Multiple Sources · 51 states
States With Most Expensive Electricity
The most expensive electricity in the United States is found in states with limited local generation, island geography, or high regulatory costs. Hawaii pays roughly 3-4x the national average because nearly all fuel must be shipped in. Connecticut, Massachusetts, and California also rank among the priciest due to aging infrastructure, strict environmental regulations, and high labor costs. High electricity prices have become a political flashpoint as states weigh clean energy transitions against affordability for low-income residents.
Key Findings
- 1Hawaii leads with a residential electricity price (cents/kWh) of 40.59c, followed by California (32.54c) and Massachusetts (30.48c).
- 2North Dakota ranks last at 11.81c, while Hawaii leads at 40.59c.
- 3The national median across all states is 15.37c (Oregon at the midpoint).
- 4The top 10 states are: Hawaii, California, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, New York, Alaska, New Hampshire, Vermont.
Full Ranking: States With Most Expensive Electricity
Source: Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
| # | State | cents/kWh | Renewable % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | 13.4 | 25.6 |
| 2 | Wisconsin | 18.2 | 12.3 |
| 3 | West Virginia | 15.4 | 7 |
| 4 | Washington | 13.1 | 69.5 |
| 5 | Virginia | 15.3 | 11.4 |
| 6 | Vermont | 22.9 | 99.8 |
| 7 | Utah | 13.1 | 20.9 |
| 8 | Texas | 15.5 | 29.4 |
| 9 | Tennessee | 13.2 | 13.8 |
| 10 | South Dakota | 13.4 | 81.6 |
| 11 | South Carolina | 15 | 7.1 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 29.5 | 10 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | 19.3 | 3.5 |
| 14 | Oregon | 15.4 | 61.4 |
| 15 | Oklahoma | 13.1 | 42.7 |
| 16 | Ohio | 17 | 5.3 |
| 17 | North Dakota | 11.8 | 39.5 |
| 18 | North Carolina | 14 | 13.8 |
| 19 | New York | 26.4 | 30 |
| 20 | New Mexico | 15.1 | 49.4 |
| 21 | New Jersey | 22.6 | 3.8 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | 24.6 | 14.9 |
| 23 | Nevada | 13.2 | 40.2 |
| 24 | Nebraska | 12.3 | 35.9 |
| 25 | Montana | 13 | 57.4 |
| 26 | Missouri | 13.5 | 12.1 |
| 27 | Mississippi | 14 | 4.3 |
| 28 | Minnesota | 15.8 | 32.6 |
| 29 | Michigan | 20 | 12 |
| 30 | Massachusetts | 30.5 | 19.6 |
| 31 | Maryland | 19.5 | 10.7 |
| 32 | Maine | 27.8 | 53.8 |
| 33 | Louisiana | 12.6 | 4.1 |
| 34 | Kentucky | 13.2 | 7.1 |
| 35 | Kansas | 14.6 | 52 |
| 36 | Iowa | 13.7 | 65.5 |
| 37 | Indiana | 16.2 | 14.4 |
| 38 | Illinois | 17.7 | 15.3 |
| 39 | Idaho | 11.8 | 68.3 |
| 40 | Hawaii | 40.6 | 21.2 |
| 41 | Georgia | 14.7 | 12.5 |
| 42 | Florida | 15.2 | 8.2 |
| 43 | District of Columbia | 21.9 | 46.8 |
| 44 | Delaware | 17.1 | 4.4 |
| 45 | Connecticut | 29.4 | 3.1 |
| 46 | Colorado | 15.9 | 41.3 |
| 47 | California | 32.5 | 50.8 |
| 48 | Arkansas | 12.8 | 10.2 |
| 49 | Arizona | 15.3 | 16.3 |
| 50 | Alaska | 26.1 | 28.2 |
| 51 | Alabama | 16.1 | 9 |
Methodology
Rankings are based on American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 5-Year estimates from the US Census Bureau. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are included. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing data. 5-Year estimates offer the most reliable data for state-level comparisons by averaging responses over a 60-month period. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
More Energy Rankings
Explore Other Rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Hawaii has the highest residential electricity price (cents/kWh) at 40.59c, according to Census ACS 2023 data. California and Massachusetts round out the top three.
North Dakota has the lowest residential electricity price (cents/kWh) at 11.81c. Idaho is second-lowest at 11.82c.
The median across all 51 states is 15.37c. Note that the national median and the state-level median are calculated differently — the state median represents the midpoint when all states are ranked.
This data comes from the American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 5-Year estimates published by the US Census Bureau. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides the most comprehensive demographic data available between decennial censuses.
Rankings are based on the latest available Census ACS data (currently 2023 5-Year estimates). The Census Bureau releases new ACS data annually, typically in September. Our data was last updated on April 12, 2026.
Rankings are based on American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 5-Year estimates from the US Census Bureau. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are included. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing data. 5-Year estimates offer the most reliable data for state-level comparisons by averaging responses over a 60-month period. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.