Monthly reports / March 2026
Monthly report · residential electricity
Electricity prices in March 2026
The average U.S. home paid 18.8¢ per kWh in March 2026, +10.2% compared with March 2025. Rates rose in 45 of 50 states and D.C. The biggest jump was in Maryland (+89.3%), while Rhode Island fell the most (-7.4%).
U.S. average rate
18.8¢/kWh
+10.2% vs Mar 2025
Average bill
$141/mo
+8.5% vs Mar 2025
Average use
748kWh
Per household, March 2026
States with higher rates
45of 51
Including D.C.
Biggest rate increases from a year earlier
Maryland+89.3%
District of Columbia+22.5%
New Jersey+18.2%
New Hampshire+18.0%
Ohio+16.6%
Virginia+14.5%
Washington+14.1%
Pennsylvania+13.6%
Montana+13.0%
Tennessee+12.8%
Where rates fell
Most expensive
Cheapest
Highest average bills in March 2026
Average bill = residential revenue ÷ customers for the month. High bills come from heavy use as well as high rates.
All states, March 2026
| State | Rate | vs Mar 2025 | Avg bill | Avg use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 17.1¢ | +3.6% | $150 | 877 kWh |
| Alaska | 27.2¢ | +5.4% | $192 | 708 kWh |
| Arizona | 15.6¢ | +3.0% | $133 | 856 kWh |
| Arkansas | 13.6¢ | +8.3% | $111 | 812 kWh |
| California | 33.4¢ | +2.7% | $154 | 461 kWh |
| Colorado | 16.7¢ | +11.3% | $99 | 590 kWh |
| Connecticut | 30.5¢ | -6.2% | $202 | 662 kWh |
| Delaware | 17.6¢ | +5.6% | $171 | 971 kWh |
| District of Columbia | 25.0¢ | +22.5% | $166 | 666 kWh |
| Florida | 14.9¢ | -1.5% | $133 | 897 kWh |
| Georgia | 15.0¢ | +2.2% | $126 | 842 kWh |
| Hawaii | 42.2¢ | +2.7% | $205 | 485 kWh |
| Idaho | 13.0¢ | +12.4% | $113 | 866 kWh |
| Illinois | 18.9¢ | +7.5% | $115 | 611 kWh |
| Indiana | 17.9¢ | +8.8% | $144 | 805 kWh |
| Iowa | 13.4¢ | +7.5% | $108 | 808 kWh |
| Kansas | 15.3¢ | +7.0% | $106 | 692 kWh |
| Kentucky | 14.9¢ | +12.7% | $140 | 938 kWh |
| Louisiana | 14.2¢ | +8.4% | $126 | 890 kWh |
| Maine | 28.3¢ | +0.2% | $189 | 669 kWh |
| Maryland | 35.9¢ | +89.3% | $312 | 869 kWh |
| Massachusetts | 30.2¢ | +0.1% | $179 | 594 kWh |
| Michigan | 21.2¢ | +9.6% | $122 | 576 kWh |
| Minnesota | 15.1¢ | -0.1% | $109 | 721 kWh |
| Mississippi | 16.3¢ | +11.3% | $142 | 872 kWh |
| Missouri | 13.4¢ | +11.9% | $119 | 889 kWh |
| Montana | 13.5¢ | +13.0% | $118 | 876 kWh |
| Nebraska | 13.1¢ | +11.9% | $115 | 881 kWh |
| Nevada | 14.2¢ | -1.8% | $95 | 671 kWh |
| New Hampshire | 26.9¢ | +18.0% | $171 | 634 kWh |
| New Jersey | 23.5¢ | +18.2% | $129 | 547 kWh |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | +0.2% | $75 | 506 kWh |
| New York | 28.6¢ | +12.2% | $155 | 544 kWh |
| North Carolina | 16.0¢ | +8.1% | $133 | 834 kWh |
| North Dakota | 11.9¢ | +7.6% | $141 | 1,181 kWh |
| Ohio | 18.8¢ | +16.6% | $144 | 764 kWh |
| Oklahoma | 13.6¢ | +9.6% | $108 | 799 kWh |
| Oregon | 14.9¢ | -1.8% | $130 | 874 kWh |
| Pennsylvania | 20.9¢ | +13.6% | $168 | 805 kWh |
| Rhode Island | 29.9¢ | -7.4% | $157 | 523 kWh |
| South Carolina | 16.4¢ | +7.7% | $135 | 819 kWh |
| South Dakota | 14.3¢ | +12.1% | $144 | 1,006 kWh |
| Tennessee | 15.1¢ | +12.8% | $149 | 986 kWh |
| Texas | 16.4¢ | +7.3% | $134 | 819 kWh |
| Utah | 13.2¢ | +6.3% | $83 | 630 kWh |
| Vermont | 24.1¢ | +7.7% | $149 | 619 kWh |
| Virginia | 17.1¢ | +14.5% | $154 | 904 kWh |
| Washington | 14.4¢ | +14.1% | $157 | 1,092 kWh |
| West Virginia | 16.4¢ | +3.0% | $170 | 1,041 kWh |
| Wisconsin | 18.8¢ | +5.9% | $118 | 626 kWh |
| Wyoming | 13.6¢ | +9.5% | $117 | 859 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 March 2026?
- The U.S. average residential electricity rate was 18.8¢ per kWh in March 2026, +10.2% compared with March 2025. Rates rose in 45 of 50 states and D.C. and fell in 6. The largest increase was in Maryland (+89.3%). Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.
- Which state had the most expensive electricity in March 2026?
- Hawaii had the highest average residential rate at 42.2¢ per kWh, followed by Maryland and California. The cheapest was North Dakota at 11.9¢.
- What was the average electric bill in March 2026?
- The average U.S. household paid about $141 for electricity in March 2026, using 748 kWh, +8.5% compared with March 2025. The highest average bill was in Maryland ($312).