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 Wisconsin was 19.41¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh), 7% higher than the US average of 18.16¢. That makes Wisconsin the 16th most expensive of the 50 states and DC. Prices rose 5.3% from August 2025 (18.44¢).
| Year | Avg rate | Avg monthly bill | Avg monthly use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (8 mo) | 19.05¢ | $130 | 684 kWh |
| 2025 | 18.08¢ | $121 | 667 kWh |
| 2024 | 17.18¢ | $111 | 645 kWh |
| 2023 | 16.88¢ | $111 | 658 kWh |
| 2022 | 15.62¢ | $107 | 685 kWh |
| 2021 | 14.52¢ | $100 | 690 kWh |
| 2020 | 14.32¢ | $99 | 694 kWh |
| 2019 | 14.18¢ | $96 | 674 kWh |
| 2018 | 14.02¢ | $97 | 693 kWh |
| 2017 | 14.35¢ | $95 | 660 kWh |
Rates are weighted by kWh sold. Bills and usage are averages per residential customer.
| Sector | Rate | A year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | 19.41¢ | 18.44¢ |
| Commercial | 14.19¢ | 13.60¢ |
| Industrial | 10.88¢ | 9.58¢ |
| Transportation | 20.22¢ | 17.56¢ |
| All sectors | 14.78¢ | 13.87¢ |
At Wisconsin's 12-month average residential rate of 18.79¢ 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 | Wisconsin | US average |
|---|---|---|
| 250 kWh | $46.98 | $45.40 |
| 500 kWh | $93.95 | $90.80 |
| 750 kWh | $140.93 | $136.20 |
| 1,000 kWh | $187.90 | $181.60 |
| 1,500 kWh | $281.85 | $272.40 |
| 2,000 kWh | $375.80 | $363.20 |
Over the last 12 months, the average residential rate ranged from 17.74¢ (December 2025) to 19.74¢ (May 2026), and homes used the most electricity in July 2026 (906 kWh on average).
| Month | Avg rate | Avg bill | Avg use |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 19.41¢ | $148 | 761 kWh |
| July 2026 | 19.06¢ | $173 | 906 kWh |
| June 2026 | 19.56¢ | $126 | 644 kWh |
| May 2026 | 19.74¢ | $109 | 553 kWh |
| April 2026 | 19.21¢ | $106 | 552 kWh |
| March 2026 | 18.78¢ | $118 | 627 kWh |
| February 2026 | 18.73¢ | $120 | 640 kWh |
| January 2026 | 18.18¢ | $143 | 785 kWh |
| December 2025 | 17.74¢ | $135 | 760 kWh |
| November 2025 | 18.30¢ | $107 | 582 kWh |
| October 2025 | 18.27¢ | $103 | 563 kWh |
| September 2025 | 18.63¢ | $112 | 604 kWh |
Wisconsin's 12-month average rate is higher than 2 of its 4 neighbors.
| State | 12-mo avg rate | Avg monthly bill | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 18.79¢ | $125 | #17 |
| Illinois | 18.91¢ | $132 | #16 |
| Iowa | 14.20¢ | $120 | #37 |
| Michigan | 21.28¢ | $134 | #13 |
| Minnesota | 16.28¢ | $121 | #25 |
| Appliance | Typical wattage | Cost per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Space heater | 750–1,500 W | $0.14–$0.28 |
| Refrigerator | 725 W | $0.14 |
| Clothes dryer | 1,800–5,000 W | $0.34–$0.94 |
| Washing machine | 350–500 W | $0.07–$0.09 |
| Dishwasher | 1,200–2,400 W | $0.23–$0.45 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500–5,500 W | $0.85–$1.03 |
| Microwave | 750–1,100 W | $0.14–$0.21 |
| Window fan | 55–250 W | $0.01–$0.05 |
All appliance costs · Appliance cost calculator for Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin was 19.41¢ per kWh in August 2026. Over the past 12 months it averaged 18.79¢ per kWh.
The average residential customer in Wisconsin paid $148 for 761 kWh in August 2026, based on EIA revenue, sales and customer counts.
In August 2026, Wisconsin's average rate of 19.41¢ was 7% higher than the US average of 18.16¢.
Generally no. Most Wisconsin 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.