Electricity Bill Estimator
Short answer: the average US home uses about 877 kWh per month at roughly 18¢/kWh, for a bill near $158/month — but your state changes everything, from ~10¢ in Louisiana to ~40¢ in Hawaii. Pick your state and usage below for your estimate. Your numbers never leave your browser.
Estimate Your Electric Bill
⚡ 2026 Electricity Quick Facts
- US average residential rate: ~17.98¢/kWh (EIA, late 2025).
- Average home usage: ~877 kWh/month → roughly $158/month nationally.
- Most expensive: Hawaii (~39.7¢), California (~33.6¢), Massachusetts (~31.4¢).
- Cheapest: Louisiana (~12.4¢), Idaho (~12.5¢), North Dakota (~12.8¢).
- Biggest bill drivers: air conditioning, electric heating, water heater, dryer — and your state's rate.
How Your Electric Bill Is Calculated
Almost every US residential bill comes down to one multiplication:
Monthly bill = kilowatt-hours used × price per kWh. Use 877 kWh at 18¢ and you get about $158. The two levers are usage (which you control) and rate (which your state and utility mostly set).
1. Pick your state. Rates vary more than 3× across the US. The dropdown pre-fills your state's average residential rate from US Energy Information Administration data — or type your exact rate from your bill for a sharper estimate.
2. Enter your usage. A small apartment might use 400–600 kWh; an average home about 877 kWh; a large all-electric home 1,400+. Summer AC and winter heating swing it hard.
3. Compare. The results show your bill against the US average, plus per-day and annual figures — handy for the budget planner.
📝 Example: 877 kWh in Texas vs California
Texas (~15.36¢/kWh): 877 × $0.1536 = $134.71/month
California (~33.60¢/kWh): 877 × $0.3360 = $294.67/month
Same usage, $160/month difference — over $1,900 a year. Try your own state above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a kWh?
A kilowatt-hour is 1,000 watts used for one hour. A 100-watt bulb burning for 10 hours uses 1 kWh. Your bill multiplies total kWh by your rate.
Where do the state rates come from?
State averages are based on US Energy Information Administration (EIA) residential price data (late 2025), rounded to cents. They're averages — your utility's actual rate may be higher or lower, which is why you can override it with the exact number from your bill.
Why is my bill higher than this estimate?
Common reasons: fixed monthly service charges ($5–$15+) that this estimate excludes, tiered rates where extra usage costs more per kWh, seasonal surcharges, and taxes/fees. For the closest match, enter your exact rate from your bill.
How can I lower my electric bill?
The big wins: raise the AC thermostat a few degrees, switch to LED lighting, run the dryer/dishwasher off-peak if your plan rewards it, and seal air leaks. In high-rate states, the same kWh cut saves 2–3× more dollars.
What's the average US electric bill?
About $158/month — 877 kWh at the national average of ~17.98¢/kWh. But the range is enormous: the same usage costs roughly $109 in Louisiana and $348 in Hawaii.
Is this financial advice?
No. This is an educational estimate. Rates change and utilities bill differently — always confirm with your provider.
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