U.S.: Retail Price of Electricity, by state
StatePrice,
in U.S. cents per kWh
HawaiiHawaii42.69
Rhode IslandRhode Island31.78
MaineMaine29.13
ConnecticutConnecticut28.95
MassachusettsMassachusetts28.02
CaliforniaCalifornia26.72
New HampshireNew Hampshire25.76
AlaskaAlaska23.98
New YorkNew York22.70
VermontVermont22.11
MichiganMichigan19.06
PennsylvaniaPennsylvania18.43
MarylandMaryland18.40
District of ColumbiaDistrict of Columbia18.02
New JerseyNew Jersey17.51
DelawareDelaware17.46
WisconsinWisconsin17.05
OhioOhio16.01
IllinoisIllinois15.83
FloridaFlorida15.48
MinnesotaMinnesota15.29
IndianaIndiana15.17
West VirginiaWest Virginia15.07
AlabamaAlabama15.02
North CarolinaNorth Carolina14.75
TexasTexas14.71
NevadaNevada14.63
ColoradoColorado14.54
ArizonaArizona14.52
New MexicoNew Mexico14.50
South CarolinaSouth Carolina14.47
VirginiaVirginia14.27
GeorgiaGeorgia13.75
KansasKansas13.72
MississippiMississippi13.67
IowaIowa13.37
OklahomaOklahoma13.27
OregonOregon13.24
KentuckyKentucky12.99
South DakotaSouth Dakota12.99
MontanaMontana12.96
ArkansasArkansas12.71
TennesseeTennessee12.57
WyomingWyoming12.47
MissouriMissouri12.42
IdahoIdaho12.15
LouisianaLouisiana11.92
NebraskaNebraska11.76
North DakotaNorth Dakota11.66
WashingtonWashington11.34
UtahUtah11.22
  • Region: United States
  • Time period: Sep 2023
  • Published: Feb 2024

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Apr 7, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Hawaii has the highest electricity price

Hawaii stands out with the highest residential retail price of electricity at 42.69 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour, significantly surpassing other states. This distinction emphasizes the substantial cost challenges faced by residents in accessing electricity compared to the rest of the United States.

Top five states with the highest electricity prices

The states of Hawaii, Rhode Island, Maine, Connecticut, and Massachusetts lead with the highest electricity prices, all above 28 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour. These figures highlight the regional variations in electricity costs, with northeastern states prominently featuring in the top tier.

Utah reports the lowest electricity price

Utah enjoys the lowest residential retail price of electricity at only 11.22 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour. This cost advantage offers a significant economic benefit to Utah residents compared to those living in states with higher electricity prices.

Electricity prices span a wide range across states

The data reveals a wide span in residential electricity prices across the U.S., ranging from 11.22 to 42.69 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour. This variation underscores the diverse energy landscapes and policies affecting electricity costs in different states.

Northeastern and Pacific states dominate higher price brackets

Northeastern states such as Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, along with Pacific states like Hawaii and California, are predominantly found in the higher electricity price brackets. This trend suggests regional factors, such as energy sources and state policies, significantly influence electricity pricing.

The median electricity price falls below 15 cents per kilowatt-hour

With a median price close to 14.50 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour, observed in New Mexico, it is evident that more than half of the states have electricity prices below this median value. This median value serves as a benchmark for comparing the relative costliness of electricity across states.

Southern and Midwestern states generally have lower prices

States located in the Southern and Midwestern regions, including Louisiana, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, typically feature among those with lower electricity prices, all below 14 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour. These lower prices reflect the different economic and natural resource landscapes contributing to regional electricity costs.

Variation in electricity prices indicates diverse energy strategies

The significant variation in electricity prices from 11.22 to 42.69 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour underscores the impact of diverse energy generation strategies, regulatory environments, and access to natural resources across the states. This diversity highlights the complexity of the U.S. energy market and the challenges in harmonizing energy costs nationwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which state has the highest residential retail price of electricity?

Hawaii has the highest residential retail price of electricity at 42.69 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour.

Which states have the highest electricity prices?

The states with the highest electricity prices are Hawaii, Rhode Island, Maine, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, all with prices above 28 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour.

Which state has the lowest residential retail price of electricity?

The state with the lowest residential retail price is Utah, with a price of only 11.22 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour.

What is the median price of electricity in the U.S?

The median price of electricity in the U.S. is close to 14.50 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour, as observed in New Mexico.

Terms and Definitions

The residential retail price of electricity refers to the cost that residential households pay for each kilowatt-hour (KWh) of energy consumed. It's a retail price because it includes not only the cost of generating electricity but also the costs related to transmission, distribution, and various taxes and fees imposed by government authorities or regulatory agencies.

A kilowatt-hour (KWh) is a unit of energy equivalent to one kilowatt (1 KW) of power expended for one hour of time. The kilowatt-hour is not a standard unit of energy in the International System of Units. However, it is commonly used by electrical distribution providers and is mentioned on electrical bills to measure and charge for personal or household energy consumption.

Electricity generation is the process of creating electrical power from primary energy sources, such as coal, natural gas, nuclear, solar, wind, and hydropower. These energy sources are converted into electricity using generators or turbine engines.

Electricity transmission is the process of moving high-voltage electricity from power plants to distribution substations before it reaches consumers. The transmission lines are an integral part of the electric power system and enable the flow of electrical energy from a power station to the different residential, commercial, and industrial areas.

Electricity distribution involves the delivery of electricity from the high-voltage transmission system to the consumers. The distribution network includes transformers, which reduce the high voltage to a lower voltage suitable for residential or commercial use, and the series of wires and poles connecting homes and businesses to the power grid.

Regulatory authorities are government entities or agencies responsible for enforcing regulations and rules in different sectors, including electricity. They may influence electricity prices by setting standards, determining tariffs, supervising market competition, and ensuring the reliability and safety of the power supply.

Energy consumption is the amount of energy or power used. In the case of the residential retail price of electricity, it refers to the amount of electric energy used by households. It is typically measured and billed in kilowatt-hours.

The power grid, also known as the electricity grid, is a network of transmission lines, substations, transformers, and more that deliver electricity from the power plant to homes and businesses. This interconnected network ensures that electricity is reliably supplied where and when it's needed.

Electricity tariffs are the structured pricing schemes that electricity providers use to charge customers for their energy use. Tariffs usually include the costs for generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity, along with taxes, fees, and any additional charges set by regulatory authorities or governments.
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