What the average US electricity price measures
The Bureau of Labor Statistics collects electricity bills in urban areas across the country as part of the Consumer Price Index and publishes the average price per kilowatt-hour (kWh), including fees and taxes, for the U.S. city average. The chart shows the monthly figure since late 1978, in current dollars. A typical US home uses roughly 850–900 kWh a month, so a change of one cent per kWh moves a monthly bill by about $9.
How to read this chart
Electricity prices rise in summer, when many utilities charge higher seasonal rates, and ease in winter; the 12-month change is the better trend guide. Over long periods the price has risen roughly in line with overall inflation, with faster gains when fuel costs jumped (2005–2008, 2022) and in recent years as utilities invest in transmission, wildfire protection and capacity for new demand.
The latest reading in context
- At $0.196, the latest reading is above its 5-year average of $0.173 and above its 10-year average of $0.155.
- That is higher than 99% of all monthly readings since November 1978 – near the top of its historical range.
- Direction: unchanged over the past month; up 3.2% over the past six months; up 4.3% over the past year.
- The highest value on record is $0.198 (June 2026, this year); the lowest is $0.046 (November 1978, 48 years ago).
- The full history spans 6 US recessions, shaded grey on the chart.
Why it matters
Electricity is a bill every household pays, and it is becoming more important as cars, heating and industry electrify. Rising power prices also affect where companies build factories and data centers. Because rates are set by state regulators, prices differ widely between states; this chart shows the national average.
What moves the average US electricity price
- Natural gas prices, the largest fuel for power plants
- Investment in transmission lines, grid upgrades and storm or wildfire hardening
- Demand growth from data centers, manufacturing and electrification
- State regulation and renewable energy policies
- Weather, through seasonal rates and fuel costs
Key moments in its history
- Early 1980sRose sharply after the oil shocks and costly nuclear construction.
- 1990sStayed nearly flat in dollar terms.
- 2022Jumped with natural gas prices, the fastest rise in four decades.
- 2025Kept rising as utilities passed on grid investment and data-center-driven demand.
US Electricity Prices data tables
Average by decade
| Decade | Average | High | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s (so far) | $0.164 | $0.198 | $0.133 |
| 2010s | $0.134 | $0.143 | $0.123 |
| 2000s | $0.104 | $0.132 | $0.084 |
| 1990s | $0.090 | $0.099 | $0.081 |
| 1980s | $0.076 | $0.089 | $0.053 |
| 1970s | $0.050 | $0.053 | $0.046 |
Last 12 months
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | $0.196 | +0.0% |
| Aug 2026 | $0.196 | −0.5% |
| Jul 2026 | $0.197 | −0.5% |
| Jun 2026 | $0.198 | +1.0% |
| May 2026 | $0.196 | +1.0% |
| Apr 2026 | $0.194 | +2.1% |
| Mar 2026 | $0.190 | +0.5% |
| Feb 2026 | $0.189 | −1.6% |
| Jan 2026 | $0.192 | +1.6% |
| Dec 2025 | $0.189 | +0.0% |
| Nov 2025 | $0.189 | |
| Oct 2025 | n/a | not published |
Monthly values. Decade figures are averages of the monthly values in each decade. The complete history is available as a CSV file.
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US Electricity Prices: questions and answers
How much does electricity cost per kWh in the US?
The latest national average is shown at the top of this page. Prices range from around 11 cents in some states to over 30 cents in California and Hawaii.
Does this price include delivery charges?
Yes. It is calculated from total bills, so it includes generation, transmission, distribution, fees and taxes.
Why are electricity prices rising?
Grid and transmission upgrades, storm and wildfire costs, natural gas prices and fast-growing demand from data centers and new factories are the main reasons.
Where does the data on this chart come from?
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. ChartWidgets downloads the series (APU000072610) from FRED, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis database, and checks for new releases every day. The last update was on November 1, 2026.