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 Michigan was 22.99¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh), 27% higher than the US average of 18.16¢. That makes Michigan the 13th most expensive of the 50 states and DC. Prices rose 10.9% from August 2025 (20.73¢).
| Year | Avg rate | Avg monthly bill | Avg monthly use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (8 mo) | 21.73¢ | $142 | 655 kWh |
| 2025 | 20.03¢ | $127 | 635 kWh |
| 2024 | 19.30¢ | $119 | 618 kWh |
| 2023 | 18.84¢ | $114 | 603 kWh |
| 2022 | 17.86¢ | $116 | 652 kWh |
| 2021 | 17.54¢ | $118 | 670 kWh |
| 2020 | 16.26¢ | $110 | 676 kWh |
| 2019 | 15.74¢ | $100 | 637 kWh |
| 2018 | 15.45¢ | $104 | 671 kWh |
| 2017 | 15.40¢ | $97 | 633 kWh |
Rates are weighted by kWh sold. Bills and usage are averages per residential customer.
| Sector | Rate | A year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | 22.99¢ | 20.73¢ |
| Commercial | 16.21¢ | 14.85¢ |
| Industrial | 8.99¢ | 8.40¢ |
| Transportation | 17.07¢ | 14.00¢ |
| All sectors | 16.71¢ | 15.23¢ |
At Michigan's 12-month average residential rate of 21.28¢ 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 | Michigan | US average |
|---|---|---|
| 250 kWh | $53.20 | $45.40 |
| 500 kWh | $106.40 | $90.80 |
| 750 kWh | $159.60 | $136.20 |
| 1,000 kWh | $212.80 | $181.60 |
| 1,500 kWh | $319.20 | $272.40 |
| 2,000 kWh | $425.60 | $363.20 |
Over the last 12 months, the average residential rate ranged from 19.52¢ (January 2026) to 23.05¢ (July 2026), and homes used the most electricity in July 2026 (914 kWh on average).
| Month | Avg rate | Avg bill | Avg use |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 22.99¢ | $172 | 750 kWh |
| July 2026 | 23.05¢ | $211 | 914 kWh |
| June 2026 | 22.99¢ | $151 | 656 kWh |
| May 2026 | 22.01¢ | $115 | 524 kWh |
| April 2026 | 21.39¢ | $108 | 506 kWh |
| March 2026 | 21.19¢ | $122 | 577 kWh |
| February 2026 | 19.99¢ | $120 | 600 kWh |
| January 2026 | 19.52¢ | $140 | 716 kWh |
| December 2025 | 19.54¢ | $136 | 698 kWh |
| November 2025 | 19.95¢ | $111 | 556 kWh |
| October 2025 | 20.47¢ | $106 | 520 kWh |
| September 2025 | 21.22¢ | $117 | 549 kWh |
Michigan's 12-month average rate is higher than all of its neighbors.
| State | 12-mo avg rate | Avg monthly bill | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 21.28¢ | $134 | #13 |
| Indiana | 16.90¢ | $157 | #21 |
| Ohio | 18.41¢ | $159 | #18 |
| Wisconsin | 18.79¢ | $125 | #17 |
| Appliance | Typical wattage | Cost per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Space heater | 750–1,500 W | $0.16–$0.32 |
| Refrigerator | 725 W | $0.15 |
| Clothes dryer | 1,800–5,000 W | $0.38–$1.06 |
| Washing machine | 350–500 W | $0.07–$0.11 |
| Dishwasher | 1,200–2,400 W | $0.26–$0.51 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500–5,500 W | $0.96–$1.17 |
| Microwave | 750–1,100 W | $0.16–$0.23 |
| Window fan | 55–250 W | $0.01–$0.05 |
All appliance costs · Appliance cost calculator for Michigan
In Michigan, 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 Michigan was 22.99¢ per kWh in August 2026. Over the past 12 months it averaged 21.28¢ per kWh.
The average residential customer in Michigan paid $172 for 750 kWh in August 2026, based on EIA revenue, sales and customer counts.
In August 2026, Michigan's average rate of 22.99¢ was 27% higher than the US average of 18.16¢.
Generally no. Most Michigan 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.