How much did electricity prices go up in the last year?

The U.S. average residential price went from 17.57¢ per kWh in August 2025 to 18.16¢ in August 2026, a change of +3.4%. Prices rose in 44 of the 50 states plus D.C. and fell in 7.

Which state had the biggest electricity price increase?

Hawaii: from 38.53¢ to 47.18¢ per kWh, +22.5% between August 2025 and August 2026.

Did electricity get cheaper anywhere?

Yes, in 7 states: Massachusetts (−0.2%), Arizona (−0.3%), New Jersey (−0.4%), Florida (−2.2%), Utah (−2.3%), California (−3.8%), Connecticut (−18.8%). The largest drop was in Connecticut.

Why compare August with August?

Electricity prices move with the seasons, so comparing the same month a year apart avoids mistaking a normal summer-versus-winter difference for a real change. One month is a snapshot, not an annual average, and EIA marks the most recent month as a preliminary estimate.

Where electricity got more expensive: every state, August 2025 to August 2026

Last updated October 24, 2026 · Prices: U.S. EIA, August 2025 and August 2026

How these numbers are made Report an error

Home electricity prices rose in 44 of the 50 states plus D.C. and fell in 7. The U.S. average went from 17.57¢ to 18.16¢ per kWh (+3.4%). Hawaii rose most, +22.5%; Connecticut fell most, −18.8%. All figures are the U.S. Energy Information Administration's average residential prices.

Change in home electricity price per kWhThe 10 biggest rises and every state where prices fell, August 2025 to August 2026. Every state is in the table below.

Hawaii+22.5%
Maine+14.1%
New Hampshire+13.1%
District of Columbia+12.1%
Virginia+11.3%
Delaware+11.0%
Michigan+10.9%
Idaho+10.7%
Ohio+10.4%
Iowa+10.2%
U.S. average+3.4%
Massachusetts−0.2%
Arizona−0.3%
New Jersey−0.4%
Florida−2.2%
Utah−2.3%
California−3.8%
Connecticut−18.8%

Residential electricity price by state, August 2025 and August 2026, biggest rise first
State	August 2025	August 2026	Change	% change
Hawaii	38.53¢	47.18¢	+8.65¢	+22.5%
Maine	28.14¢	32.11¢	+3.97¢	+14.1%
New Hampshire	24.44¢	27.64¢	+3.20¢	+13.1%
District of Columbia	23.18¢	25.98¢	+2.80¢	+12.1%
Virginia	15.85¢	17.64¢	+1.79¢	+11.3%
Delaware	16.85¢	18.70¢	+1.85¢	+11.0%
Michigan	20.73¢	22.99¢	+2.26¢	+10.9%
Idaho	12.08¢	13.37¢	+1.29¢	+10.7%
Ohio	17.55¢	19.38¢	+1.83¢	+10.4%
Iowa	15.48¢	17.06¢	+1.58¢	+10.2%
Pennsylvania	19.93¢	21.77¢	+1.84¢	+9.2%
Montana	14.29¢	15.57¢	+1.28¢	+9.0%
South Dakota	13.90¢	15.15¢	+1.25¢	+9.0%
Vermont	22.10¢	23.84¢	+1.74¢	+7.9%
Arkansas	13.33¢	14.37¢	+1.04¢	+7.8%
Maryland	19.89¢	21.40¢	+1.51¢	+7.6%
New York	26.64¢	28.65¢	+2.01¢	+7.5%
Illinois	18.03¢	19.32¢	+1.29¢	+7.2%
Washington	13.65¢	14.63¢	+0.98¢	+7.2%
Rhode Island	26.53¢	28.18¢	+1.65¢	+6.2%
Mississippi	13.61¢	14.43¢	+0.82¢	+6.0%
Colorado	16.21¢	17.17¢	+0.96¢	+5.9%
Alaska	27.79¢	29.41¢	+1.62¢	+5.8%
Nebraska	12.80¢	13.54¢	+0.74¢	+5.8%
Kansas	14.65¢	15.47¢	+0.82¢	+5.6%
Kentucky	13.10¢	13.80¢	+0.70¢	+5.3%
Wisconsin	18.44¢	19.41¢	+0.97¢	+5.3%
Indiana	16.21¢	17.02¢	+0.81¢	+5.0%
Missouri	15.32¢	16.02¢	+0.70¢	+4.6%
West Virginia	15.62¢	16.31¢	+0.69¢	+4.4%
South Carolina	15.16¢	15.76¢	+0.60¢	+4.0%
New Mexico	15.98¢	16.51¢	+0.53¢	+3.3%
Texas	15.40¢	15.91¢	+0.51¢	+3.3%
Oklahoma	14.42¢	14.82¢	+0.40¢	+2.8%
North Dakota	12.97¢	13.31¢	+0.34¢	+2.6%
Louisiana	12.55¢	12.87¢	+0.32¢	+2.5%
North Carolina	14.59¢	14.95¢	+0.36¢	+2.5%
Tennessee	13.09¢	13.42¢	+0.33¢	+2.5%
Georgia	15.55¢	15.90¢	+0.35¢	+2.3%
Minnesota	16.89¢	17.20¢	+0.31¢	+1.8%
Nevada	12.54¢	12.72¢	+0.18¢	+1.4%
Wyoming	14.33¢	14.43¢	+0.10¢	+0.7%
Alabama	16.26¢	16.33¢	+0.07¢	+0.4%
Oregon	15.85¢	15.92¢	+0.07¢	+0.4%
Massachusetts	30.55¢	30.48¢	−0.07¢	−0.2%
Arizona	15.09¢	15.05¢	−0.04¢	−0.3%
New Jersey	24.70¢	24.61¢	−0.09¢	−0.4%
Florida	15.33¢	14.99¢	−0.34¢	−2.2%
Utah	13.62¢	13.31¢	−0.31¢	−2.3%
California	30.92¢	29.75¢	−1.17¢	−3.8%
Connecticut	30.17¢	24.51¢	−5.66¢	−18.8%

Average residential price in cents per kWh. EIA marks the August 2026 values as preliminary estimates.

How to read this

Each row compares the same month a year apart, which takes the seasonal swing out of the comparison. It is one month, not an annual average, and it is a statewide average across utilities and rate plans, so your own bill can move differently. The change column is in cents per kWh; the percentage is relative to the August 2025 price.

What the change means for running costs

Price per kWh is what turns an appliance's power draw into dollars. For every state ranked by today's price, see electricity cost by state. To see what today's prices mean for specific appliances in your state, see what a space heater costs to run and what a window AC costs to run.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did electricity prices go up in the last year?: The U.S. average residential price went from 17.57¢ per kWh in August 2025 to 18.16¢ in August 2026, a change of +3.4%. Prices rose in 44 of the 50 states plus D.C. and fell in 7.
Which state had the biggest electricity price increase?: Hawaii: from 38.53¢ to 47.18¢ per kWh, +22.5% between August 2025 and August 2026.
Did electricity get cheaper anywhere?: Yes, in 7 states: Massachusetts (−0.2%), Arizona (−0.3%), New Jersey (−0.4%), Florida (−2.2%), Utah (−2.3%), California (−3.8%), Connecticut (−18.8%). The largest drop was in Connecticut.
Why compare August with August?: Electricity prices move with the seasons, so comparing the same month a year apart avoids mistaking a normal summer-versus-winter difference for a real change. One month is a snapshot, not an annual average, and EIA marks the most recent month as a preliminary estimate.

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Source

U.S. Energy Information Administration: Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (August 2026 and August 2025, residential)

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