State ranking · 2025
The most expensive states for electricity
Every state ranked from the highest average residential rate, with the fuel, delivery, and policy pressures behind each one.
- 40.59¢/kWh
- Priciest · Hawaii
- 17.30¢/kWh
- US average
- 3.4×
- Priciest vs cheapest
Hawaii has the most expensive residential electricity at 40.59¢/kWh
In the U.S. Energy Information Administration's 2025 annual-frequency retail-sales series, Hawaii has the highest residential average revenue per kWh at 40.59¢/kWh, above the 17.30¢/kWh national average, about 3.4× the lowest state average.
- 17.30¢/kWh US residential average
- 11.81¢/kWh cheapest - North Dakota
The verdict
Hawaii posts the highest residential average at 40.59¢/kWh - above the 17.30¢/kWh U.S. average, about 3.4× North Dakota's rate.
- 40.59¢/kWh
- priciest · Hawaii
- 17.30¢/kWh
- US residential average
- 11.81¢/kWh
- cheapest · North Dakota
- 3.4×
- priciest vs cheapest
Residential average revenue per kWh, EIA retail-sales API (2025, annual frequency).
The 2025 ranking below sorts the fifteen highest statewide residential averages in the annual EIA retail-sales API annual-frequency period. It is a comparable benchmark, not a live utility quote or a causal account of a state's average. Each result links to its full state profile; see our methodology for details.
The bar to make this top-12 expensive list
Distribution of statewide residential rates (¢/kWh)
21.94¢/kWh Highest in the set Higher than 76% of 50 other states
all states and DC, equal-width bands
Each bar spans 1¢/kWh. Taller bars contain more states; the dashed marker locates this state. Hover, focus or tap a bar for its exact count and share.
Source EIA retail-sales API · 2025
Reading the top of the ranking
The top state can sit far above the rest, but that gap alone does not identify its cause. The EIA rate series records the reported statewide average, not a breakdown of fuel, delivery, policy, or utility-specific costs. Compare the state profile's rate and trend data with a current local tariff before making a household or business decision.
What the rate does and does not measure
The figure is an average residential price per kilowatt-hour. It is not a household bill, and it does not separate delivery, fuel, taxes, or fixed charges. A household's bill also depends on usage and its specific utility plan. The state profile presents related reported data without treating it as a causal breakdown.
What high-cost states should do with this ranking
A high state average is a starting point, not a household recommendation. Pair it with the multi-year trend on each state's profile, then check a current utility tariff, fixed charges, and expected usage before evaluating efficiency work or a move.
| # | State | Avg residential rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HawaiiStatewide annual residential average, not a utility quote. | 40.59¢/kWh |
| 2 | CaliforniaStatewide annual residential average, not a utility quote. | 32.54¢/kWh |
| 3 | MassachusettsStatewide annual residential average, not a utility quote. | 30.48¢/kWh |
| 4 | Rhode IslandStatewide annual residential average, not a utility quote. | 29.46¢/kWh |
| 5 | ConnecticutStatewide annual residential average, not a utility quote. | 29.38¢/kWh |
| 6 | MaineStatewide annual residential average, not a utility quote. | 27.78¢/kWh |
| 7 | New YorkStatewide annual residential average, not a utility quote. | 26.39¢/kWh |
| 8 | AlaskaStatewide annual residential average, not a utility quote. | 26.09¢/kWh |
| 9 | New HampshireStatewide annual residential average, not a utility quote. | 24.56¢/kWh |
| 10 | VermontStatewide annual residential average, not a utility quote. | 22.92¢/kWh |
| 11 | New JerseyStatewide annual residential average, not a utility quote. | 22.63¢/kWh |
| 12 | District of ColumbiaStatewide annual residential average, not a utility quote. | 21.94¢/kWh |
| 13 | MichiganStatewide annual residential average, not a utility quote. | 20.01¢/kWh |
| 14 | MarylandStatewide annual residential average, not a utility quote. | 19.48¢/kWh |
| 15 | PennsylvaniaStatewide annual residential average, not a utility quote. | 19.30¢/kWh |
How these rates changed year-over-year
Among the fifteen most expensive states, rates moved unevenly between 2024 and 2025. District of Columbia saw the largest increase at +36.9% (+3.98¢/kWh). Hawaii had the largest decline at 7.8% (−2.67¢/kWh).
| State | 2024 rate | 2025 rate | Change | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 38.18¢/kWh | 36.37¢/kWh | -1.81¢ | -4.7% |
| California | 25.54¢/kWh | 26.36¢/kWh | +0.82¢ | +3.2% |
| Massachusetts | 20.90¢/kWh | 23.08¢/kWh | +2.18¢ | +10.4% |
| Rhode Island | 21.09¢/kWh | 23.46¢/kWh | +2.37¢ | +11.2% |
| Connecticut | 21.21¢/kWh | 23.11¢/kWh | +1.90¢ | +9.0% |
| Maine | 18.22¢/kWh | 20.96¢/kWh | +2.74¢ | +15.0% |
| New York | 18.77¢/kWh | 21.07¢/kWh | +2.30¢ | +12.3% |
| Alaska | 21.57¢/kWh | 22.32¢/kWh | +0.75¢ | +3.5% |
| New Hampshire | 19.40¢/kWh | 20.16¢/kWh | +0.76¢ | +3.9% |
| Vermont | 18.89¢/kWh | 19.92¢/kWh | +1.03¢ | +5.5% |
| New Jersey | 14.64¢/kWh | 16.63¢/kWh | +1.99¢ | +13.6% |
| District of Columbia | 17.07¢/kWh | 20.41¢/kWh | +3.34¢ | +19.6% |
| Michigan | 14.01¢/kWh | 14.48¢/kWh | +0.47¢ | +3.4% |
| Maryland | 12.96¢/kWh | 14.74¢/kWh | +1.78¢ | +13.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 11.03¢/kWh | 12.44¢/kWh | +1.41¢ | +12.8% |
Change calculated from EIA annual-frequency residential average revenue per kWh. A rate increase in an already-expensive state widens the gap to the national average; a decrease narrows it.
Residential vs. commercial and industrial rates
Even in the most expensive states, residential rates are typically the highest of the three main sectors. Among the five priciest residential states, industrial rates run 22% lower on average, reflecting higher consumption volumes and different tariff structures. The same EIA series covers all three sectors.
| State | Residential | Commercial | Industrial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 40.59¢/kWh | 36.37¢/kWh | 31.46¢/kWh |
| California | 32.54¢/kWh | 26.36¢/kWh | 21.62¢/kWh |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢/kWh | 23.08¢/kWh | 19.35¢/kWh |
| Rhode Island | 29.46¢/kWh | 23.46¢/kWh | 21.74¢/kWh |
| Connecticut | 29.38¢/kWh | 23.11¢/kWh | 18.35¢/kWh |
All figures are EIA 2025 annual-frequency average revenue per kWh. A lower commercial or industrial rate does not mean the sector pays less in total; large consumers may pay less per unit but more overall.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the most expensive electricity?
Hawaii has the highest annual average residential rate at 40.59¢/kWh, roughly 3.4 times the cheapest state. This ranking reports the EIA statewide average; it does not establish why that rate is higher.
Why is electricity so expensive in these states?
This annual state-average ranking cannot determine the cause of a rate. Utility tariffs, delivery systems, fuel contracts, customer mix, and regulation can all contribute. Use the ranking to compare the reported figures, then consult a utility or regulator for a current local explanation.
Can I lower my bill in a high-cost state?
Yes. The single biggest lever is consumption, because a high rate multiplies every kilowatt-hour you avoid. Efficiency upgrades, smart thermostats, and shifting load away from peak hours all pay back faster where rates are high. In states with retail choice you may also be able to shop suppliers, though savings vary. Your state profile shows how your rate compares and where the trend is heading.
Act on the ranking
A high state average is a starting point, not your bill.
- Open Hawaii's profile for its rate, trend, and generation mix. All states
- See the cheapest states for the full spread. Cheapest states
- Estimate your own monthly bill from your kWh usage. Cost calculator
Rates are EIA state averages; your utility, plan, and usage set your actual bill.
Every figure on RateWatt is rendered directly from official U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data, no number is typed in by an editor. This ranking is computed live from the EIA's most recent published state price data. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2025.