Where You’ll Pay the Most in Electric Bills

Whether it is powering a refrigerator to keep food from spoiling or heating water for a shower, many of modern life’s most basic functions require electricity. However, the cost of running a refrigerator for a month could be up to three times more expensive depending on the state.

To highlight how electricity costs vary across the country, 24/7 Wall st. reviewed the average retail price of a kilowatt hour -- a measure of electrical energy equivalent to 1,000 watts for 1 hour -- of electricity in every state.

Many factors can impact the price of electricity in a given area. For example, natural resources and weather conditions influence which fuel sources are more likely to be used to produce electricity and how much electricity is needed. In some areas, these factors can reduce the price of energy, while in others they can cause prices to soar.

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Natural gas surpassed coal in 2016 as the largest source of electricity in the United States. It is the largest source of electricity in 18 states. Coal remains the largest source in 19 states. Nuclear and hydroelectric provide the most energy in six and five states, respectively.

Residents of states with the highest costs of electricity do not necessarily have the highest electricity bills. Customers compensate for the high prices by dramatically reducing their use, especially in the states where electricity is most expensive. By contrast, households in states where electricity is much cheaper often use more than double the electricity than homes in expensive areas.


50. Louisiana
> Average price of electricity: 9.1¢/kWh
> Average monthly usage: 1,239 kWh (the highest)
> Average monthly bill: $113 (22nd highest)
> Largest energy source: Natural gas

49. Washington
> Average price of electricity: 9.4¢/kWh
> Average monthly usage: 963 kWh (22nd highest)
> Average monthly bill: $90 (7th lowest)
> Largest energy source: Hydroelectric

48. Arkansas
> Average price of electricity: 9.9¢/kWh
> Average monthly usage: 1,083 kWh (14th highest)
> Average monthly bill: $107 (21st lowest)
> Largest energy source: Coal

47. Idaho
> Average price of electricity: 10.0¢/kWh
> Average monthly usage: 952 kWh (23rd highest)
> Average monthly bill: $95 (10th lowest)
> Largest energy source: Hydroelectric

46. Oklahoma
> Average price of electricity: 10.1¢/kWh
> Average monthly usage: 1,101 kWh (12th highest)
> Average monthly bill: $111 (24th highest)
> Largest energy source: Natural gas

45. North Dakota
> Average price of electricity: 10.2¢/kWh
> Average monthly usage: 1,038 kWh (16th highest)
> Average monthly bill: $106 (20th lowest)
> Largest energy source: Coal