For many Americans, electricity is becoming an increasingly important cost-of-living expense.

The map above shows average residential electricity prices by state in March 2026, based on data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Notably, consumers in Hawaii paid 42¢ per kWh, while residents of North Dakota paid just 12¢. The gap illustrates how geography, fuel availability, and energy infrastructure can have a major impact on monthly living costs.

Electricity Prices by State in 2026

The table below shows the average residential cost of electricity by state, alongside the annual change in price.

Hawaii and California Stand Out

Hawaii has the highest residential electricity prices in the country, with consumers paying roughly 42¢ per kWh, while California follows at 33¢.

California’s position is particularly notable. Despite being a leader in renewable power generation, consumers face some of the nation’s highest electricity costs due to transmission investments, wildfire mitigation spending, and other grid-related expenses.

At the other end of the ranking, North Dakota’s 12¢ rate is the lowest nationwide. Several Mountain West and Plains states, including Idaho, Utah, Nebraska, Iowa, and Montana, also rank among the cheapest places to power a home.

The difference can add up quickly. For households using the U.S. average of 900 kWh of electricity per month, that costs about $378 in Hawaii versus $108 in North Dakota, based on average residential rates.

Over a decade, that gap would amount to roughly $32,000 in additional electricity costs.

Why the Northeast Pays So Much More

The Northeast dominates the list of America’s highest-cost electricity markets.

Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, and New York all rank among the nation’s most expensive states for residential power.

Unlike regions with abundant local coal, hydroelectric, or natural gas resources, many Northeastern states rely more heavily on imported fuel and constrained energy delivery networks. Those factors can make electricity more expensive, particularly during periods of strong demand.

Utilities across the region have also invested heavily in maintaining and modernizing aging infrastructure, with costs ultimately reflected in consumer bills.

As a result, households across much of the Northeast pay some of America’s highest electricity rates despite generally consuming less electricity than many Southern states.

Where Electricity Prices Rose the Fastest

According to EIA data, 18 states recorded double-digit electricity price increases over the past year.

Washington, D.C. experienced one of the largest increases, with residential electricity prices jumping more than 22% year over year. Other states with the fastest increases included New Jersey and New Hampshire, each with 18% price spikes.

The surge comes as utilities across the country invest billions of dollars in new generation capacity, transmission lines, and grid upgrades. Rising electricity demand is also beginning to put additional pressure on power systems after decades of relatively modest growth.

For many households, utility bills are rising faster than inflation, making electricity an increasingly important component of overall living costs alongside housing, insurance, and healthcare.

The Next Challenge: AI’s Growing

Appetite for Power

The regional differences shown on this map may become even more important in the years ahead. Utilities across the country are preparing for one of the largest increases in electricity demand in decades, driven by AI data centers, manufacturing investment, and broader electrification trends.

According to industry forecasts, data centers could account for up to 17% of total U.S. power consumption by 2030, up from roughly 5% today.

States attracting large concentrations of AI infrastructure, including Virginia, Texas, and Arizona, are already investing heavily in new generation capacity and grid upgrades to meet future demand.

For households, electricity is becoming less of a fixed utility expense and more of a regional cost-of-living factor. As AI infrastructure, electrification, and grid investment accelerate, where Americans live could increasingly determine how much they pay to keep the lights on.