Electricity Costs in the United States

Electricity costs

A household electricity bill is a combination of how much electricity you use and how your utility or supplier charges for it. The headline cents-per-kWh figure is important, but bills can also include delivery components, fixed customer charges, credits, riders or time-of-use periods.

Estimate your bill: use the U.S. Electricity Bill Calculator with a single/blended rate or time-of-use rates and optional bill components.

Why one U.S. electricity price does not describe every home

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports average retail electricity prices, but it also notes that prices vary by locality because of generation resources, fuel costs, regulation and other regional factors. A state average therefore works as a benchmark, not as a quote for a specific address or rate plan.

For a household estimate, start with the rate structure on the actual bill. If supply and delivery are shown separately, keep them separate unless you intentionally combine them into one blended rate.

Common pieces of an electricity bill

Energy usage

Measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This is the quantity consumed over the billing period.

Variable rate

Often expressed in cents per kWh. Some bills show separate supply and delivery rates.

Time of use

Different kWh rates can apply during peak, mid-peak or off-peak periods, depending on the tariff.

Fixed and other charges

Customer charges, riders, taxes, adjustments and credits can affect the final bill even when kWh use is unchanged.

Official U.S. references

Reviewed: 27 September 2026. Published child guides will appear automatically below this hub after launch.

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