Energy use and cost
Electricity bill calculator
Electric bill = kWh used × price per kWh + fixed monthly charge. The average US home uses about 899 kWh a month (EIA), which at the January–July 2026 average of 18.19¢/kWh comes to about $164 a month.
$163.53a month for 899 kWh
- Energy charge
- 899 kWh × 18.19¢/kWh = $163.53
- Fixed monthly charge
- $0.00
- Effective price
- 18.19¢/kWh
- Per year
- $1,962
- Average use per day
- 30.0 kWh
State averages from the EIA already spread fixed charges across every kWh, so leave the fixed charge at $0 when you use one. Add it only with your own utility’s energy rate.
How an electric bill is calculated
energy charge = kWh used × price per kWh bill = energy charge + fixed monthly charge (+ taxes) price per kWh = bill ÷ kWh used
Most US utility bills have three parts: a fixed customer or service charge (often $5–$30 a month, whether you use power or not), a per-kWh charge that may be split into "supply" or "generation" and "delivery" or "distribution", and taxes and riders. Some utilities price in tiers (the first 500 kWh cheaper than the rest) or by time of use (evenings cost more). The calculator uses one blended rate, which is what the EIA state averages are: total residential revenue divided by kWh sold, so fixed charges and riders are already included.
Monthly bill by usage
At the cheapest state average (North Dakota, 12.36¢), the US average (18.19¢) and the most expensive (Hawaii, 46.28¢), EIA, January–July 2026:
| Monthly use | North Dakota | US average | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 kWh | $37.08 | $54.57 | $138.84 |
| 500 kWh | $61.80 | $90.95 | $231.40 |
| 750 kWh | $92.70 | $136.43 | $347.10 |
| 899 kWh | $111.12 | $163.53 | $416.06 |
| 1,000 kWh | $123.60 | $181.90 | $462.80 |
| 1,500 kWh | $185.40 | $272.85 | $694.20 |
| 2,000 kWh | $247.20 | $363.80 | $925.60 |
What uses the kWh
Heating and cooling are the biggest swing: a central AC or a heat pump can add 500–1,500 kWh in a peak month, and electric resistance heat even more. A water heater uses about 300–400 kWh a month for a family, a refrigerator 30–55 kWh, and an EV driven 1,000 miles about 300 kWh. Price any single appliance with the appliance cost calculator, or see how far solar panels would cut the bill.
Average bill for 899 kWh in every state
| State | Average price | Monthly bill | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.54¢ | $148.69 | $1,784 |
| Alaska | 27.09¢ | $243.54 | $2,922 |
| Arizona | 15.44¢ | $138.81 | $1,666 |
| Arkansas | 13.61¢ | $122.35 | $1,468 |
| California | 33.25¢ | $298.92 | $3,587 |
| Colorado | 16.72¢ | $150.31 | $1,804 |
| Connecticut | 27.97¢ | $251.45 | $3,017 |
| Delaware | 17.86¢ | $160.56 | $1,927 |
| District of Columbia | 24.66¢ | $221.69 | $2,660 |
| Florida | 15.30¢ | $137.55 | $1,651 |
| Georgia | 15.40¢ | $138.45 | $1,661 |
| Hawaii | 46.28¢ | $416.06 | $4,993 |
| Idaho | 12.96¢ | $116.51 | $1,398 |
| Illinois | 19.22¢ | $172.79 | $2,073 |
| Indiana | 17.04¢ | $153.19 | $1,838 |
| Iowa | 14.20¢ | $127.66 | $1,532 |
| Kansas | 15.21¢ | $136.74 | $1,641 |
| Kentucky | 14.27¢ | $128.29 | $1,539 |
| Louisiana | 13.35¢ | $120.02 | $1,440 |
| Maine | 29.99¢ | $269.61 | $3,235 |
| Maryland | 21.30¢ | $191.49 | $2,298 |
| Massachusetts | 30.14¢ | $270.96 | $3,252 |
| Michigan | 21.53¢ | $193.55 | $2,323 |
| Minnesota | 16.25¢ | $146.09 | $1,753 |
| Mississippi | 15.19¢ | $136.56 | $1,639 |
| Missouri | 13.96¢ | $125.50 | $1,506 |
| Montana | 13.95¢ | $125.41 | $1,505 |
| Nebraska | 12.90¢ | $115.97 | $1,392 |
| Nevada | 13.53¢ | $121.63 | $1,460 |
| New Hampshire | 26.79¢ | $240.84 | $2,890 |
| New Jersey | 23.98¢ | $215.58 | $2,587 |
| New Mexico | 15.08¢ | $135.57 | $1,627 |
| New York | 29.38¢ | $264.13 | $3,170 |
| North Carolina | 14.94¢ | $134.31 | $1,612 |
| North Dakota | 12.36¢ | $111.12 | $1,333 |
| Ohio | 18.70¢ | $168.11 | $2,017 |
| Oklahoma | 13.58¢ | $122.08 | $1,465 |
| Oregon | 15.40¢ | $138.45 | $1,661 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.04¢ | $189.15 | $2,270 |
| Rhode Island | 29.22¢ | $262.69 | $3,152 |
| South Carolina | 15.93¢ | $143.21 | $1,719 |
| South Dakota | 14.50¢ | $130.36 | $1,564 |
| Tennessee | 13.87¢ | $124.69 | $1,496 |
| Texas | 16.06¢ | $144.38 | $1,733 |
| Utah | 13.16¢ | $118.31 | $1,420 |
| Vermont | 23.95¢ | $215.31 | $2,584 |
| Virginia | 16.83¢ | $151.30 | $1,816 |
| Washington | 14.40¢ | $129.46 | $1,553 |
| West Virginia | 15.47¢ | $139.08 | $1,669 |
| Wisconsin | 19.00¢ | $170.81 | $2,050 |
| Wyoming | 13.95¢ | $125.41 | $1,505 |
Your bill will differ from these averages with your utility's rate design and the season. Full rates, year-over-year changes and rankings are on the electricity prices by state page.
Common questions
How do I calculate my electric bill?
Multiply the kWh on your bill by the price per kWh, then add the fixed monthly charge and taxes. 900 kWh × 18¢ = $162, plus a $12 customer charge = $174.
How do I find my cost per kWh?
Divide the bill total by the kWh used. A $150 bill for 800 kWh is 18.75¢/kWh all-in. Pick “My price per kWh” above to split out the fixed charge.
How many kWh does an average house use per month?
About 899 kWh, or 10,791 kWh a year, according to the EIA (2022). Louisiana homes use the most and Hawaii homes the least.
Why is my bill higher than kWh × rate?
Fixed customer charges, taxes, fuel-cost adjustments and other riders. Tiered and time-of-use rates also charge more for some of your kWh.
Guides that use this calculator
- How Much Does It Cost to Run a Space Heater?
- How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV at Home? (By State)
- How Many Watts Does It Take to Run a House?