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 Georgia was 15.90¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh), 12% lower than the US average of 18.16¢. That makes Georgia the 31st most expensive of the 50 states and DC. Prices rose 2.3% from August 2025 (15.55¢).
| Year | Avg rate | Avg monthly bill | Avg monthly use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (8 mo) | 15.48¢ | $176 | 1,134 kWh |
| 2025 | 14.74¢ | $159 | 1,077 kWh |
| 2024 | 14.08¢ | $151 | 1,074 kWh |
| 2023 | 13.69¢ | $142 | 1,035 kWh |
| 2022 | 13.80¢ | $151 | 1,096 kWh |
| 2021 | 12.51¢ | $134 | 1,072 kWh |
| 2020 | 12.02¢ | $130 | 1,081 kWh |
| 2019 | 11.76¢ | $132 | 1,121 kWh |
| 2018 | 11.47¢ | $131 | 1,142 kWh |
| 2017 | 11.90¢ | $126 | 1,062 kWh |
Rates are weighted by kWh sold. Bills and usage are averages per residential customer.
| Sector | Rate | A year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | 15.90¢ | 15.55¢ |
| Commercial | 13.81¢ | 11.16¢ |
| Industrial | 13.05¢ | 8.20¢ |
| Transportation | 12.80¢ | 13.03¢ |
| All sectors | 14.60¢ | 12.45¢ |
At Georgia's 12-month average residential rate of 15.17¢ 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 | Georgia | US average |
|---|---|---|
| 250 kWh | $37.93 | $45.40 |
| 500 kWh | $75.85 | $90.80 |
| 750 kWh | $113.78 | $136.20 |
| 1,000 kWh | $151.70 | $181.60 |
| 1,500 kWh | $227.55 | $272.40 |
| 2,000 kWh | $303.40 | $363.20 |
Over the last 12 months, the average residential rate ranged from 13.65¢ (December 2025) to 16.36¢ (June 2026), and homes used the most electricity in July 2026 (1,478 kWh on average).
| Month | Avg rate | Avg bill | Avg use |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 15.90¢ | $234 | 1,471 kWh |
| July 2026 | 16.27¢ | $240 | 1,478 kWh |
| June 2026 | 16.36¢ | $197 | 1,201 kWh |
| May 2026 | 15.84¢ | $149 | 942 kWh |
| April 2026 | 15.37¢ | $124 | 808 kWh |
| March 2026 | 15.01¢ | $127 | 844 kWh |
| February 2026 | 14.13¢ | $152 | 1,079 kWh |
| January 2026 | 14.45¢ | $180 | 1,248 kWh |
| December 2025 | 13.65¢ | $149 | 1,089 kWh |
| November 2025 | 14.40¢ | $122 | 846 kWh |
| October 2025 | 14.51¢ | $125 | 864 kWh |
| September 2025 | 15.28¢ | $166 | 1,089 kWh |
Georgia's 12-month average rate is higher than 2 of its 5 neighbors.
| State | 12-mo avg rate | Avg monthly bill | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 15.17¢ | $164 | #32 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $187 | #24 |
| Florida | 15.41¢ | $169 | #30 |
| North Carolina | 14.79¢ | $154 | #35 |
| South Carolina | 15.77¢ | $169 | #27 |
| Tennessee | 13.61¢ | $161 | #44 |
| Appliance | Typical wattage | Cost per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Space heater | 750–1,500 W | $0.11–$0.23 |
| Refrigerator | 725 W | $0.11 |
| Clothes dryer | 1,800–5,000 W | $0.27–$0.76 |
| Washing machine | 350–500 W | $0.05–$0.08 |
| Dishwasher | 1,200–2,400 W | $0.18–$0.36 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500–5,500 W | $0.68–$0.83 |
| Microwave | 750–1,100 W | $0.11–$0.17 |
| Window fan | 55–250 W | $0.01–$0.04 |
All appliance costs · Appliance cost calculator for Georgia
In Georgia, 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 Georgia was 15.90¢ per kWh in August 2026. Over the past 12 months it averaged 15.17¢ per kWh.
The average residential customer in Georgia paid $234 for 1,471 kWh in August 2026, based on EIA revenue, sales and customer counts.
In August 2026, Georgia's average rate of 15.90¢ was 12% lower than the US average of 18.16¢.
Generally no. Most Georgia 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.