The Average Electric Bill: By State, Household, and More

The average electric bill in the U.S. is $115 per month. However, a lot of factors play a role in how much a household actually ends up paying. Location, home size, and time of year have a significant impact on the cost. Additionally, two identical homes can end up with different electric bill amounts based on the number of occupants, the kinds of devices used, and more.

If you want to look below the overall average electric bill and see how various factors impact this typical household expense, here’s what you need to know.

Average Electricity Bill by State

Where you live plays a big role when it comes to your electric bill. Different states and utility companies may charge different amounts per kilowatt-hour (kWh). As a result, two identical households residing in comparable homes under the same weather conditions but not in the same state may have dramatically different electric bills.

Here is a look at the average electricity bill by state, based on the most recent report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA):

It’s critical to point out that per kWh rates aren’t all that’s in play here. For example, Alabama’s per kWh rate is actually fairly low. However, the state often deals with long, hot summers, so residents rely heavily on air conditioning to stay comfortable for much longer than some other states, pushing their average up.

Average Electric Bill by Home Size

The size of a home can also play a significant role when it comes to the size of an electric bill. When there is more square footage, you usually have more lighting, more outlets (which can mean a larger number of plugged in devices), and a greater strain on HVAC systems.

If you extrapolate based on an average per square foot (sq. ft.) cost of $0.06, you can get a solid estimate of the average electric bill based on home size. Here’s a look at the average electric bill based on a home’s square footage:

However, it’s important to note that $0.06 per sq. ft. is just an average. Some states may have electric prices that work out as high as $0.13 per sq. ft. or more, while others may come in as low as $0.03 per sq. ft.

Here is a breakdown that more closely reflects the pricing based on fluctuations in the rates in each state based on a data analysis completed by CallMePower.com:

Electric Bill Changes Due to Household Size

While the physical size of a home can alter a household’s electric bill, so does the number of people that reside in the house.

When there are more people present, electricity usage rises. There could be more electric devices running and longer device usage. Hot water might get used more frequently, causing the hot water heater to spend more time heating colder water. Cooking meals for everyone could require more electric stove burners, resulting in extra electricity usage.

Now, how much the electric bill changes usually isn’t as dramatic as you might think. For example, turning a one-person household into a two-person household doesn’t cause the electric bill to double.

Mainly, that’s because two people aren’t using double the devices, lights, hot water, and everything else of a single-person household. Instead, they increase total usage by a smaller percentage.

For example, in a one-bedroom apartment, the electric bill difference going from a one-person to a two-person household is just $6 on average. With a three-bedroom apartment, the difference between two and three occupants averages out to $6, too.

Usually, the increase is relatively small on a per-bill basis. However, over time, it can certainly add up, making it an important point to consider.

Electric Bill Changes During the Year

Electric bills usually fluctuate during the year. During the heat of summer and cold of winter, usage goes up. People use their HVAC systems, wall heaters, window ACs, or similar devices to remain comfortable. In many cases, temperature-controlling systems require a lot of power to operate, leading to higher electric bills.

During more temperate times of year – usually, in the spring and fall – usage declines. Households may not need to use an AC or heater to stay comfortable, so their power drawn dips significantly, resulting in lower bills.

However, while part of the bill fluctuations is based on shifts in usage, that isn’t the only factor in some cases. Depending on where a person lives, per kWh rates may also change from one season to the next.

During the summer of 2020, around one-third of the country saw their electric bills shift up by at least 10%. While some of that was usage-based, in cities or states with variable electricity rates, many utility companies bump up prices in response to the rise in demand. As a result, even if usage didn’t go up, bills still can.

In some areas, larger increases during the summer aren’t uncommon. For example, in some parts of Iowa, rates are 20% higher between mid-May and mid-September specifically because of the increase in demand.

However, some people do live in areas that have flat-rate per kWh billing. In those cases, shifts are only related to changes in usage and not shifts in local rates.

Electric Bills and Appliances

Another factor in the energy bill equation is the kinds of appliances a household uses. Overall, homes with Energy Star appliances may reduce their electricity usage by 10 to 50%. As a result, two households that are functionally identical except for when it comes to their appliances can have dramatically different electric bills.

The exact difference varies depending on the energy efficiency of the appliances and local utility rates. However, many households save hundreds of dollars a year by switching from old appliances to Energy Star-rated alternatives.

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, the average electric bill in the U.S. doesn’t seem overly high. However, there are many factors in play that lead people to pay far different rates. While where you live, and the size of your property are usually the biggest influencers, others points matter, too.