Official EIA data · August 2026
What does electricity really cost you?
Your state's average price per kWh, your typical bill, and what every appliance in your home costs to run.
U.S. average rate
18.16¢
per kWh · +3.4% in a year
Average home
863
kWh a month (2024)
Price per kWh by state
Full rankingTap a state for its rate, bill and appliance costs.
Quick check: what does a space heater cost you?
Most plug-in space heaters are rated 1,500 W on high (check the label). On low they often draw about half. A thermostat that cycles the heater off lowers the real use.
EIA average residential price, August 2026. Your bill shows your exact rate.
Cost to run a space heater per month
$65.38
360 kWh at 18.16¢/kWh (U.S. average)
- Per hour of use
- $0.27
- Per day of use
- $2.18
- Per year (same use every month)
- $784.51
Power draw
1,500 W
1.5 kW
Energy per year
4,320 kWh
if used like this all year
Cost to run…
At the U.S. average rate, example use
Space heater
~$65.38/mo
Central air conditioner
~$109.72/mo
Window air conditioner
~$31.70/mo
Refrigerator
~$9.34/mo
Chest or upright freezer
~$8.63/mo
Electric clothes dryer
~$11.80/mo
Electric water heater
~$40.95/mo
Electric car
~$63.56/mo
Pool pump
~$65.38/mo
Hot tub
~$29.71/mo
Dehumidifier
~$29.42/mo
TV
~$2.72/mo
Ceiling fan
~$2.18/mo
Light bulbs
~$1.47/mo
Microwave
~$1.63/mo
Electric oven
~$4.09/mo
Most and least expensive
Average residential price per kWh, August 2026.
Where the numbers come from
- State electricity rates. EIA Electric Power Monthly, refreshed when each new month is released.
- Bills and usage by state. EIA annual electric sales and revenue data.
- What appliances really use. EIA's Residential Energy Consumption Survey, by region.
- The formulas. U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver.