Monthly reports / January 2026
Monthly report · residential electricity
Electricity prices in January 2026
The average U.S. home paid 17.4¢ per kWh in January 2026, +9.5% compared with January 2025. Rates rose in 47 of 50 states and D.C. The biggest jump was in District of Columbia (+26.0%), while Connecticut fell the most (-5.7%).
U.S. average rate
17.4¢/kWh
+9.5% vs Jan 2025
Average bill
$175/mo
+2.9% vs Jan 2025
Average use
1,004kWh
Per household, January 2026
States with higher rates
47of 51
Including D.C.
Biggest rate increases from a year earlier
District of Columbia+26.0%
Maine+17.6%
New Jersey+17.5%
Washington+17.2%
Pennsylvania+15.0%
Kentucky+14.8%
Oklahoma+14.4%
Virginia+13.8%
Maryland+13.0%
Montana+13.0%
Where rates fell
Most expensive
Cheapest
Highest average bills in January 2026
Average bill = residential revenue ÷ customers for the month. High bills come from heavy use as well as high rates.
All states, January 2026
| State | Rate | vs Jan 2025 | Avg bill | Avg use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.1¢ | +6.4% | $217 | 1,350 kWh |
| Alaska | 25.5¢ | +3.2% | $211 | 825 kWh |
| Arizona | 15.6¢ | +6.0% | $118 | 755 kWh |
| Arkansas | 12.3¢ | +9.5% | $152 | 1,234 kWh |
| California | 30.3¢ | 0.0% | $183 | 604 kWh |
| Colorado | 16.4¢ | +10.1% | $113 | 685 kWh |
| Connecticut | 28.3¢ | -5.7% | $245 | 867 kWh |
| Delaware | 16.5¢ | +6.3% | $193 | 1,168 kWh |
| District of Columbia | 23.7¢ | +26.0% | $188 | 793 kWh |
| Florida | 15.9¢ | +10.4% | $155 | 972 kWh |
| Georgia | 14.5¢ | +7.1% | $180 | 1,248 kWh |
| Hawaii | 39.8¢ | -1.8% | $222 | 559 kWh |
| Idaho | 12.1¢ | +11.6% | $143 | 1,183 kWh |
| Illinois | 16.4¢ | +3.7% | $133 | 812 kWh |
| Indiana | 16.2¢ | +11.3% | $192 | 1,187 kWh |
| Iowa | 12.8¢ | +7.0% | $138 | 1,079 kWh |
| Kansas | 14.3¢ | +7.0% | $144 | 1,004 kWh |
| Kentucky | 14.3¢ | +14.8% | $209 | 1,465 kWh |
| Louisiana | 12.5¢ | +12.3% | $151 | 1,216 kWh |
| Maine | 30.7¢ | +17.6% | $181 | 590 kWh |
| Maryland | 20.6¢ | +13.0% | $271 | 1,317 kWh |
| Massachusetts | 31.2¢ | +3.6% | $223 | 717 kWh |
| Michigan | 19.5¢ | +5.6% | $140 | 716 kWh |
| Minnesota | 15.0¢ | +3.2% | $133 | 891 kWh |
| Mississippi | 14.2¢ | +11.8% | $181 | 1,268 kWh |
| Missouri | 11.8¢ | +5.3% | $159 | 1,345 kWh |
| Montana | 12.9¢ | +13.0% | $141 | 1,100 kWh |
| Nebraska | 11.8¢ | +11.7% | $136 | 1,153 kWh |
| Nevada | 14.0¢ | +0.7% | $97 | 693 kWh |
| New Hampshire | 26.3¢ | +12.5% | $213 | 811 kWh |
| New Jersey | 23.1¢ | +17.5% | $174 | 753 kWh |
| New Mexico | 14.7¢ | +7.6% | $99 | 673 kWh |
| New York | 28.4¢ | +12.0% | $191 | 674 kWh |
| North Carolina | 13.7¢ | +9.4% | $185 | 1,351 kWh |
| North Dakota | 10.9¢ | +9.7% | $172 | 1,578 kWh |
| Ohio | 17.6¢ | +12.6% | $195 | 1,110 kWh |
| Oklahoma | 12.6¢ | +14.4% | $152 | 1,205 kWh |
| Oregon | 14.7¢ | +1.3% | $167 | 1,139 kWh |
| Pennsylvania | 20.2¢ | +15.0% | $229 | 1,135 kWh |
| Rhode Island | 30.1¢ | -4.8% | $191 | 633 kWh |
| South Carolina | 15.4¢ | +11.0% | $198 | 1,283 kWh |
| South Dakota | 13.6¢ | +12.6% | $173 | 1,269 kWh |
| Tennessee | 13.1¢ | +4.1% | $179 | 1,370 kWh |
| Texas | 15.7¢ | +7.0% | $170 | 1,085 kWh |
| Utah | 12.9¢ | +6.4% | $97 | 751 kWh |
| Vermont | 23.3¢ | +7.1% | $184 | 790 kWh |
| Virginia | 15.9¢ | +13.8% | $240 | 1,509 kWh |
| Washington | 13.8¢ | +17.2% | $175 | 1,269 kWh |
| West Virginia | 14.8¢ | +2.1% | $240 | 1,623 kWh |
| Wisconsin | 18.2¢ | +4.8% | $143 | 785 kWh |
| Wyoming | 12.8¢ | +9.9% | $143 | 1,113 kWh |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, monthly retail sales (Form EIA-861M). Monthly rates swing with the season, so compare a month with the same month a year earlier.
Common questions
- How much did electricity prices go up in January 2026?
- The U.S. average residential electricity rate was 17.4¢ per kWh in January 2026, +9.5% compared with January 2025. Rates rose in 47 of 50 states and D.C. and fell in 3. The largest increase was in District of Columbia (+26.0%). Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.
- Which state had the most expensive electricity in January 2026?
- Hawaii had the highest average residential rate at 39.8¢ per kWh, followed by Massachusetts and Maine. The cheapest was North Dakota at 10.9¢.
- What was the average electric bill in January 2026?
- The average U.S. household paid about $175 for electricity in January 2026, using 1,004 kWh, +2.9% compared with January 2025. The highest average bill was in Maryland ($271).