Electric Bill by State 2026: Full Rate Comparison
Quick Answers
Has the national rate gone up recently?
Yes, from 15.04 cents/kWh in 2022 to 18.83 cents/kWh in April 2026, a 25% rise in four years (EIA).
What's driving the increase?
Rising natural gas prices, record data-center power demand, and grid-hardening infrastructure investment are the primary drivers cited by industry rate analysts.
Are any states seeing rates fall?
Yes — nine states saw electricity prices decrease between March 2025 and March 2026 even as the national average rose.
The national picture
The national average residential rate sits at 18.83 cents/kWh as of April 2026, up 7.4% year-over-year and 25% over the past four years.
The most expensive states
Hawaii (46.62¢), California (35.25¢), Connecticut (32.24¢), New York (29.99¢), and Massachusetts (29.45¢) currently top the list.
The least expensive states
North Dakota (12.35¢), Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming (all in the 11-12 cent range) sit at the bottom, largely thanks to abundant regional generation and lower population density.
What this means for your budget
Run your own state and bill through the CCM Energy Score calculator to see exactly how your local rate compares and how much of your score it accounts for.
Want to see where you personally stand? Check your own CCM Energy Score, free and takes under a minute.