Explore electricity prices & bills
Use the explorer below to switch between the retail price of electricity (cents per kilowatt-hour) and the average monthly bill; pick a customer sector; and choose whether to view the level, its annual change, or its within-year volatility. All values are adjusted for inflation and shown in 2024 US dollars.
The individual charts further down this page look at several of these views in more detail.
Electricity prices
One of the basic metrics used to track energy affordability is the retail price of electricity. In the chart below, you can explore data on electricity prices, measured in cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
Clicking on any country will show you how prices have changed over time, while the dropdown menu allows you to switch between residential, commercial and industrial prices. States can be compared using the bar chart or marimekko view.
Methodology note: This data shows real prices, which means that prices are adjusted for inflation, and given in 2024 dollars. Nominal prices have been inflation-adjusted using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Urban Consumers. In the next section, we show the comparison of nominal and real prices.
Real vs. nominal electricity prices
The electricity prices we looked at above, and those that are used throughout this page are adjusted for inflation. But it's helpful to see how these real and nominal electricity prices compare, especially when data on nominal price changes are used elsewhere.
The chart below shows the difference between real and nominal electricity prices for the US as a whole. The gap between the two lines represents the effect of inflation: when nominal prices increase more quickly than real prices, part of the reason for increased nomimal prices in general inflation, rather than factors specific to electricity.
You can see this comparison for other states using the state-selector on the right.
Methodology note: Nominal prices have been inflation-adjusted using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Urban Consumers.
Electricity prices by sector
While electricity prices are often discussed as average rates across all consumers, prices can vary a lot between residential, commercial and industrial customers. This is for various reasons: consumption patterns, direct access to grid resources, subsidies, and rates negotiated with utilities.
In the chart below you can compare prices across sectors; in the dropdown menu, you can switch between states.
Annual change in electricity prices
Using the data on electricity prices above, we can see overall trends in prices over time. But this chart focuses specifcially on the change in prices from year-to-year. It is measured as the relative (percentage) change in one year compared to the previous one. This gives a more specific view of large and substantial rises and falls in prices, either due to specific events or rapid changes in inflation.
Using the timeline underneath the map, you can see this change over time. Using the other chart options, you can compare states in any year.
Methodology note: This data shows real prices, which means that prices are adjusted for inflation.
Electricity price volatility
Annual data allows us to see changes in prices across years, but it can miss substantial fluctuations that happen within a given year.
This chart shows the volatility of electricity prices, measured as the standard deviation of monthly prices in that year. Higher values mean there are larger swings from month-to-month, which can affect affordability for consumers that face high prices in particular months.
Monthly electricity prices
The chart below shows monthly electricity prices for the US as a whole. You can use the timeline underneath the chart to zoom into fluctations in particular years, and use the dropdown to see prices in different states.
This data shows clear seasonal patterns, typically with higher prices in summer months (particularly in warmer states) due to increased demand for air conditioning. Colder states tend to have seasonal peaks in winter months due to demands for heating.
Electricity bills
The amount that consumers pay each month for electricity not only depends on prices, but how much they consume. This chart shows monthly electricity bills, which is calculcated as prices per kilowatt-hour multiplied by the number of kilowatt-hours consumed.
States with very different consumer prices can have similar electricity bills, because of different consumption patterns. This can be for a variety of reasons such as differences in heating or cooling demand, efficiency standards, or typical business or household size.
Methodology note: This data shows real prices, which means that prices are adjusted for inflation.
Electricity price vs. electricity sources
A common question is how different electricity sources affect prices. Does deploying solar and wind increase or decrease prices? What about a coal-heavy mix versus a gas-heavy one?
One way to explore this question is to look at the relationship between electricity prices, and the share of different sources in the mix across states. This is what is shown in the chart; on the x-axis, we have the share of electricity generated from a given source, and on the y-axis, average electricity prices. Using the dropdown menu, you can change what source is shown.
Change in electricity price vs. change in source share
Another way to explore this price-electricity mix relationship is to look at how changes in prices relate to changes in different sources. This helps us answer questions such as: have prices increased more or less in states that have deployed solar and wind quickly? Has a fast decline in coal generation lowered or increased prices?
That is what this chart shows: on the x-axis, we have the change in the share of electricity generated from a given source (you can change the source using the dropdown), and on the y-axis, the change in average electricity prices over a given period. Using the timeline, you can pick the start and end date that you want to compare the change over.
Methodology note: This data is shown in real prices, which means it has been adjusted for inflation.
Electricity price vs. carbon intensity
Looking beyond individual electricity sources, we can also look at the relationship between prices and how low-carbon electricity generation is overall. Do states with cleaner or more carbon-intensive grids have higher or lower prices?
This chart shows average electricity prices on the x-axis. And on the y-axis, we have the carbon intensity of electricity generation; this tells us how many grams of carbon dioxide are emitted for each kilowatt-hour of electricity generated. States with more hydropower, nuclear, solar, wind, and geothermal will typically have lower carbon intensities. Those with gas rather than coal will also have a lower-carbon mix.
Change in electricity price vs. electricity load growth
Many states have experienced growth in electricity demand in recent years, and that is likely to continue with the growth of data centers, and electrification. Does faster growth in electricity demand lead to higher prices?
This chart shows the relationship between the two. On the x-axis, we have the change in average electricity prices over a given period (you can use the timeline to adjust the start and end years). On the y-axis, we have the percentage change in electricity consumption over that same period. This change in electricity consumption is often called "load growth".
Natural gas prices
How do natural gas prices compare across states, and how have they changed over time?
The chart below shows the average price of natural gas for residential customers in each state. This is measured per thousand cubic feet, and adjusted for inflation. Using the dropdown menu, you can switch to see prices for different consumers, for example commercial or industrial sectors.
Clicking on any state will show you how prices have changed over time.
Methodology note: Prices are measured in 2024 dollars per thousand cubic feet. These prices are adjusted for inflation.
Natural gas prices by sector
As is the case with electricity, natural gas prices can vary a lot across sectors. This chart shows the average price of natural gas for residential, commercial and industrial customers. You can switch between states using the dropdown menu.
Typically residential customers pay more for natural gas than commercial and industrial ones, but the price gap varies a lot by state, and in some, has narrowed over time.
Gasoline prices
How much do consumers pay for gasoline? This chart shows weekly retail prices for gasoline, in dollars per gallon.
Prices are typically set by global crude oil markets, but also vary as a result of state-level taxes, the particular mix of gasoline used, and factors such as transportation costs. The chart allows you to view this data across states and larger regions (but note that data is not available for all states).
Methodology note: Prices are adjusted for inflation, and measured in 2024 dollars per gallon.