Why Electricity Prices Differ So Much by State
Electricity costs several times more per kWh in some states than others. EIA data shows how fuel mix, grid costs, regulation and climate drive the gap.
Updated with EIA data for August 2026
In August 2026, the average residential electricity rate in Indiana was 17.02¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh), 6% lower than the US average of 18.16¢. That makes Indiana the 24th most expensive of the 50 states and DC. Prices rose 5.0% from August 2025 (16.21¢).
| Year | Avg rate | Avg monthly bill | Avg monthly use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (8 mo) | 17.04¢ | $165 | 969 kWh |
| 2025 | 15.96¢ | $150 | 938 kWh |
| 2024 | 14.77¢ | $133 | 901 kWh |
| 2023 | 14.94¢ | $131 | 876 kWh |
| 2022 | 14.59¢ | $139 | 950 kWh |
| 2021 | 13.37¢ | $127 | 946 kWh |
| 2020 | 12.83¢ | $120 | 938 kWh |
| 2019 | 12.58¢ | $121 | 960 kWh |
| 2018 | 12.26¢ | $123 | 1,006 kWh |
| 2017 | 12.29¢ | $114 | 928 kWh |
Rates are weighted by kWh sold. Bills and usage are averages per residential customer.
| Sector | Rate | A year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | 17.02¢ | 16.21¢ |
| Commercial | 13.29¢ | 13.86¢ |
| Industrial | 9.28¢ | 8.98¢ |
| Transportation | 15.28¢ | 13.83¢ |
| All sectors | 12.96¢ | 12.75¢ |
At Indiana's 12-month average residential rate of 16.90¢ 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 | Indiana | US average |
|---|---|---|
| 250 kWh | $42.25 | $45.40 |
| 500 kWh | $84.50 | $90.80 |
| 750 kWh | $126.75 | $136.20 |
| 1,000 kWh | $169.00 | $181.60 |
| 1,500 kWh | $253.50 | $272.40 |
| 2,000 kWh | $338.00 | $363.20 |
Over the last 12 months, the average residential rate ranged from 15.65¢ (December 2025) to 18.15¢ (May 2026), and homes used the most electricity in July 2026 (1,225 kWh on average).
| Month | Avg rate | Avg bill | Avg use |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 17.02¢ | $189 | 1,110 kWh |
| July 2026 | 16.73¢ | $205 | 1,225 kWh |
| June 2026 | 17.51¢ | $164 | 937 kWh |
| May 2026 | 18.15¢ | $129 | 713 kWh |
| April 2026 | 17.90¢ | $123 | 688 kWh |
| March 2026 | 17.85¢ | $144 | 806 kWh |
| February 2026 | 16.06¢ | $175 | 1,089 kWh |
| January 2026 | 16.19¢ | $192 | 1,187 kWh |
| December 2025 | 15.65¢ | $169 | 1,080 kWh |
| November 2025 | 17.12¢ | $129 | 755 kWh |
| October 2025 | 17.02¢ | $122 | 718 kWh |
| September 2025 | 16.99¢ | $143 | 844 kWh |
Indiana's 12-month average rate is higher than 1 of its 4 neighbors.
| State | 12-mo avg rate | Avg monthly bill | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 16.90¢ | $157 | #21 |
| Illinois | 18.91¢ | $132 | #16 |
| Kentucky | 13.94¢ | $154 | #41 |
| Michigan | 21.28¢ | $134 | #13 |
| Ohio | 18.41¢ | $159 | #18 |
| Appliance | Typical wattage | Cost per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Space heater | 750–1,500 W | $0.13–$0.25 |
| Refrigerator | 725 W | $0.12 |
| Clothes dryer | 1,800–5,000 W | $0.30–$0.85 |
| Washing machine | 350–500 W | $0.06–$0.08 |
| Dishwasher | 1,200–2,400 W | $0.20–$0.41 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500–5,500 W | $0.76–$0.93 |
| Microwave | 750–1,100 W | $0.13–$0.19 |
| Window fan | 55–250 W | $0.01–$0.04 |
All appliance costs · Appliance cost calculator for Indiana
In Indiana, most households buy electricity from their local utility at regulated rates, so shopping for a different supplier is usually not an option. The best ways to lower your bill are to reduce usage and check whether your utility offers time-of-use or other rate plans.
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The average residential electricity rate in Indiana was 17.02¢ per kWh in August 2026. Over the past 12 months it averaged 16.90¢ per kWh.
The average residential customer in Indiana paid $189 for 1,110 kWh in August 2026, based on EIA revenue, sales and customer counts.
In August 2026, Indiana's average rate of 17.02¢ was 6% lower than the US average of 18.16¢.
Generally no. Most Indiana households buy electricity from their local utility at regulated rates.
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.