Updated with EIA data for August 2026
In August 2026, the average residential electricity rate in Illinois was 19.32¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh), 6% higher than the US average of 18.16¢. That makes Illinois the 18th most expensive of the 50 states and DC. Prices rose 7.2% from August 2025 (18.03¢).
| Year | Avg rate | Avg monthly bill | Avg monthly use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (8 mo) | 19.23¢ | $140 | 726 kWh |
| 2025 | 17.67¢ | $127 | 716 kWh |
| 2024 | 15.87¢ | $110 | 693 kWh |
| 2023 | 15.71¢ | $105 | 669 kWh |
| 2022 | 15.65¢ | $113 | 720 kWh |
| 2021 | 13.18¢ | $96 | 728 kWh |
| 2020 | 13.04¢ | $94 | 721 kWh |
| 2019 | 13.03¢ | $92 | 709 kWh |
| 2018 | 12.77¢ | $95 | 744 kWh |
| 2017 | 12.95¢ | $90 | 692 kWh |
Rates are weighted by kWh sold. Bills and usage are averages per residential customer.
| Sector | Rate | A year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | 19.32¢ | 18.03¢ |
| Commercial | 14.67¢ | 13.94¢ |
| Industrial | 11.33¢ | 10.18¢ |
| Transportation | 11.14¢ | 7.55¢ |
| All sectors | 15.44¢ | 14.31¢ |
At Illinois's 12-month average residential rate of 18.91¢ 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 | Illinois | US average |
|---|---|---|
| 250 kWh | $47.28 | $45.40 |
| 500 kWh | $94.55 | $90.80 |
| 750 kWh | $141.83 | $136.20 |
| 1,000 kWh | $189.10 | $181.60 |
| 1,500 kWh | $283.65 | $272.40 |
| 2,000 kWh | $378.20 | $363.20 |
Over the last 12 months, the average residential rate ranged from 16.36¢ (January 2026) to 23.85¢ (May 2026), and homes used the most electricity in July 2026 (1,005 kWh on average).
| Month | Avg rate | Avg bill | Avg use |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 19.32¢ | $171 | 886 kWh |
| July 2026 | 19.22¢ | $193 | 1,005 kWh |
| June 2026 | 19.89¢ | $143 | 718 kWh |
| May 2026 | 23.85¢ | $123 | 514 kWh |
| April 2026 | 20.47¢ | $110 | 538 kWh |
| March 2026 | 18.85¢ | $115 | 612 kWh |
| February 2026 | 17.83¢ | $128 | 719 kWh |
| January 2026 | 16.36¢ | $133 | 812 kWh |
| December 2025 | 17.05¢ | $130 | 763 kWh |
| November 2025 | 18.28¢ | $105 | 572 kWh |
| October 2025 | 18.70¢ | $107 | 572 kWh |
| September 2025 | 19.01¢ | $124 | 653 kWh |
Illinois's 12-month average rate is higher than all of its neighbors.
| State | 12-mo avg rate | Avg monthly bill | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 18.91¢ | $132 | #16 |
| Iowa | 14.20¢ | $120 | #37 |
| Indiana | 16.90¢ | $157 | #21 |
| Kentucky | 13.94¢ | $154 | #41 |
| Missouri | 13.97¢ | $145 | #40 |
| Wisconsin | 18.79¢ | $125 | #17 |
| 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–$0.95 |
| 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–$1.04 |
| 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 Illinois
Illinois 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 Chicago produces about 1,308 kWh a year (NREL PVWatts). Sized for an average Illinois home, a 6.4 kW system would cost about $16,448 before any incentives and pay for itself in about 10.6 years. See the full Illinois solar estimate.
Switching ProvidersCompare alternative retail electric suppliers on the ICC's Plug In Illinois site, check your utility's price to compare, and know your 10-day rescission right.
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 Illinois was 19.32¢ per kWh in August 2026. Over the past 12 months it averaged 18.91¢ per kWh.
The average residential customer in Illinois paid $171 for 886 kWh in August 2026, based on EIA revenue, sales and customer counts.
In August 2026, Illinois's average rate of 19.32¢ was 6% higher than the US average of 18.16¢.
Yes, Illinois 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.