Why electricity prices differ so much by state
Where you live makes a large difference to what you pay for electricity: in August 2026 the average residential price ran from 12.72¢/kWh in Nevada to 47.18¢/kWh in Hawaii, against a U.S. average of 18.16¢/kWh, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data.
What makes up the price?
The EIA explains that generating electricity is the largest part of its price, followed by the cost of delivering it through transmission and distribution lines. How a state generates its power, and how far and how efficiently it has to move it, shows up in the price per kWh. Nationally, homes paid an average of 18.16¢/kWh in August 2026.
Which states have the highest and lowest prices?
Highest average residential prices in August 2026:
- Hawaii: 47.18¢/kWh
- Maine: 32.11¢/kWh
- Massachusetts: 30.48¢/kWh
- California: 29.75¢/kWh
- Alaska: 29.41¢/kWh
Lowest:
- Nevada: 12.72¢/kWh
- Louisiana: 12.87¢/kWh
- North Dakota: 13.31¢/kWh
- Utah: 13.31¢/kWh
- Idaho: 13.37¢/kWh
Why is Hawaii so expensive?
The EIA points out that most of Hawaii's electricity is generated with petroleum fuels that have to be imported. In August 2026 Hawaii's average residential price was 47.18¢/kWh, against the U.S. average of 18.16¢/kWh. Even so, Hawaii's average bill ($269) ranked 51st among the 50 states and DC, where 1st is the lowest, because the typical home there used only 570 kWh. See the Hawaii electricity page for the trend.
Does a high price mean a high bill?
Not necessarily. A bill is price × usage. In August 2026 the lowest average bill was in Wyoming ($118) and the highest in Hawaii ($269); the highest bill came at a price of 47.18¢/kWh but with 570 kWh of use.
How do homes compare with businesses?
The EIA notes that industrial customers pay less per kWh than homes because they use more electricity and take it at higher voltages, which is more efficient to supply. Residential customers pay the most per kWh of any sector; the residential average was 18.16¢/kWh in August 2026.
Where does my state stand?
Open the full ranking of 50 states and DC or estimate your own bill with the electric bill calculator. The national average bill of $209 in August 2026 is the benchmark.
Sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Electricity retail sales to ultimate customers, residential sector (Forms EIA-861M, EIA-861), data period August 2026
- EIA Open Data API v2, electricity/retail-sales, data period August 2026
Background reading: EIA, Electricity explained: prices and factors affecting prices; EIA, Hawaii state profile.
General information based on public data, not financial advice. Your own bill depends on your utility, rate plan, fixed charge, use and any taxes added to it. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it publicly.