Are electricity bills on the rise in your state?
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Residential electricity rates are on the rise nationwide, up almost 4% since this time last year. The rise in energy rates translates directly to how much residents pay in monthly electricity bills. Based on the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), residential electric bills in the U.S. increased 3.6% in the last year.
The most recent data from the EIA shows us where energy bills went up from December 2023 to December 2024. Using the average electricity rates by state and typical usage data, we know that energy bills increased the most in Oregon, where monthly power costs rose 12% one year later.
| State | December 2023 Bill | December 2024 Bill | Percent Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $116.52 | $130.47 | 12% |
| New Jersey | $112.21 | $124.54 | 11% |
| Kansas | $112.06 | $122.02 | 8.90% |
| New York | $126.90 | $137.93 | 8.70% |
| West Virginia | $131.63 | $143.07 | 8.70% |
| Massachusetts | $161.77 | $174.52 | 7.90% |
| Illinois | $99.28 | $106.97 | 7.70% |
| Washington | $107.27 | $115.58 | 7.70% |
| Tennessee | $134.30 | $144.61 | 7.70% |
| Kentucky | $122.66 | $132.00 | 7.60% |
While the average energy bill rose nationally, some lucky states experienced a decrease in monthly bills. Rhode Island had the largest decrease, where the average electric bill was 18% cheaper in December 2024 than in December 2023.
| State | December 2023 Bill | December 2024 Bill | Percent Decrease |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $170.96 | $140.22 | -18% |
| Alaska | $139.75 | $129.13 | -7.60% |
| Florida | $168.26 | $157.19 | -6.60% |
| Maine | $156.74 | $147.22 | -6% |
| Montana | $109.82 | $103.63 | -5.60% |
| Idaho | $111.26 | $105.86 | -4.90% |
| New Hampshire | $148.44 | $141.72 | -4.50% |
| Nevada | $135.91 | $130.05 | -4.30% |
| Wisconsin | $109.10 | $107.32 | -1.60% |
| Michigan | $112.76 | $111.01 | -1.60% |
These percentages are accurate at the time of writing. Rates and bill totals are subject to change monthly.
Low electricity rates don’t always correspond to cheap energy bills. In fact, your rate is only half of the equation. To calculate potential energy bill costs, you’ll also need to know your typical monthly usage. You can estimate your typical usage by checking a handful of your past energy bills.
The typical electricity rate and usage varies by state and customer, so it’s important to check your energy bill to find accurate information for your home. Once you have your electric rate and usage, you can estimate future electricity bills and compare them to past bills. Here’s an example of how to calculate your electricity bill using the U.S. averages.
Average electricity rate X Monthly usage / 100
16.26 cents per kWh X 855 kWh / 100 = $139.02 per month
If you have experienced a sudden electric bill increase, you should first check whether your energy usage habits have changed. It’s common for residents to use more electricity during the winter or summer when temperatures are more extreme. Higher energy usage is the most common culprit for more expensive electricity bills.
Other factors can also contribute to the rise in electricity rates, including higher fuel costs, aging or inadequate grid infrastructure, and higher energy demand across the nation. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to limit these factors at an individual level. However, you can offset rising electricity rates by lowering your usage or with the following energy-saving tips:
If you live in a deregulated state, you may also be able to secure lower energy bills by switching to a provider or plan with a cheaper rate. Again, it’s important to know your monthly usage in order to find the best plan for your needs. Enter your ZIP code on this page to explore current electricity rates in your area.