heater, lighting) don't scale linearly with home size.
Average Electric Bill by Housing Type
| Home Type | Avg Monthly Bill | Avg Annual Bill |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family detached | $171 | $2,052 |
| Townhouse | $126 | $1,512 |
| Small apartment (2-4 units) | $97 | $1,164 |
| Large apartment (5+ units) | $77 | $924 |
| Mobile home | $140 | $1,680 |
Real-World Bill Examples
Example 1: Below-Average Bill — Couple in Portland, OR
Profile: 1,400 sq ft townhouse, gas furnace, 2 people, LED lighting. Rate: 12.0 cents/kWh. Monthly usage: 550 kWh. Monthly bill: $66. This is 56% below the national average — mild climate, gas heating, shared walls, efficient home, and cheap electricity all contribute.
Example 2: Average Bill — Family of Four in Columbus, OH
Profile: 2,200 sq ft single-family home, gas furnace, central AC, 4 people. Rate: 14.6 cents/kWh. Monthly usage: 980 kWh. Monthly bill: $143. Essentially right at the national average. Summer peaks around $200; winter dips to $100.
Example 3: High Bill — Family in Mobile, AL
Profile: 2,800 sq ft home, all-electric heat pump, 4 people, pool. Rate: 14.7 cents/kWh. Monthly usage: 1,450 kWh. Monthly bill: $213. The all-electric setup, pool pump ($55/month), and long cooling season in a hot-humid climate push this well above average.
Example 4: Extremely High Bill — Older Home in Connecticut
Profile: 3,500 sq ft colonial, electric resistance heating, poor insulation, 5 people. Rate: 29.9 cents/kWh. January usage: 1,800 kWh. January bill: $538. Annual average: $320/month. The triple whammy of high rates, electric resistance heating, and poor insulation creates devastating winter bills. A heat pump conversion plus air sealing could cut this by 50%.
How to Determine if Your Bill Is Too High
Here's a quick benchmarking framework:
Step 1: Find your state's average monthly bill in the table above.
Step 2: Adjust for your circumstances. Add 15% if your home is larger than average for your state. Add 30-50% if you have all-electric heating instead of gas. Add 10% for each person above 2 in your household. Add $40-60 if you have a pool pump.
Step 3: Compare. If your actual bill exceeds your adjusted benchmark by more than 20%, you likely have efficiency issues worth investigating. Start with a DIY energy audit.
A sudden spike in your electric bill (25%+ above recent months without weather explanation) could indicate a malfunctioning appliance, HVAC problem, or even a meter error. Compare your meter reading to your bill and check if any appliances are running continuously.
Strategies to Lower Your Electric Bill
Quick Wins ($0-$100 Investment)
| Action | Monthly Savings | Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Thermostat setbacks (2-3 degrees) | $10-$20 | Free — adjust now |
| Switch to cold water laundry | $8-$15 | Free |
| Eliminate phantom loads | $10-$20 | Smart strips ($25-40) |
| Replace remaining non-LED bulbs | $12-$20 | $60-$150 total |
| Lower water heater to 120 degrees F | $4-$8 | Free |
| Clean AC condenser coils | $5-$10 | Free (garden hose) |
Medium Investments ($100-$2,000)
| Action | Monthly Savings | Investment | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart thermostat | $15-$30 | $130-$250 | 5-16 months |
| Attic air sealing + insulation | $25-$50 | $1,500-$2,500 | 30-60 months |
| Duct sealing | $15-$30 | $300-$800 | 10-27 months |
| Window film | $5-$12 | $100-$300 | 8-25 months |
Major Upgrades ($2,000+)
| Action | Monthly Savings | Net Investment* | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat pump replacement | $30-$70 | $5,000-$8,000 | 6-14 years |
| Heat pump water heater | $25-$40 | $1,400-$2,500 | 3-6 years |
| Solar panels (6 kW) | $75-$200 | $7,000-$12,000 | 3-10 years |
| Whole-home battery | $20-$40 | $8,000-$14,000 | Long |
*After applicable federal tax credits.
Key Takeaways:
- Average US electric bill: $149/month ($1,786/year) in 2026
- Highest bills: Hawaii ($217), Connecticut ($208), Alabama ($178)
- Lowest bills: Utah ($93), Wyoming ($97), Colorado ($98)
- High bills come from high rates (New England), high usage (Southeast), or both
- Bills swing 40-50% between mildest and most extreme months
- Single-family homes average $171/month vs. $77/month for apartments
- Quick wins ($0-$100 invested) can save $50-$80/month
- Major upgrades with tax credits can cut bills by 30-50%
Frequently Asked Questions
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