How Much Does the Average Electric Bill Cost?

When you’re budgeting out your housing expenses, there’s more to consider than just your monthly rent or mortgage payment. You’ll need to factor in utility costs too—and that includes your electric bill. Although the cost of the average electric bill does vary from state to state, knowing the general scope of what you can expect to pay can help you set your budget and figure out what you can afford. It can also help you avoid any unwanted surprises when you get your first bill.

The average American family spends at least $2,200 a year on home utility bills, which include electric, water, and gas, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. That’s nearly $185 a month that needs to be set aside for utilities, though depending on your usage it could be even higher. (Alternately, there are quite a few ways to save on utilities and keep your costs down, especially when it comes to your electric bill—more on those at the end of this article.)

So what should you anticipate spending on electric? Below, we’ve broken down what you need to know about the average electric bill, including the average cost per region and per state. We’ve also shared a few smart tips for maximizing energy efficiency in your home so that you can reduce both your environmental footprint and your monthly electric bill. Sounds like a win to us, so let’s get to it.

What is the Cost of the Average Electric Bill?

The average electric bill in the United States is $117.65 per month, according to recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

There are two major factors that determine the amount you spend on your electricity bill:

The amount of electricity that you use

The cost of electricity in your area

Average Electric Bill by State and Region

In addition to providing a national average, the EIA also provides information on how average electricity bills break down by state and region. Here’s how various areas compare.

Region/State – Average Electric Bill Per Month

New England – $129.49
Connecticut – $153.46
Maine – $96.33
Massachusetts – $131.20
New Hampshire – $122.27
Rhode Island – $121.05
Vermont – $100.83

Middle Atlantic – $113.39
New Jersey – $106.28
New York – $111.93
Pennsylvania – $120.04

East North Central – $106.03
Illinois – $94.98
Indiana – $123.39
Michigan – $103.59
Ohio – $114.08
Wisconsin – $97.09

West North Central – $115.68
Iowa – $109.27
Kansas – $124.68
Minnesota – $103.34
Missouri – $126.79
Nebraska – $109.27
North Dakota – $114.60
South Dakota – $121.16

South Atlantic – $130.51
Delaware – $122.43
District of Columbia – $101.01
Florida – $128.10
Georgia – $131.05
Maryland – $133.68
North Carolina – $125.17
South Carolina – $144.20
Virginia – $136.59
West Virginia – $126.70

East South Central – $137.80
Alabama – $150.54
Kentucky – $123.57
Mississippi – $138.63
Tennessee – $137.35

West South Central – $127.42
Arkansas – $113.36
Louisiana – $122.86
Oklahoma – $117.28
Texas – $131.63

Mountain – $101.55
Arizona – $131.31
Colorado – $83.90
Idaho – $95.84
Montana – $93.19
Nevada – $112.18
New Mexico – $81.08
Utah – $77.25
Wyoming – $94.90

Pacific Contiguous – $100.93
California – $102.90
Oregon – $99.00
Washington – $93.34

Pacific Noncontiguous – $151.22
Alaska – $125.57
Hawaii – $168.13

Looking at the above data, you can see that the U.S. region with the lowest average electric bill is the Pacific Contiguous region at $100.93, and the state with the lowest bill is Utah at $77.25. Meanwhile, you can expect to spend more if you’re in the highest price region—Pacific Noncontiguous at $151.22 a month—or the highest price state, which is Hawaii at $168.13 a month.

How Electric Bills are Calculated

To help understand the variance in electric bill costs across the country, it helps to understand how electric bills are calculated in the first place.

Electricity is charged in kilowatts (kWh), which is a unit of energy equal to 1,000 watts. And the cost of your electricity bill is calculated by multiplying the amount of kilowatts you use by the cost per kilowatt, then dividing that number by 100.

The average price per kilowatt is different in each state and so is the average amount of kilowatts used, which is why you see such a range of average electric bill costs across the country. In Hawaii, the state with the highest average electric cost per month, the cost per kilowatt is also the highest—which means the state’s overall cost per electricity is pricey. This is despite the fact that Hawaii is also the state with the lowest monthly kilowatt consumption.

Easy Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill

We’ve covered some realistic ways to lower your utility costs before, but here’s are some easy tips for lowering your electricity bill in particular.

Swap in smart power strips

Avoid running certain appliances during peak hours

Turn down the thermostat when you go to bed

Replace your air filters

Switch to LED lightbulbs

Small changes in your home and lifestyle can make a big impact on your average electric bill. In addition to implementing the changes above, we recommend sourcing as much information as you can about your individual electricity usage—much of which is already included right on your bill. This includes comparing your usage week-to-week and month-to-month to analyze when you’re tacking on the most to your bill. From there, you can make a conscious decision to adjust your habits in the pricier time frames, using fewer kilowatts and minimizing your monthly spend.