Data · 2024 EIA
Average electric bill by state
The average U.S. household paid about $142 a month for electricity in 2024 — but the real story is why bills differ. A bill is price × usage, so a high bill can come from an expensive rate, heavy usage, or both. Here's where each state we cover lands, and what's driving it.
High bill, two very different causes
Virginia has one of the cheapest rates we track but a high bill — because homes are big and use a lot. New Jersey has one of the most expensive rates but a below-average bill — because usage is low. Same outcome, opposite reasons. Looking at the rate alone, or the bill alone, misses half the picture.
Average bill, by state
| State | Avg bill/mo | Avg use | All-in price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $165.87 | 929 kWh | 17.86¢/kWh |
| West Virginia | $154.76 | 1027 kWh | 15.07¢/kWh |
| Delaware | $150.87 | 911 kWh | 16.57¢/kWh |
| Virginia | $148.77 | 1032 kWh | 14.41¢/kWh |
| Pennsylvania | $145.17 | 817 kWh | 17.77¢/kWh |
| Ohio | $135.16 | 846 kWh | 15.99¢/kWh |
| New Jersey | $128.13 | 662 kWh | 19.34¢/kWh |
| Washington, D.C. | $113.23 | 639 kWh | 17.71¢/kWh |
| Illinois | $109.99 | 693 kWh | 15.87¢/kWh |
| U.S. average | $142.26 | 863 kWh | 16.48¢/kWh |
Source: U.S. EIA — 2024 Average Monthly Bill, Residential (Table 5.A). "All-in" = the whole bill (supply + delivery + fixed charges + taxes), not just the supply rate. Updates annually.
How that compares to the big states
| Region | Avg bill/mo | Avg use | All-in price |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. average | $142.26 | 863 kWh | 16.48¢/kWh |
| Texas | $163.72 | 1096 kWh | 14.94¢/kWh |
| Florida | $156.09 | 1104 kWh | 14.14¢/kWh |
| California | $160.86 | 503 kWh | 31.97¢/kWh |
California shows the pattern at its sharpest: the highest price here (32¢) but the lowest usage (503 kWh). Texas and Florida are the opposite — cheap power, big bills from heavy AC use.
Is your bill high — and can you do anything?
- Estimate your own bill at your utility's real rate.
- Run the free bill audit — check whether a supplier is overcharging you (the one fixable cause).
- See if your rate rose in 2025–26 — the PJM capacity story.
- Can't cover the bill? — assistance and shutoff protections.
Common questions
- What is the average electric bill in the U.S.?
- About $142 a month in 2024, for roughly 863 kWh of use at an all-in average of 16.48¢/kWh (EIA). "All-in" means the whole bill — supply, delivery, fixed charges, and taxes — not just the per-kWh supply rate.
- Why is my electric bill higher than another state with cheaper electricity?
- Because your bill is price × usage. A state with a low per-kWh price but big homes and lots of electric heat or AC (like Virginia or Texas) can have a higher bill than a state with an expensive rate but low usage (like New Jersey or D.C.). Both the price and how much you use matter.
- Is the 'average bill' the same as my rate?
- No. The average monthly bill is the all-in total — generation plus delivery plus fixed charges and taxes. Your per-kWh supply rate (the 'Price to Compare') is only one part of it. That's why comparing rates alone can be misleading.
- How can I tell if my bill is high for my state?
- Compare your monthly kWh and your all-in cost to your state's average below. If your usage is near average but your bill is well above it, your rate may be the issue — and a supplier overcharge is the one piece you can fix quickly.
Figures are EIA 2024 state averages, updated annually. Your own bill depends on your usage, your utility, and your rate. General consumer information, not financial advice. RateWatchdog is independent and takes no supplier commissions.