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 Oklahoma was 14.82¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh), 18% lower than the US average of 18.16¢. That makes Oklahoma the 39th most expensive of the 50 states and DC. Prices rose 2.8% from August 2025 (14.42¢).
| Year | Avg rate | Avg monthly bill | Avg monthly use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (8 mo) | 13.81¢ | $158 | 1,141 kWh |
| 2025 | 13.21¢ | $141 | 1,064 kWh |
| 2024 | 12.24¢ | $132 | 1,079 kWh |
| 2023 | 12.08¢ | $129 | 1,069 kWh |
| 2022 | 12.44¢ | $144 | 1,155 kWh |
| 2021 | 11.00¢ | $120 | 1,088 kWh |
| 2020 | 10.12¢ | $109 | 1,078 kWh |
| 2019 | 10.21¢ | $114 | 1,116 kWh |
| 2018 | 10.30¢ | $117 | 1,139 kWh |
| 2017 | 10.61¢ | $110 | 1,039 kWh |
Rates are weighted by kWh sold. Bills and usage are averages per residential customer.
| Sector | Rate | A year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | 14.82¢ | 14.42¢ |
| Commercial | 10.90¢ | 10.00¢ |
| Industrial | 8.16¢ | 6.64¢ |
| Transportation | 0.00¢ | 0.00¢ |
| All sectors | 11.81¢ | 10.65¢ |
At Oklahoma's 12-month average residential rate of 13.81¢ 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 | Oklahoma | US average |
|---|---|---|
| 250 kWh | $34.53 | $45.40 |
| 500 kWh | $69.05 | $90.80 |
| 750 kWh | $103.58 | $136.20 |
| 1,000 kWh | $138.10 | $181.60 |
| 1,500 kWh | $207.15 | $272.40 |
| 2,000 kWh | $276.20 | $363.20 |
Over the last 12 months, the average residential rate ranged from 12.32¢ (December 2025) to 14.89¢ (September 2025), and homes used the most electricity in August 2026 (1,696 kWh on average).
| Month | Avg rate | Avg bill | Avg use |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 14.82¢ | $251 | 1,696 kWh |
| July 2026 | 14.35¢ | $229 | 1,598 kWh |
| June 2026 | 14.33¢ | $179 | 1,246 kWh |
| May 2026 | 13.38¢ | $120 | 896 kWh |
| April 2026 | 13.31¢ | $101 | 759 kWh |
| March 2026 | 13.57¢ | $109 | 800 kWh |
| February 2026 | 12.89¢ | $120 | 928 kWh |
| January 2026 | 12.62¢ | $152 | 1,205 kWh |
| December 2025 | 12.32¢ | $128 | 1,037 kWh |
| November 2025 | 13.42¢ | $101 | 750 kWh |
| October 2025 | 14.52¢ | $130 | 897 kWh |
| September 2025 | 14.89¢ | $162 | 1,086 kWh |
Oklahoma's 12-month average rate is higher than 1 of its 6 neighbors.
| State | 12-mo avg rate | Avg monthly bill | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | 13.81¢ | $149 | #43 |
| Arkansas | 13.57¢ | $143 | #45 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $167 | #20 |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ | $134 | #33 |
| Missouri | 13.97¢ | $145 | #40 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $162 | #23 |
| Texas | 15.98¢ | $178 | #26 |
| Appliance | Typical wattage | Cost per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Space heater | 750–1,500 W | $0.10–$0.21 |
| Refrigerator | 725 W | $0.10 |
| Clothes dryer | 1,800–5,000 W | $0.25–$0.69 |
| Washing machine | 350–500 W | $0.05–$0.07 |
| Dishwasher | 1,200–2,400 W | $0.17–$0.33 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500–5,500 W | $0.62–$0.76 |
| Microwave | 750–1,100 W | $0.10–$0.15 |
| Window fan | 55–250 W | $0.01–$0.03 |
All appliance costs · Appliance cost calculator for Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, 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 Oklahoma was 14.82¢ per kWh in August 2026. Over the past 12 months it averaged 13.81¢ per kWh.
The average residential customer in Oklahoma paid $251 for 1,696 kWh in August 2026, based on EIA revenue, sales and customer counts.
In August 2026, Oklahoma's average rate of 14.82¢ was 18% lower than the US average of 18.16¢.
Generally no. Most Oklahoma 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.