The short answer
The average U.S. home uses about 870 kWh of electricity a month, which costs about $159.30 at the average rate of 18.31¢ per kWh (July 2026). A home with gas heat and gas hot water, running only lighting, kitchen and laundry appliances and electronics, uses closer to 250 kWh, about $44.96. Heating, cooling and an electric water heater make up most of the difference.
Your bill in every state
Your 246 kWh a month at each state's average rate, next to the average home's bill there (July 2026).
| Alabama | $40.27 | $184.50 | 16.40¢ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $70.79 | $169.23 | 28.83¢ |
| Arizona | $37.77 | $161.80 | 15.38¢ |
| Arkansas | $35.19 | $150.18 | 14.33¢ |
| California | $82.53 | $163.68 | 33.61¢ |
| Colorado | $41.74 | $116.28 | 17.00¢ |
| Connecticut | $59.32 | $168.88 | 24.16¢ |
| Delaware | $45.38 | $171.68 | 18.48¢ |
| District of Columbia | $61.90 | $158.82 | 25.21¢ |
| Florida | $36.91 | $165.18 | 15.03¢ |
| Georgia | $39.95 | $173.93 | 16.27¢ |
| Hawaii | $117.86 | $246.72 | 48.00¢ |
| Idaho | $33.71 | $124.12 | 13.73¢ |
| Illinois | $47.19 | $134.54 | 19.22¢ |
| Indiana | $41.08 | $156.43 | 16.73¢ |
| Iowa | $39.26 | $136.87 | 15.99¢ |
| Kansas | $37.50 | $133.61 | 15.27¢ |
| Kentucky | $33.91 | $152.88 | 13.81¢ |
| Louisiana | $31.23 | $152.64 | 12.72¢ |
| Maine | $79.58 | $172.42 | 32.41¢ |
| Maryland | $52.57 | $202.32 | 21.41¢ |
| Massachusetts | $74.87 | $182.33 | 30.49¢ |
| Michigan | $56.60 | $145.22 | 23.05¢ |
| Minnesota | $42.85 | $129.48 | 17.45¢ |
| Mississippi | $35.70 | $168.66 | 14.54¢ |
| Missouri | $39.51 | $167.50 | 16.09¢ |
| Montana | $36.81 | $124.27 | 14.99¢ |
| Nebraska | $33.84 | $131.46 | 13.78¢ |
| Nevada | $31.36 | $114.16 | 12.77¢ |
| New Hampshire | $65.32 | $170.51 | 26.60¢ |
| New Jersey | $61.85 | $167.26 | 25.19¢ |
| New Mexico | $39.51 | $105.71 | 16.09¢ |
| New York | $73.42 | $175.51 | 29.90¢ |
| North Carolina | $37.23 | $156.00 | 15.16¢ |
| North Dakota | $32.93 | $144.16 | 13.41¢ |
| Ohio | $47.76 | $168.44 | 19.45¢ |
| Oklahoma | $35.24 | $150.96 | 14.35¢ |
| Oregon | $39.21 | $135.59 | 15.97¢ |
| Pennsylvania | $53.33 | $182.45 | 21.72¢ |
| Rhode Island | $69.47 | $158.42 | 28.29¢ |
| South Carolina | $37.99 | $163.52 | 15.47¢ |
| South Dakota | $37.74 | $151.55 | 15.37¢ |
| Tennessee | $33.66 | $164.25 | 13.71¢ |
| Texas | $38.99 | $175.16 | 15.88¢ |
| Utah | $32.22 | $102.07 | 13.12¢ |
| Vermont | $58.32 | $140.36 | 23.75¢ |
| Virginia | $43.09 | $184.45 | 17.55¢ |
| Washington | $36.12 | $137.10 | 14.71¢ |
| West Virginia | $38.75 | $166.16 | 15.78¢ |
| Wisconsin | $46.80 | $126.56 | 19.06¢ |
| Wyoming | $35.26 | $117.32 | 14.36¢ |
Average bill = the state's average monthly use over the last 12 months × its latest rate.
How it works
The formula
bill = total kWh × rate
Assumptions
- Wattages are typical figures from U.S. Department of Energy and ENERGY STAR data. Your models may use more or less.
- Hours are an average over the month: a dryer at half an hour a day is about 3 to 4 loads a week. For AC and heating, enter the hours the system actually runs.
- "Standby and small devices" covers chargers, clocks and anything always plugged in, about 30 W around the clock.
- The state rate already spreads delivery charges and fees over every kWh. Your utility's fixed charge, tiers and taxes can make your bill different.
Worked example: the starting list
The appliances ticked by default, at 18.31¢ per kWh
- Electric clothes dryer: 45 kWh, $8.24
- Refrigerator: 36 kWh, $6.59
- Electric oven: 36 kWh, $6.59
- All ticked items: 245.5 kWh × $0.1831 = $44.96 a month
Ways to cut the cost
- Find the big one. The top line in your list is where savings are. One appliance is often a third of the bill.
- Heating and cooling first. A degree or two on the thermostat and a filter change beat any small-appliance change.
- Retire the second fridge. An old fridge in the garage can use more than a new one in the kitchen.
- Air-dry some loads. The dryer is often the biggest appliance after heating, cooling and the fridge.
- Compare with your bill. Divide your bill's total by its kWh to find your real rate, and type it in.
Questions people ask
What is the average electric bill in the U.S.?
About $159.30 a month: the average home uses 870 kWh a month (EIA, 12-month average) at the average rate of 18.31¢ per kWh (July 2026). It ranges from about $102.07 in Utah to $246.72 in Hawaii.
Why is my electric bill so high?
Usually heating, cooling or hot water. A central AC running 6 hours a day uses about 630 kWh a month, and an electric water heater about 405 kWh, together more than everything else in a typical home. Space heaters, a pool pump, a hot tub, an old second fridge and a rate increase are the other usual causes.
How do I estimate my electric bill?
For each appliance, multiply its watts by the hours a day it runs and by 30 days, divide by 1,000 to get kWh, and add them up. Multiply the total kWh by your rate. This calculator does it with typical wattages you can change.
What uses the most electricity in a home?
Heating and cooling, then water heating, then the refrigerator, dryer and lighting. In homes with gas heat and gas hot water, the fridge, dryer and electronics are usually the biggest electric users.
Why is my estimate lower than my bill?
Most bills include a fixed monthly customer charge, taxes and sometimes higher rates for usage above a tier. The EIA average rate already spreads fixed charges over all kWh, but your utility may charge more. Heating, cooling and hot water are also easy to underestimate.