The average U.S. home paid 18.31 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for electricity in July 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). A year earlier the figure was 17.45 cents. That is an increase of 0.86 cents, or 4.9%.
The national number hides wide differences. Prices rose in 44 states and fell in 6. In 13 states the increase was 10% or more.
The Short Version
| Measure | July 2025 | July 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. average residential price | 17.45¢/kWh | 18.31¢/kWh | +0.86¢ (+4.9%) |
| Cost of 1,000 kWh at that price | $174.50 | $183.10 | +$8.60 |
| States with a higher price than a year earlier | 44 | ||
| States with a lower price than a year earlier | 6 |
Formula: percent change = (July 2026 price − July 2025 price) ÷ July 2025 price. Cost of 1,000 kWh = price in cents × 1,000 ÷ 100.
The 10 Largest Increases
| State | July 2025 (¢/kWh) | July 2026 (¢/kWh) | Change (¢) | Change (%) | Added cost per 1,000 kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 39.36 | 48.00 | +8.64 | +22.0% | $86.40 |
| New Hampshire | 22.79 | 26.60 | +3.81 | +16.7% | $38.10 |
| Maine | 27.98 | 32.41 | +4.43 | +15.8% | $44.30 |
| New York | 26.22 | 29.90 | +3.68 | +14.0% | $36.80 |
| Maryland | 18.83 | 21.41 | +2.58 | +13.7% | $25.80 |
| North Carolina | 13.37 | 15.16 | +1.79 | +13.4% | $17.90 |
| Michigan | 20.55 | 23.05 | +2.50 | +12.2% | $25.00 |
| Ohio | 17.38 | 19.45 | +2.07 | +11.9% | $20.70 |
| Idaho | 12.28 | 13.73 | +1.45 | +11.8% | $14.50 |
| Illinois | 17.22 | 19.22 | +2.00 | +11.6% | $20.00 |
Delaware (+11.5%), Pennsylvania (+11.3%) and Virginia (+11.2%) also rose by more than 10%.
A percentage can mislead on its own. North Carolina’s 13.4% increase adds $17.90 per 1,000 kWh. Maine’s 15.8% adds $44.30, because Maine started from a much higher price.
Where Prices Fell
| State | July 2025 (¢/kWh) | July 2026 (¢/kWh) | Change (¢) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 27.60 | 24.16 | −3.44 | −12.5% |
| Louisiana | 13.12 | 12.72 | −0.40 | −3.0% |
| Utah | 13.45 | 13.12 | −0.33 | −2.5% |
| Wyoming | 14.64 | 14.36 | −0.28 | −1.9% |
| New Jersey | 25.32 | 25.19 | −0.13 | −0.5% |
| Florida | 15.11 | 15.03 | −0.08 | −0.5% |
Connecticut is the only state with a large drop. Even after it, Connecticut’s 24.16¢ is the tenth-highest price in the country.
Highest and Lowest Prices
| Highest | July 2026 (¢/kWh) | Lowest | July 2026 (¢/kWh) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 48.00 | Louisiana | 12.72 | |
| California | 33.61 | Nevada | 12.77 | |
| Maine | 32.41 | Utah | 13.12 | |
| Massachusetts | 30.49 | North Dakota | 13.41 | |
| New York | 29.90 | Tennessee | 13.71 | |
| Alaska | 28.83 | Idaho | 13.73 | |
| Rhode Island | 28.29 | Nebraska | 13.78 | |
| New Hampshire | 26.60 | Kentucky | 13.81 | |
| New Jersey | 25.19 | Arkansas | 14.33 | |
| Connecticut | 24.16 | Oklahoma | 14.35 |
Hawaii’s price is 3.8 times Louisiana’s (48.00 ÷ 12.72). At 1,000 kWh, that is $480.00 against $127.20.
The full 50-state table is on our rates by state page.
What These Numbers Are, and Are Not
- What EIA measures: total revenue from residential customers divided by total kWh sold to them, for every utility in the state. EIA collects it on Form EIA-861M.
- Fixed charges are inside it. A monthly service charge is revenue, so it raises the average. The figure is not the per-kWh energy rate printed on a tariff.
- It blends utilities. Investor-owned utilities, cooperatives and city utilities are averaged together. No single utility’s rate represents a state.
- July is a summer month. Where utilities charge more in summer, a July figure is higher than the annual average. Comparing July with July keeps the season the same.
- Usage affects the average. In a hot month, more kWh are sold and fixed charges are spread over more of them, which can lower the average even if no rate changed.
- The data are preliminary. EIA labels these values as estimates based on a sample, and it revises them.
EIA’s table does not say why a state’s price moved. The causes differ by state: fuel costs, supply auctions, approved rate cases and temporary bill credits all play a part. Our state guides cover the specific changes we could document, including Hawaii, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, Maryland, North Carolina and Connecticut.
What It Means for Homeowners Considering Solar
A higher retail price raises the value of each kWh a solar system produces and you use in your home. It does not automatically raise what you earn for power you send to the grid. That depends on your utility’s export credit, which in many states is a fraction of the retail rate. Our comparison of solar export credit rates by utility shows how wide that gap can be, and the solar payback guide shows how to put both numbers into one calculation.
Do not use a statewide average in a solar quote. Use the rate on your own bill.
What to Do With This
- Find your own price: divide a recent bill’s total electric charges by the kWh used. Compare it with your state’s average.
- Separate the fixed monthly charge from the per-kWh charges. Solar and efficiency reduce only the per-kWh part.
- Check your state guide for approved and pending changes before assuming this year’s trend continues.
Limitations
This article reports one month of preliminary data compared with the same month a year earlier. It does not forecast prices, and a single month can be affected by weather. EIA’s next Electric Power Monthly is scheduled for October 23, 2026.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What was the average U.S. residential electricity price in July 2026?
18.31 cents per kWh, according to EIA's Electric Power Monthly released September 24, 2026. That compares with 17.45 cents in July 2025, an increase of 4.9%.
Which state has the highest electricity price?
Hawaii, at 48.00 cents per kWh in July 2026. California (33.61 cents) and Maine (32.41 cents) were next.
Which state has the lowest electricity price?
Louisiana, at 12.72 cents per kWh in July 2026, followed by Nevada (12.77 cents) and Utah (13.12 cents).
Is the EIA state average the rate I pay?
No. EIA divides total residential revenue by total kWh sold across every utility in a state. The result includes fixed monthly charges and blends many utilities and rate plans. Your own rate can be well above or below it.
