Where you live changes your electricity bill more than almost anything else you can control. The gap between the cheapest and most expensive state is more than threefold.
Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A, residential average, March 2026. US public domain.
Most expensive states
| Rank | State | Residential ¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | 42.23¢ |
| 2 | California | 33.35¢ |
| 3 | Connecticut | 30.47¢ |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 30.21¢ |
| 5 | Rhode Island | 29.91¢ |
Island and remote grids (Hawaii, Alaska) are structurally the priciest because they import fuel; California layers grid-hardening and wildfire costs on top; New England combines high demand with constrained supply. See the full list at most expensive states for electricity.
Cheapest states
| Rank | State | Residential ¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | 11.95¢ |
| 2 | Idaho | 13.01¢ |
| 3 | Nebraska | 13.10¢ |
| 4 | Utah | 13.17¢ |
| 5 | Iowa | 13.42¢ |
The cheapest states have abundant low-cost generation — Pacific Northwest hydro, cheap gas and coal, and plentiful wind. Full list at cheapest states for electricity.
What the gap means for your bill
A home using 1,000 kWh a month pays about $422 in Hawaii versus only $120 in North Dakota — for the same electricity. More concretely:
| State | 1,000 kWh costs |
|---|---|
| Hawaii (42.23¢) | ~$422 |
| US average (18.56¢) | ~$186 |
| North Dakota (11.95¢) | ~$120 |
Look up your own state on the state pages, and see how the rate changes appliance costs in the calculator.
Bottom line
In 2026 the US average residential rate is 18.56¢/kWh, but your state can be far above or below it. If you’re comparing a move or sizing a solar or EV decision, your local ¢/kWh is the number that matters most.