Updated with EIA data for August 2026
In August 2026, the average residential electricity rate in District of Columbia was 25.98¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh), 43% higher than the US average of 18.16¢. That makes District of Columbia the 9th most expensive of the 50 states and DC. Prices rose 12.1% from August 2025 (23.18¢).
| Year | Avg rate | Avg monthly bill | Avg monthly use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (8 mo) | 24.86¢ | $166 | 669 kWh |
| 2025 | 21.92¢ | $140 | 639 kWh |
| 2024 | 17.71¢ | $113 | 639 kWh |
| 2023 | 16.45¢ | $104 | 631 kWh |
| 2022 | 14.18¢ | $97 | 685 kWh |
| 2021 | 13.09¢ | $92 | 706 kWh |
| 2020 | 12.63¢ | $89 | 704 kWh |
| 2019 | 12.98¢ | $98 | 752 kWh |
| 2018 | 12.84¢ | $101 | 787 kWh |
| 2017 | 12.94¢ | $97 | 746 kWh |
Rates are weighted by kWh sold. Bills and usage are averages per residential customer.
| Sector | Rate | A year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | 25.98¢ | 23.18¢ |
| Commercial | 23.31¢ | 20.65¢ |
| Industrial | 18.53¢ | 8.10¢ |
| Transportation | 14.92¢ | 9.83¢ |
| All sectors | 23.66¢ | 20.75¢ |
At District of Columbia's 12-month average residential rate of 24.48¢ per kWh, here is the energy cost for common monthly usage levels, next to the US average. Fixed customer charges, taxes and fees vary by utility and are not included.
| Monthly use | District of Columbia | US average |
|---|---|---|
| 250 kWh | $61.20 | $45.40 |
| 500 kWh | $122.40 | $90.80 |
| 750 kWh | $183.60 | $136.20 |
| 1,000 kWh | $244.80 | $181.60 |
| 1,500 kWh | $367.20 | $272.40 |
| 2,000 kWh | $489.60 | $363.20 |
Over the last 12 months, the average residential rate ranged from 22.71¢ (November 2025) to 25.98¢ (August 2026), and homes used the most electricity in July 2026 (827 kWh on average).
| Month | Avg rate | Avg bill | Avg use |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 25.98¢ | $206 | 791 kWh |
| July 2026 | 25.21¢ | $209 | 827 kWh |
| June 2026 | 24.39¢ | $145 | 594 kWh |
| May 2026 | 25.40¢ | $128 | 502 kWh |
| April 2026 | 25.41¢ | $119 | 467 kWh |
| March 2026 | 25.00¢ | $166 | 666 kWh |
| February 2026 | 23.96¢ | $170 | 711 kWh |
| January 2026 | 23.72¢ | $188 | 793 kWh |
| December 2025 | 23.90¢ | $182 | 760 kWh |
| November 2025 | 22.71¢ | $108 | 477 kWh |
| October 2025 | 23.92¢ | $115 | 483 kWh |
| September 2025 | 23.64¢ | $129 | 547 kWh |
District of Columbia's 12-month average rate is higher than all of its neighbors.
| State | 12-mo avg rate | Avg monthly bill | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 24.48¢ | $155 | #10 |
| Maryland | 21.18¢ | $202 | #14 |
| Virginia | 16.64¢ | $177 | #22 |
| Appliance | Typical wattage | Cost per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Space heater | 750–1,500 W | $0.18–$0.37 |
| Refrigerator | 725 W | $0.18 |
| Clothes dryer | 1,800–5,000 W | $0.44–$1.22 |
| Washing machine | 350–500 W | $0.09–$0.12 |
| Dishwasher | 1,200–2,400 W | $0.29–$0.59 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500–5,500 W | $1.10–$1.35 |
| Microwave | 750–1,100 W | $0.18–$0.27 |
| Window fan | 55–250 W | $0.01–$0.06 |
All appliance costs · Appliance cost calculator for District of Columbia
District of Columbia has retail electricity choice: in many areas, households can buy their electricity supply from a competitive retail provider instead of the utility's default rate. Your local utility still delivers the power and handles outages. Availability depends on your utility area. Compare the plan rate, contract length, fees and any cancellation charge before you switch.
Each kW of solar panels in Washington produces about 1,391 kWh a year (NREL PVWatts). Sized for an average District of Columbia home, a 5.6 kW system would cost about $14,392 before any incentives and pay for itself in about 7.7 years. See the full District of Columbia solar estimate.
Switching ProvidersDC residents can buy electricity supply from licensed suppliers while Pepco keeps delivering it. Here is how to compare offers on DC Power Connect and switch safely.
Switching ProvidersFixed plans lock your supply price per kWh for a term; variable plans can change monthly. Here is how each works, state rules, and how to choose.
Saving EnergyPractical ways to lower your electric bill, from free thermostat and standby-power fixes to LEDs, insulation and rate plans, each backed by DOE, EPA or EIA guidance.
SolarThe 25D federal credit ended for systems installed after 2025. Here is what now decides whether solar pays off, and how to estimate your own payback.
The average residential electricity rate in District of Columbia was 25.98¢ per kWh in August 2026. Over the past 12 months it averaged 24.48¢ per kWh.
The average residential customer in District of Columbia paid $206 for 791 kWh in August 2026, based on EIA revenue, sales and customer counts.
In August 2026, District of Columbia's average rate of 25.98¢ was 43% higher than the US average of 18.16¢.
Yes, District of Columbia has retail electricity choice, so many households can buy supply from a competitive provider. Your utility still delivers the power.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Form EIA-861M monthly sales and revenue data. Latest month: August 2026. Recent months may be preliminary and revised by EIA. See how we calculate.