Average Electric Bill by State: 2026 Guide
The national average is $137/month but ranges from $87 to $210 depending on your state. Here is where yours falls.
The cheapest states for electricity: Utah ($87/month average), Washington ($96), Idaho ($99), Nevada ($103), Oregon ($105). The most expensive: Hawaii ($210), Connecticut ($198), Massachusetts ($180), Rhode Island ($173), California ($170). The difference between the cheapest and most expensive state is $123/month — nearly $1,500/year — driven primarily by electricity rates and climate (AC usage in hot states, heating in cold ones).
What Uses the Most Electricity
HVAC (heating and cooling): 40-50% of your bill. Water heater: 14%. Washer and dryer: 13%. Lighting: 12%. Refrigerator: 4%. Electronics and small appliances: 7%. The single biggest impact you can make: optimize your thermostat. Every degree of AC you raise saves 1-3% on your bill. Setting AC to 78°F instead of 72°F saves $15-40/month in summer.
Easy Savings
Switch to LED bulbs ($100-200/year savings for a whole house). Use a programmable thermostat ($150-200/year savings). Seal air leaks around windows and doors ($50-100/year). Run dishwasher and laundry during off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use rates. Unplug devices when not in use (phantom loads cost $100-200/year). These changes combined can reduce your electric bill by 20-30%.