Electricity Cost Calculator
Calculate your monthly and annual electricity costs based on your usage and state's average rate.
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- EIA · NREL · IRS data
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Your Bill vs. National Average
These calculations use state-average rates. Your actual rate depends on your specific utility, rate plan, and any fixed monthly fees.
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How the Electricity Cost Calculator works
The formulas, data sources, and assumptions behind every number you see above.
Monthly electricity cost = monthly kWh usage × your rate per kWh. We default to your state's average residential rate from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), but you can override with your actual rate.
The annual figure assumes constant monthly usage, which is rarely true in practice — heating and cooling cause significant seasonal swings. For a more accurate annual estimate, average your kWh usage across at least 12 months of bills.
What to know before acting on this estimate
Context, trade-offs, and next-step guidance that a simple number can't capture.
Electricity rates vary widely across the United States. The EIA reports U.S. residential rates ranging from under $0.11/kWh in low-cost states like Idaho, Washington, and North Dakota to over $0.40/kWh in Hawaii. Most states fall between $0.12 and $0.22.
Your total bill depends on three things: your rate (cents per kWh), your usage (kWh per month), and any fixed fees your utility charges regardless of usage. The U.S. average household uses about 900 kWh per month at an average rate of about 16 cents — yielding a typical bill in the $130–$160 range.
Usage varies dramatically with climate, home size, and equipment. A small efficient home in mild climate may use 300–500 kWh/month. A large home with electric heating in a hot or cold climate can exceed 2,500 kWh/month. Heating and cooling are typically the largest single category, followed by water heating, refrigeration, and lighting.
If your bill consistently exceeds $150/month and you live in a sunny state, solar typically pays back within 7–10 years — making it one of the higher-leverage investments in residential energy.
FAQ: Electricity Cost Calculator
The questions homeowners most often ask about this calculator.