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Average Electric Bill 2026: By State, Home Size & How to Lower It
The average electric bill in the United States is about $160 a month in 2026 — roughly 850 kWh of usage at the national average residential rate of 18.83¢/kWh (U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2026). But the average electric bill swings widely: from under $100 in the cheapest states to more than $230 in Hawaii, and from about $90 for a one-bedroom apartment to well over $185 in a large all-electric Texas home. This guide breaks the average electric bill down by state, by home size, and by what actually drives it — plus how to lower yours.
TL;DR
- US average electric bill: ~$160/month (~850 kWh at 18.83¢/kWh, EIA 2026).
- By state: New Mexico is lowest (~$99); Hawaii highest (~$231). Texas runs high (~$186) on heavy AC use.
- By home size: ~$90–135 for a 1-bedroom apartment; ~$160+ for a house.
- Biggest lever: about half your bill is heating and cooling — and in deregulated states, shopping your rate cuts the price side directly.
What is the average electric bill in the US in 2026?
The average electric bill in the US is about $160 per month in 2026, based on roughly 850 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of monthly usage at the national average residential rate of 18.83¢/kWh (EIA). That number is a blend of every home in the country — tiny apartments and large all-electric houses alike — so most single households land somewhere on either side of it. Electricity prices rose about 10% from 2025, more than three times the rate of inflation, so the average electric bill in 2026 is meaningfully higher than a year ago. The two things that decide where you fall are how much power you use and the price you pay per kWh.
Average electric bill by state
Location is the single biggest factor in the average electric bill, because both rates and usage vary enormously by climate and local energy mix. Here’s how the extremes compare (EIA, 2026):
| State | Avg monthly bill | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | ~$231 | Highest rates in the US (~46¢/kWh), island fuel imports |
| Connecticut | ~$224 | High Northeast rates |
| Maryland | ~$205 | High rates + heavy summer cooling |
| Texas | ~$186 | Moderate rate (~17¢) but very high usage (~1,096 kWh) |
| Colorado | ~$112 | Low usage, mild climate |
| Utah | ~$103 | Low rates and low usage |
| New Mexico | ~$99 | Lowest average bill in the US |
Notice Texas: its rate is only middling, but its average electric bill is one of the highest in the country because homes are large and air conditioning runs hard for months. A high-usage state can have a bigger average electric bill than a high-rate state — usage and price both matter.
Average electric bill by home size
Square footage and the number of people under the roof drive usage, so the average electric bill scales with home size:
| Home type | Typical monthly usage | Average electric bill |
|---|---|---|
| Studio apartment | ~300–500 kWh | ~$55–$95 |
| 1-bedroom apartment | 500–750 kWh | ~$90–$135 |
| 2-bedroom apartment | 650–1,000 kWh | ~$117–$179 |
| Average house (~2,000 sq ft) | ~875 kWh | ~$160+ |
So the common search — “average electric bill for a 1-bedroom apartment” — lands around $90 to $135 a month nationally, and lower in cheap-rate states, higher in Texas or the Northeast. A house typically runs above the national average electric bill because of central AC, water heating, and more occupants.
What drives your electric bill?
Two homes on the same street can have very different bills. The drivers, roughly in order:
- Heating and cooling — about half of a typical bill. Central AC in a hot climate is the single biggest line item.
- Water heating — often the second-largest electric load in an all-electric home.
- Home size and occupancy — more square footage and more people = more kWh.
- Your rate per kWh — set by your utility or, in deregulated states, by the retail plan you chose. This is the part you can shop.
- Appliances and always-on load — older HVAC, electric dryers, pool pumps, and phantom loads add up.
Why is my electric bill so high in 2026?
If your average electric bill jumped, you’re not imagining it. National residential rates climbed about 10% year over year into 2026 — driven by higher fuel and grid costs — while summers keep setting demand records that push wholesale prices up. A bill can also spike from a single hot month (AC runs longer), a rate change on a variable plan, or rolling off a fixed contract onto a pricier default rate. The fix is the same in every case: cut usage where you can, and in a deregulated market, lock a competitive fixed rate.
How to lower your electric bill
You control two levers — usage and price. Both work:
- Attack heating and cooling first. A programmable thermostat, a couple of degrees of setback, and a clean AC filter hit the biggest half of the bill.
- Seal and insulate. Weatherstripping, attic insulation, and blocking duct leaks keep conditioned air in — cheap fixes with fast payback.
- Shift and shed load. Run the dryer and dishwasher off-peak, switch to LED lighting, and unplug always-on electronics.
- Shop your rate if you can. In a deregulated state (Texas and many others), you choose your retail provider — comparing 12-month fixed plans by the price at your usage level can cut the price side of the bill immediately. Many plans need no deposit.
Lower the price side of your bill
If you live in a deregulated state, enter your ZIP to compare electricity plans and lock a low fixed rate in minutes.
Average electric bill: FAQ
What is the average electric bill in the US?
About $160 per month in 2026 — roughly 850 kWh at the national average residential rate of 18.83¢/kWh (EIA). Your bill depends on your state, home size, and how much you use.
What is the average electric bill for a 1-bedroom apartment?
Around $90 to $135 a month nationally, on 500–750 kWh of usage. It’s lower in cheap-rate states and higher in Texas or the Northeast, where rates or cooling demand run higher.
Which state has the highest average electric bill?
Hawaii, at about $231 a month, because of the highest electricity rates in the country. Connecticut and Maryland are next. Texas is also high (~$186) despite a moderate rate, due to heavy air-conditioning use.
Which state has the lowest average electric bill?
New Mexico, at roughly $99 a month, followed by Utah (~$103) and Colorado (~$112) — a mix of lower rates and lower usage in milder climates.
Why is my electric bill so high?
Usually heating and cooling, which is about half a typical bill, combined with a higher rate. Rates rose ~10% into 2026, and a hot month or rolling onto a variable/default plan can spike the average electric bill further.
How much of my bill is heating and cooling?
About half of a typical U.S. home’s electricity use goes to heating and cooling, which is why thermostat settings and insulation have the biggest impact on your bill.
How can I lower my electric bill?
Cut cooling/heating load first (thermostat, insulation, filters), shift big appliances off-peak, and — if you’re in a deregulated state — shop a competitive fixed-rate plan to lower the price per kWh.
Does the average electric bill include gas?
No. These figures are for electricity only. Homes that heat or cook with natural gas have a separate gas bill, and often a lower electric bill because heating isn’t on the electric meter.
Keep going
- Texas electricity rates: compare by city & provider
- What uses the most electricity in your home?
- Cheapest electricity in Texas: how to find it
- Green energy plans: how renewable electricity works
- Houston · Dallas · Austin electricity rates
- No-deposit electricity in Texas: best light companies
- How to switch electricity providers in Texas
- Deregulated energy: which states let you choose
Reviewed by the Utility Search Marketplace team. Methodology: bill and usage figures are national averages from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026); home-size ranges reflect typical apartment and single-family usage. Your actual bill varies by state, climate, and rate plan. Last updated July 2026.
