Monthly reports / May 2026
Monthly report · residential electricity
Electricity prices in May 2026
The average U.S. home paid 18.4¢ per kWh in May 2026, +6.2% compared with May 2025. Rates rose in 45 of 50 states and D.C. The biggest jump was in Illinois (+28.4%), while Connecticut fell the most (-13.4%).
U.S. average rate
18.4¢/kWh
+6.2% vs May 2025
Average bill
$136/mo
+7.1% vs May 2025
Average use
736kWh
Per household, May 2026
States with higher rates
45of 51
Including D.C.
Biggest rate increases from a year earlier
Illinois+28.4%
Hawaii+26.7%
District of Columbia+24.3%
Virginia+15.4%
Maryland+14.6%
Ohio+14.2%
Montana+13.9%
New Hampshire+13.8%
New Jersey+13.6%
New York+12.1%
Where rates fell
Most expensive
Highest average bills in May 2026
Average bill = residential revenue ÷ customers for the month. High bills come from heavy use as well as high rates.
All states, May 2026
| State | Rate | vs May 2025 | Avg bill | Avg use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.8¢ | +3.8% | $160 | 956 kWh |
| Alaska | 28.2¢ | +8.2% | $142 | 505 kWh |
| Arizona | 15.2¢ | -3.1% | $161 | 1,055 kWh |
| Arkansas | 14.4¢ | +8.9% | $114 | 796 kWh |
| California | 33.3¢ | -0.1% | $136 | 408 kWh |
| Colorado | 16.2¢ | +3.7% | $97 | 600 kWh |
| Connecticut | 27.4¢ | -13.4% | $146 | 534 kWh |
| Delaware | 19.4¢ | +6.9% | $136 | 702 kWh |
| District of Columbia | 25.4¢ | +24.3% | $128 | 502 kWh |
| Florida | 15.2¢ | +1.3% | $169 | 1,114 kWh |
| Georgia | 15.8¢ | +5.7% | $149 | 942 kWh |
| Hawaii | 52.0¢ | +26.7% | $250 | 480 kWh |
| Idaho | 12.3¢ | +4.0% | $92 | 746 kWh |
| Illinois | 23.9¢ | +28.4% | $123 | 514 kWh |
| Indiana | 18.1¢ | +7.4% | $129 | 713 kWh |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | -0.1% | $98 | 694 kWh |
| Kansas | 15.1¢ | +2.7% | $116 | 764 kWh |
| Kentucky | 15.0¢ | +8.2% | $128 | 854 kWh |
| Louisiana | 14.2¢ | +6.7% | $144 | 1,017 kWh |
| Maine | 28.6¢ | +2.6% | $144 | 504 kWh |
| Maryland | 21.8¢ | +14.6% | $158 | 727 kWh |
| Massachusetts | 28.8¢ | -3.6% | $137 | 474 kWh |
| Michigan | 22.0¢ | +8.8% | $115 | 524 kWh |
| Minnesota | 16.9¢ | +7.0% | $106 | 626 kWh |
| Mississippi | 16.2¢ | +8.9% | $152 | 939 kWh |
| Missouri | 13.7¢ | +5.1% | $111 | 814 kWh |
| Montana | 14.7¢ | +13.9% | $102 | 693 kWh |
| Nebraska | 13.6¢ | +3.3% | $107 | 790 kWh |
| Nevada | 13.6¢ | +2.3% | $119 | 878 kWh |
| New Hampshire | 27.3¢ | +13.8% | $136 | 498 kWh |
| New Jersey | 23.3¢ | +13.6% | $127 | 546 kWh |
| New Mexico | 14.1¢ | -2.6% | $82 | 583 kWh |
| New York | 29.9¢ | +12.1% | $134 | 448 kWh |
| North Carolina | 15.1¢ | +5.4% | $130 | 864 kWh |
| North Dakota | 13.6¢ | +3.9% | $117 | 861 kWh |
| Ohio | 19.5¢ | +14.2% | $132 | 675 kWh |
| Oklahoma | 13.4¢ | +3.4% | $120 | 896 kWh |
| Oregon | 16.3¢ | +2.3% | $110 | 678 kWh |
| Pennsylvania | 21.6¢ | +11.7% | $134 | 624 kWh |
| Rhode Island | 29.5¢ | +1.6% | $148 | 503 kWh |
| South Carolina | 16.2¢ | +5.0% | $148 | 915 kWh |
| South Dakota | 15.7¢ | +9.8% | $127 | 805 kWh |
| Tennessee | 14.5¢ | +5.4% | $130 | 896 kWh |
| Texas | 16.4¢ | +5.9% | $163 | 994 kWh |
| Utah | 13.0¢ | +2.9% | $87 | 674 kWh |
| Vermont | 24.9¢ | +4.8% | $120 | 482 kWh |
| Virginia | 17.6¢ | +15.4% | $146 | 829 kWh |
| Washington | 14.9¢ | +9.5% | $113 | 756 kWh |
| West Virginia | 16.8¢ | +3.8% | $125 | 742 kWh |
| Wisconsin | 19.7¢ | +4.2% | $109 | 553 kWh |
| Wyoming | 14.8¢ | +7.1% | $105 | 709 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 May 2026?
- The U.S. average residential electricity rate was 18.4¢ per kWh in May 2026, +6.2% compared with May 2025. Rates rose in 45 of 50 states and D.C. and fell in 6. The largest increase was in Illinois (+28.4%). Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.
- Which state had the most expensive electricity in May 2026?
- Hawaii had the highest average residential rate at 52.0¢ per kWh, followed by California and New York. The cheapest was Idaho at 12.3¢.
- What was the average electric bill in May 2026?
- The average U.S. household paid about $136 for electricity in May 2026, using 736 kWh, +7.1% compared with May 2025. The highest average bill was in Hawaii ($250).