Free tool · 2024 EIA rates
Electricity cost calculator
Enter your monthly usage and state to estimate your bill, compare it against the US average, and see what you'd save in the cheapest state.
- 16.48¢
- US average rate
- 51
- States covered
- DOE EIA
- Data source
Estimated Monthly Bill
$0.00
vs National Average
$0.00
Your rate vs other states
Potential Annual Savings
If you moved to the cheapest state ()
Based on latest residential electricity rates from DOE EIA data. Actual bills vary by utility, rate structure, and usage pattern.
US average electricity rate by sector (2024)
Average revenue per kWh, in cents — the calculator uses residential rates.
- Residential
Residential
16.48
- Commercial
Commercial
12.75
- Industrial
Industrial
8.13
What this shows Households pay the most per kWh — about double the industrial rate — so the residential figure above is the right benchmark for a home electricity bill.
Understanding Your Electricity Cost
Your electricity bill depends primarily on two factors: how much energy you consume (measured in kilowatt-hours, kWh) and the rate your utility charges per kWh. Rates vary significantly by state, from around 11-12 ¢/kWh in low-cost states like North Dakota, Idaho, and Washington to over 40 ¢/kWh in Hawaii, because of differences in energy sources, infrastructure costs, regulation, and climate.
The national average residential electricity rate is approximately 16.48 ¢/kWh based on current DOE EIA data. A household using the national average of 886 kWh/month would pay about $146.01/month. Use the state rankings to see how your state compares.
How to Lower Your Electricity Bill
Check your rate structure. Some utilities offer time-of-use rates where electricity is cheaper during off-peak hours. Shifting high-consumption activities (laundry, dishwasher, EV charging) to those periods can reduce your bill without changing total usage. Check your utility's website for rate plan options.
Reduce consumption. The biggest electricity consumers in most homes are HVAC systems, water heaters, and large appliances. Upgrading to Energy Star appliances, improving insulation, and using LED lighting can cut usage by 15-30%. Our electricity guides cover specific strategies.
Consider renewable energy. Solar panels can eliminate or significantly reduce your electricity bill, especially in states with high electricity rates. The payback period varies by state, our per-state energy data shows where solar makes the most financial sense.
State Rate Data
RateWatt uses retail electricity sales data from the DOE Energy Information Administration (EIA) covering all 50 states and Washington DC. Rates are updated from the EIA API (form EIA-861M) and reflect residential sector prices. The methodology page explains how data is collected, validated, and processed.
Turn the estimate into a decision
Your bill is rate × usage + fixed fees — change any one and the number moves.
- See how your state ranks against all 50 states + DC. Rankings
- Open your state’s full rate, trend, and generation profile. All states
- Learn what each line item on your bill actually means. Rate guide
Estimates use EIA state-average rates — your utility, plan, and usage set your actual bill.