7 min read • Updated May 2026 • By the CliQ Team — hardware veterans from Blink Security Cameras
What's a normal electric bill? The average US residential electricity bill was $142.26 per month in 2024, the most recent full year of EIA data — roughly $1,707 per year. But "normal" depends on where you live and how big your home is. State averages range from $92.88/month in New Mexico to $212.12/month in Hawaii. A 1,000-square-foot apartment in a mild climate might pay $80–120. A 3,000-square-foot house in a hot or cold state can pay $250 or more.
If you want a fast yardstick: the typical US home uses about 863 kWh per month at an average rate of 16.48¢/kWh (2024) — rising to roughly 17.30¢/kWh in 2025.
The US Average Electric Bill
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports the average residential electricity bill was $142.26 per month in 2024 — the most recent full year of confirmed national data, published in EIA Table 5A. That works out to roughly $1,707 per year.
Two numbers sit behind that figure:
- Average monthly consumption: 863 kWh per household (EIA, 2024).
- Average residential rate: 16.48¢/kWh in 2024, rising to 17.30¢/kWh for full-year 2025, and 17.65¢/kWh in early 2026.
If you're seeing a higher number on your bill, that's not unusual. The $142 figure is the national mean — it folds in households in low-rate states and households in high-rate states. Both groups would say their bill is "normal." Yours depends on where you live, how big your home is, and what time of year it is.
Rates are up roughly 30% since 2019. The same kilowatt-hour that cost 13¢ in 2019 costs over 17¢ today. If your usage hasn't changed but your bill keeps climbing, the rate is doing the work.
What's Normal by Home Size
Square footage isn't the only driver — climate, insulation, and number of occupants all matter — but bigger homes use more electricity, full stop. Here's a typical range based on EIA Residential Energy Consumption Survey data and current US average rates:
| Home Type | Typical Size | Monthly Use (kWh) | Typical Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-BR apartment | Under 1,000 sq ft | ~500–700 | $85–$120 |
| 2-BR apartment / small home | 1,000–1,500 sq ft | ~700–900 | $120–$155 |
| Mid-size home (3 BR) | 1,500–2,500 sq ft | ~900–1,200 | $155–$210 |
| Large home (4+ BR) | 2,500–3,500 sq ft | ~1,200–1,500 | $210–$260 |
| Very large home | 3,500+ sq ft | 1,500+ | $260+ |
A few honest caveats. Homes with electric heat pay more in winter than homes with natural gas heat. Homes in hot southern states pay more in summer than homes in milder coastal climates. An older home with poor insulation can use 30–40% more energy than a newer home of the same size. The table is a starting point, not a verdict.
One number that doesn't move with home size: the share of your bill driven by heating and cooling. EIA data shows that heating and cooling accounts for about 52% of the typical US home's energy use — the single largest category, by a wide margin. That's the lever most homeowners can actually pull.
What's Normal by State
State averages vary more than most people realize. Below are the highest and lowest states for monthly residential electricity bills based on the EIA's 2024 full-year data (Table 5A — the most recent confirmed annual figures).
The 10 Highest-Bill States
| Rank | State | Avg. Monthly Bill | Why It's High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $212.12 | Isolated grid, oil-fired generation |
| 2 | Connecticut | $199.66 | Gas-dependent New England grid |
| 3 | Alabama | $173.50 | High consumption (AC + electric heat) |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $167.20 | Same gas exposure as CT |
| 5 | Maryland | $165.87 | Above-average rates and usage |
| 6 | Texas | $163.72 | Long, hot summers; high AC use |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $162.40 | Same gas exposure as CT and MA |
| 8 | California | $160.86 | Wildfire mitigation, grid investment |
| 9 | Arizona | $160.24 | Year-round AC, hot summers |
| 10 | Florida | $156.09 | Year-round AC |
Worth noting: high bills come from two very different places. New England has expensive electricity but uses relatively little of it — Connecticut customers use just 695 kWh/month at 28.75¢/kWh. The Deep South pays lower rates but uses a lot more — Alabama customers use 1,143 kWh/month at 15.18¢/kWh. Different drivers, similar result.
The 10 Lowest-Bill States
| Rank | State | Avg. Monthly Bill | Why It's Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $92.88 | Cheap coal/gas mix, low usage |
| 2 | Utah | $94.57 | Low rates, mild summers, gas heat |
| 3 | Colorado | $100.57 | Mild climate, gas heat |
| 4 | Wyoming | $107.65 | Very low rates |
| 5 | Montana | $107.91 | Cheap hydropower |
| 6 | Idaho | $108.73 | Hydropower keeps rates low |
| 7 | Illinois | $109.99 | Mid-size usage at low rates |
| 8 | Minnesota | $110.06 | Gas heat, moderate usage |
| 9 | Nebraska | $110.28 | Very low public-power rates |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $110.87 | Gas heat, modest cooling |
The cheapest states cluster in the Rocky Mountain region. They share three things: lower-than-average electricity rates, mild summers that don't demand heavy AC, and widespread use of natural gas (not electricity) for heating.
For a deeper look at why rates vary so much, see our breakdown: Which States Have the Highest Electricity Rates in 2026?
What's Normal by Season
For most US households, electricity bills are highest in summer. The EIA reported that the average summer (June–September) household electricity bill reached an estimated $178 per month in 2025 — the highest in over a decade. The driver: air conditioning, which is overwhelmingly powered by electricity.
Winter is a different story, and it depends on how your home is heated:
If you heat with natural gas
Your electric bill stays modest in winter. The seasonal spike shows up on your gas bill instead. This is the most common setup in the US — roughly 47% of homes use natural gas for heat.
If you heat with electricity (resistance, heat pump, or electric furnace)
Winter can be as expensive as summer — sometimes more. Electric heat moves your peak from August to January, and resistance heating in particular is energy-intensive.
If you heat with oil or propane
Like gas, the winter spike doesn't hit your electric bill — but those fuels have been volatile, and total winter energy spend can be steep.
The federal Energy Information Administration projected the average household would spend roughly $976 on energy during the 2025–2026 winter heating season — about 7–10% more than the previous winter, depending on heat source.
What Actually Changes the Bill
If you want to know whether your bill is normal — or do something about it — there are really only two levers:
The price you pay per kWh. You don't control this directly. It's set by your utility, regulated by your state, and shaped by the fuel mix in your region. But you can know what it is. Find it on your bill (usually called "supply charge" or "energy charge") and compare it to the national average of 17.30¢/kWh. If you're paying significantly more, you live in a high-rate state — that explains a lot.
How much you use. This you do control. The biggest swing factor in a typical home is heating and cooling — 52% of total energy use. After that: water heating, refrigeration, lighting, and laundry. The Department of Energy estimates you can cut your heating and cooling bill by up to 10% just by setting your thermostat back 7–10°F when you're asleep or away. Most people don't do that consistently. A smart thermostat does it every day.
For the full breakdown of what runs up your bill — and what to do about each item — see our pillar guide: Why Is My Electric Bill So High? 13 Reasons (and What to Do About Each One).
If your bill is climbing and you're done thinking about it, the thermostat is where you start.
See the CliQ Smart Thermostat →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average electric bill in the US?
The average US residential electricity bill was $142.26 per month in 2024, or roughly $1,707 per year, according to the US Energy Information Administration (Table 5A). That's based on average monthly consumption of 863 kWh at an average rate of 16.48¢/kWh. Rates have climbed to 17.30¢/kWh for full-year 2025.
Is a $200 electric bill normal?
It depends on where you live and how big your home is. A $200/month bill is normal for a mid-to-large home in Hawaii or Connecticut — the only two states with average bills near or above $200 in 2024 EIA data — and for any large home using electric heat or heavy AC. It would be high for a small home in a low-rate state like New Mexico or Utah.
What's the average electric bill for a 2,000 square foot house?
A typical 2,000-square-foot US home uses around 1,000–1,200 kWh per month, putting the average bill at roughly $170–$210 at current US average rates. The exact figure depends on your climate, insulation, and whether you heat with electricity or gas.
Which state has the lowest electric bills?
New Mexico has the lowest average residential electricity bills in the US, at $92.88 per month according to EIA Table 5A 2024 data, narrowly ahead of Utah at $94.57. The lowest-bill states cluster in the Rocky Mountain region — New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho — and benefit from low rates, mild summers, and widespread use of natural gas for heating.
Why is my electric bill higher than the average?
Most often, one of three reasons: you live in a high-rate state, your home is larger than average or poorly insulated, or you use electric heating in winter. Heating and cooling account for about 52% of a typical home's energy use, so any inefficiency in your HVAC system or thermostat schedule shows up directly on the bill.
How can I lower my electric bill?
Start with the biggest line item: heating and cooling. The Department of Energy estimates that setting your thermostat back 7–10°F for 8 hours a day cuts your heating and cooling bill by up to 10% — about $150–$180 per year for the average US household. A smart thermostat automates that setback every day so you don't have to think about it.
Prices verified as of May 2026. Check retailer links for current pricing. Bill averages are derived from EIA full-year 2024 annual data — the most recent complete national figures — and will be refreshed when 2025 annual data is finalized.
Sources
U.S. Energy Information Administration. Today in Energy — Residential electric bills in Hawaii and Connecticut are twice those in New Mexico, Utah (May 2025). https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=65244
U.S. Energy Information Administration. Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.3 — Residential electricity prices. https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=table_5_03
U.S. Energy Information Administration. Electric Power Monthly, Table 5A — Average Monthly Bill, Residential. https://www.eia.gov/electricity/sales_revenue_price/pdf/table_5A.pdf
U.S. Energy Information Administration. Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) 2020 — Use of Energy in U.S. Homes. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/use-of-energy/homes.php
U.S. Department of Energy. Energy Saver — Thermostats. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/programmable-thermostats
Photo by Karolina Grabowska via Pexels
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