Electricity prices
A primary concern for local communities pushing back against new data centers. Residents fear that the immense energy consumption of AI infrastructure will lead to higher utility bills for them.
First Mentioned
10/18/2025, 4:01:09 AM
Last Updated
10/18/2025, 4:04:44 AM
Research Retrieved
10/18/2025, 4:04:44 AM
Summary
Electricity prices are a complex topic influenced by numerous factors, including the cost of power generation, government regulations like taxes and subsidies, CO2 taxes, local weather patterns, and the extensive infrastructure required for transmission and distribution. These prices vary significantly by country, locality, and customer type (residential, commercial, industrial). The U.S. Energy Information Administration highlights that prices generally reflect the costs of building, financing, maintaining, and operating power plants and the electricity grid. For-profit utility companies often incorporate a financial return for their investors, sometimes leveraging political influence to protect these returns and limit competition. A notable consequence of rising electricity prices is the local backlash against the construction of data centers, which has led tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon to cancel projects in locations like Indianapolis and Wisconsin.
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Recent Trend
Third consecutive year of rising electricity prices, outpacing inflation
Price Variation
By country, locality, customer-base (residential, commercial, industrial, transportation)
Primary Influencing Factors
Cost of power generation, government taxes/subsidies, CO2 taxes, local weather patterns, transmission and distribution infrastructure, cost to build/finance/maintain/operate power plants and grid, financial return for for-profit utility owners/investors, availability of power plants and fuels, local fuel costs, pricing regulations
Lowest US State Price (2022)
8.24¢ per kWh in Wyoming
Highest US State Price (2022)
39.85¢ per kWh in Hawaii
Highest US State Price (2025)
39.36¢ per kWh in Hawaii
US Annual Average Retail Price (2022)
12.49¢ per kilowatthour (kWh)
US Annual Average Commercial Price (2022)
12.55¢ per kWh
US Annual Average Industrial Price (2022)
8.45¢ per kWh
US Annual Average Residential Price (2022)
15.12¢ per kWh
US Average Electricity Rate (October 2025)
15.22¢ per kWh
US Annual Average Transportation Price (2022)
11.66¢ per kWh
Lowest US State Average Electricity Rate (2025)
12.28¢ per kWh in Idaho
US Average Commercial Electricity Rate (October 2025)
12.96¢ per kWh
US Average Residential Electricity Rate (October 2025)
17.47¢ per kWh
Timeline
- The U.S. annual average retail price of electricity was about 12.49¢ per kWh. Prices ranged from 39.85¢ per kWh in Hawaii to 8.24¢ per kWh in Wyoming. (Source: Web Search - EIA)
2022
- Annual average retail electricity prices by major types of utility customers in the U.S. were: Residential 15.12¢/kWh, Commercial 12.55¢/kWh, Industrial 8.45¢/kWh, Transportation 11.66¢/kWh. (Source: Web Search - EIA)
2022
- Average US electricity rate was 12.57¢/kWh (first half). Residential rate was 16.84¢/kWh and Commercial rate was 12.41¢/kWh. (Source: Web Search - ElectricChoice)
2024-01-01
- Average US electricity rate rose to 13.17¢/kWh (first half). Residential rate was 17.47¢/kWh and Commercial rate was 12.96¢/kWh. (Source: Web Search - ElectricChoice)
2025-01-01
- The average electricity rate in the United States reached 15.22 cents per kWh. The average residential U.S. electricity price was 17.47 cents per kWh. (Source: Web Search - ElectricChoice, Choose Energy)
2025-10-01
- Rising electricity prices contribute to local backlash against data centers, leading tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon to cancel projects in Indianapolis and Wisconsin. (Source: Related Document)
Ongoing
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaElectricity pricing
Electricity pricing (also referred to as electricity tariffs or the price of electricity) can vary widely by country or by locality within a country. Electricity prices are dependent on many factors, such as the price of power generation, government taxes or subsidies, CO2 taxes, local weather patterns, transmission and distribution infrastructure, and multi-tiered industry regulation. The pricing or tariffs can also differ depending on the customer-base, typically by residential, commercial, and industrial connections. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), "Electricity prices generally reflect the cost to build, finance, maintain, and operate power plants and the electricity grid." Where pricing forecasting is the method by which a generator, a utility company, or a large industrial consumer can predict the wholesale prices of electricity with reasonable accuracy. Due to the complications of electricity generation, the cost to supply electricity varies minute by minute. Some utility companies are for-profit entities and their prices include a financial return for owners and investors. These utility companies can exercise their political power within existing legal and regulatory regimes to guarantee a financial return and reduce competition from other sources like a distributed generation.
Web Search Results
- Electricity explained Factors affecting electricity prices - EIA
In 2022, the U.S. annual average retail price of electricity was about 12.49¢ per kilowatthour (kWh).1 The annual average retail electricity prices by major types of utility customers in 2022 were: Residential15.12¢per kWh Commercial12.55¢per kWh Industrial8.45¢per kWh Transportation11.66¢per kWh ## Electricity prices vary by locality [...] Electricity prices vary by locality based on the availability of power plants and fuels, local fuel costs, and pricing regulations. In 2022, the annual average retail electricity price for all types of electric utility customers ranged from 39.85¢ per kWh in Hawaii to 8.24¢ per kWh in Wyoming.2 Prices in Hawaii are high relative to other states mainly because most of its electricity is generated with petroleum fuels that must be imported into the state. [...] ## Many factors influence electricity prices Electricity prices generally reflect the cost to build, finance, maintain, and operate power plants and the electricity grid (the complex system of power transmission and distribution lines). Some for-profit utilities also include a financial return for owners and shareholders in their electricity prices. Several key factors influence the price of electricity:
- Electricity Rates (October 2025)
Image 6: Freepoint Energy Solutions Logo Image 7: Gexa Energy Logo Image 8: Next Era Energy Logo Image 9: Engie Logo Image 10: Clean Sky Energy Logo Image 11: Atlantic Energy Logo Home » Electricity Rates Electricity Rates Electricity rates vary by state, zip code, building type (home or business), and consumption. As of October 2025, the average electricity rate in the United States is 15.22 cents per kWh. Electricity Prices (kWh) by State [...] Recent Trends This is the third consecutive year of electricity prices (per kWh) have risen and outgained the pace of inflation. Here’s a YOY breakdown of how current electricity rates (first half of 2025) compare with rates from last year: Average: 12.57¢/kWh (2024) vs.13.17¢/kWh (2025) → + 4.8% Residential: 16.84¢/kWh (2024) vs. 17.47¢/kWh (2025) → + 3.7% Commercial: 12.41¢/kWh (2024) vs. 12.96¢/kWh (2025) → + 4.4% Rates for Deregulated States [...] _Source: Internal/proprietary data collected and cataloged from utilities and energy providers, and EIA_ Map of Average Electricity Rates by State Here’s a map of average electricity rates by state — the darker the state is shaded, the more expensive the electricity: Image 12: Electricity Rates (October 2025) Commercial Electricity Rates The average commercial electricity rate in the U.S. is 12.96 ¢/kWh cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Learn more about electricity pricing for businesses →
- Electricity Rates by State | October 2025 - Choose Energy
Do you live in a deregulated area and want to sign up for a new energy plan? Enter your ZIP code on this page to explore available electricity rates in your area today. Where you live affects your electricity rate According to the latest data available from the EIA, the average residential U.S. electricity price is 17.47 cents per kWh. The national average increased by 5.11% compared with the previous year. [...] The average residential electricity rate in the U.S. is 17.47 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The October Choose Energy Electricity Rates Report shows you the cost of electricity per kWh by state based on the latest electricity prices from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Knowing how electricity rates fluctuate and change can help you understand your electricity bill or decide to switch to a new energy plan. [...] Idaho currently pays the cheapest residential electricity rates in the country – 12.48 cents per kWh. Meanwhile, Hawaii’s electricity rates are the highest, at 39.36 cents per kWh. Electricity rates by state The October 2025 Choose Energy rates report
- Electricity Rates for Every State in The US - EnergyBot
The Average Electricity Rate in the U.S. is 17.47 cents per kilowatt-hour. Hawaii has the highest average electricity rate of 39.36 cents per kilowatt-hour. Idaho has the lowest average electricity rate of 12.28 cents per kilowatt-hour. Electricity Cost per kWh By State Map Hover over a state to see the average rate and percent change in energy pricing. Average Electricity Rate in Each State This chart shows the average kWh price for each state. Rates updated daily. [...] | State | Current Month | Previous Month | --- | North Dakota | 7.8¢ | 8.05¢ | | Texas | 9.03¢ | 8.6¢ | | Idaho | 9.59¢ | 9¢ | | Nebraska | 9.66¢ | 9.35¢ | | North Carolina | 9.71¢ | 9.76¢ | Last Updated at: September 2025 States with the Most Expensive Electricity Rates per kWh This chart shows the states with the highest average kWh price. Rates updated daily. ### Highest Residential Rates: [...] | State | Current Month | Previous Month | --- | North Dakota | 7.8¢ | 8.05¢ | | Texas | 9.03¢ | 8.6¢ | | Idaho | 9.59¢ | 9¢ | | Nebraska | 9.66¢ | 9.35¢ | | North Carolina | 9.71¢ | 9.76¢ | | Nevada | 9.73¢ | 8.8¢ | | Oklahoma | 9.91¢ | 9.77¢ | | Wyoming | 10.16¢ | 9.78¢ | | Utah | 10.46¢ | 10.58¢ | | Virginia | 10.47¢ | 9.66¢ | | Arkansas | 10.54¢ | 10.84¢ | | South Carolina | 10.92¢ | 11¢ | | West Virginia | 11.19¢ | 11.49¢ | | Oregon | 11.29¢ | 11.6¢ | | Florida | 11.39¢ | 11.48¢ |
- 8 Key Factors That Impact Electricity Prices
1. Cost of Fuels: Electricity has to be generated and delivered, and these processes take energy supplied by fuels. As you probably know, fuel prices vary, which in turn affects the cost of electricity. 2. Power Plant Costs: Like anything else, power plants need to be built and maintained. That, plus the operating costs, have an impact on electricity prices.