America’s most and least expensive states for electricity

Do you know which state has the highest electricity prices?

Electricity rates vary widely by state. Using 2024 averages, Hawaii had the highest residential price at 42.86¢/kWh, while the lowest was North Dakota at 11.51¢/kWh. The U.S. residential average in 2024 was 16.48¢/kWh.

Prices differ because states rely on different fuels and power plants, and they face different grid costs. Transmission and distribution expenses, weather-driven demand, and state policies also play a major role in what shows up on monthly bills.

Most expensive is Hawaii

In 2024, Hawaii had the highest average residential electricity price in the nation at 42.86¢ per kWh. Commercial customers also faced very high prices, averaging 38.18¢ per kWh. The average residential monthly bill was about $212 in 2024.

Hawaii’s grid is isolated, and a large share of its in-state electricity generation still comes from petroleum-fired power. That fuel dependence helps keep electricity prices higher than in most other states.

California

In 2024, California had one of the highest residential electricity prices in the country at 31.97¢ per kWh. Commercial prices were also high at 25.54¢ per kWh, and the average residential monthly bill was about $161.

California’s electricity system includes retail-choice options—such as Community Choice Aggregation and Direct Access—where some customers can select a different provider for generation while utilities continue to deliver power.

High demand and major grid and policy costs can drive higher prices, so many households seek efficiency upgrades and bill-management tools.

Connecticut

In 2024, Connecticut’s average residential electricity price was 28.75¢ per kWh, among the highest in the U.S. Commercial prices averaged 21.21¢ per kWh, and the average residential monthly bill was about $200.

Connecticut’s electric system is closely linked to the broader New England market, where natural gas plays a major role in power generation, and winter constraints can drive higher costs.

Many households try to manage bills by making efficiency upgrades and using resources more carefully during the seasons.

Massachusetts

In 2024, Massachusetts averaged 29.35¢ per kWh for residential electricity, placing it among the highest-priced states. Commercial electricity averaged 20.90¢ per kWh, and the average residential monthly bill was about $167.

Massachusetts is part of the New England power system, where regional fuel and grid conditions can affect prices.

The state’s primary in-state electricity source is natural gas, and many residents use energy-efficiency tools—such as smart thermostats and weatherization—to help control monthly costs.

Rhode Island

In 2024, Rhode Island’s average residential electricity price was 28.65¢ per kWh, and commercial electricity averaged 21.09¢ per kWh. The average residential monthly bill was about $162.

Rhode Island’s in-state electricity generation is dominated by natural gas, and EIA notes the state produced 87% of its in-state electricity from natural gas in 2024—the highest share of any state.

Those regional fuel dynamics can help explain why prices remain well above the national average.

Least expensive is North Dakota

In 2024, North Dakota was among the lowest-priced states for residential electricity at 11.51¢ per kWh. Commercial electricity averaged 7.19¢ per kWh, and the average residential monthly bill was about $118.

North Dakota’s low prices reflect, in part, access to relatively low-cost generation.

EIA reports that in 2024, coal-fired plants produced 54% of the state’s electricity, and wind produced 35%, resulting in a mix that can support lower average prices than many coastal markets.

Washington

In 2024, Washington averaged 11.90¢ per kWh for residential electricity and 9.99¢ per kWh for commercial electricity. The average residential monthly bill was about $114, reflecting both relatively low prices and higher average monthly consumption.

Washington’s primary in-state electricity source is hydroelectric power, which helps keep average rates lower than those in many other regions.

The state also has significant wind generation, supporting a lower-emissions mix than states that rely more heavily on fossil fuels.

Idaho

In 2024, Idaho averaged 11.52¢ per kWh for residential electricity and 9.17¢ per kWh for commercial electricity. The average residential monthly bill was about $109.

Idaho’s primary in-state electricity source is hydroelectric power, which helps support relatively low average rates.

While other resources also contribute to the mix, abundant hydropower is a central reason Idaho’s electricity prices tend to run below the U.S. average.

Arkansas

In 2024, Nebraska was among the lowest-priced states for residential electricity at 11.53¢ per kWh. Commercial electricity averaged 8.39¢ per kWh, and the average residential monthly bill was about $110.

Nebraska’s electric system is unusual nationally because the state is served by publicly owned power systems.

That structure, combined with the region’s resource mix and grid conditions, helps keep average electricity prices relatively low compared with those in many other states.

Louisiana

In 2024, Louisiana averaged 11.73¢ per kWh for residential electricity and 10.46¢ per kWh for commercial electricity. The average residential monthly bill was about $141, driven in part by relatively high electricity use despite low prices.

Louisiana’s electricity generation is heavily fueled by natural gas. EIA reports that in 2024, natural gas accounted for about 76% of the state’s electricity net generation, which helps explain why Louisiana’s average electricity prices tend to run below the national average.

Regional patterns

In 2024, the highest residential electricity prices clustered in places like Hawaii and the Northeast—including Massachusetts (29.35¢/kWh), Connecticut (28.75¢/kWh), and Rhode Island (28.65¢/kWh).

Lower-priced states included parts of the Plains and Northwest, such as North Dakota (11.51¢/kWh), Idaho (11.52¢/kWh), and Washington (11.90¢/kWh).

These patterns reflect a mix of fuel supply, grid costs, and policy choices. Retail prices often rise when transmission and distribution costs are high or when fuel and power-plant costs run higher, and they tend to be lower where low-cost resources—like hydropower—play a major role.

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Key cost drivers

Electricity prices reflect many moving parts: the cost of fuel to generate power, the cost to build and operate power plants, and the cost to maintain the grid that delivers electricity to homes and businesses. Weather and demand swings can also affect prices, especially during extreme heat or cold.

Monthly bills depend on both the price per kWh and the amount of electricity a household uses.

To lower costs, many customers focus on efficiency upgrades, smarter thermostat settings, and shifting usage to cheaper time periods when time-of-use rates are available—then compare supply options where retail choice is offered.

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Did you know that regulation affects your monthly bill more than fuel sometimes? Share your state’s rates.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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