Electricity cost in Rhode Island, 2026
Homes in Rhode Island paid an average of 29.22¢ per kWh from January–July 2026 — 61% above the U.S. average of 18.19¢, and down 1.1% from the same months of 2025. That ranks 46th cheapest of the 50 states and DC.
$78.89a month (30 days)
- Per hour of use
- $0.44
- Per day
- $2.63 · 9.00 kWh
- Per month
- 270.0 kWh
- Per year
- $959.88 · 3,285 kWh
Wattage on the nameplate is the maximum. Thermostat-controlled appliances (fridges, heaters, AC) cycle, so their real cost is usually lower; a plug-in meter tells you exactly.
What appliances cost to run in Rhode Island
At 29.22¢/kWh, 30-day month. Your utility's rate and fixed charges will differ; your bill's total divided by its kWh is your real price.
| Appliance | Watts | h/day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (modern, ENERGY STAR) | 150 | 10 | $13.15 | $159.98 |
| Central AC, 3 ton | 3,500 | 8 | $245.45 | $2,986 |
| Window AC, 10,000 BTU | 900 | 8 | $63.12 | $767.90 |
| Space heater | 1,500 | 6 | $78.89 | $959.88 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500 | 3 | $118.34 | $1,440 |
| Electric clothes dryer | 5,400 | 0.75 | $35.50 | $431.94 |
| Dehumidifier | 785 | 12 | $82.58 | $1,005 |
| 55" LED TV | 100 | 5 | $4.38 | $53.33 |
| Desktop computer | 120 | 8 | $8.42 | $102.39 |
| Gaming PC under load | 450 | 3 | $11.83 | $143.98 |
| Wi-Fi router + modem | 25 | 24 | $5.26 | $63.99 |
| Level 2 EV charging, 32 A | 7,680 | 1.50 | $100.98 | $1,229 |
Rhode Island compared with its neighbors
Rhode Island is in the EIA's New England region. July's price (28.29¢) was below the year-to-date average. In the same region, Vermont paid 23.95¢.
| State | ¢/kWh 2026 YTD | Change vs 2025 | National rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 23.95 | +6.6% | 40 of 51 |
| New Hampshire | 26.79 | +15.2% | 43 of 51 |
| Connecticut | 27.97 | −7.7% | 45 of 51 |
| Rhode Island | 29.22 | −1.1% | 46 of 51 |
| Maine | 29.99 | +9.2% | 48 of 51 |
| Massachusetts | 30.14 | −0.3% | 49 of 51 |
Charging an EV in Rhode Island
At this price, a car that goes 3.5 miles per kWh costs about $9.28 per 100 miles charged at home (counting 10% charging losses). A 40-mile daily commute adds about $111.31 a month to the bill. Size the circuit with the EV charger calculator.
Running backup power instead
A 7.5 kW portable generator at half load burns about 0.75 gallons of gasoline an hour, roughly 3.75 kWh. At $3.20 a gallon that is about 64¢ per kWh — 2.2 times Rhode Island's grid price. Generators are for outages, not savings. Compare with the fuel consumption calculator.