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 Oregon was 15.92¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh), 12% lower than the US average of 18.16¢. That makes Oregon the 29th most expensive of the 50 states and DC. Prices rose 0.4% from August 2025 (15.85¢).
| Year | Avg rate | Avg monthly bill | Avg monthly use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (8 mo) | 15.46¢ | $132 | 853 kWh |
| 2025 | 15.46¢ | $134 | 866 kWh |
| 2024 | 14.70¢ | $130 | 882 kWh |
| 2023 | 12.73¢ | $118 | 924 kWh |
| 2022 | 11.42¢ | $108 | 946 kWh |
| 2021 | 11.37¢ | $106 | 936 kWh |
| 2020 | 11.17¢ | $102 | 916 kWh |
| 2019 | 11.01¢ | $100 | 911 kWh |
| 2018 | 10.98¢ | $99 | 901 kWh |
| 2017 | 10.66¢ | $103 | 969 kWh |
Rates are weighted by kWh sold. Bills and usage are averages per residential customer.
| Sector | Rate | A year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | 15.92¢ | 15.85¢ |
| Commercial | 10.72¢ | 9.84¢ |
| Industrial | 8.75¢ | 8.44¢ |
| Transportation | 13.89¢ | 13.92¢ |
| All sectors | 11.78¢ | 11.39¢ |
At Oregon's 12-month average residential rate of 15.53¢ 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 | Oregon | US average |
|---|---|---|
| 250 kWh | $38.83 | $45.40 |
| 500 kWh | $77.65 | $90.80 |
| 750 kWh | $116.48 | $136.20 |
| 1,000 kWh | $155.30 | $181.60 |
| 1,500 kWh | $232.95 | $272.40 |
| 2,000 kWh | $310.60 | $363.20 |
Over the last 12 months, the average residential rate ranged from 14.63¢ (February 2026) to 16.32¢ (June 2026), and homes used the most electricity in January 2026 (1,139 kWh on average).
| Month | Avg rate | Avg bill | Avg use |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 15.92¢ | $135 | 847 kWh |
| July 2026 | 15.97¢ | $137 | 859 kWh |
| June 2026 | 16.32¢ | $120 | 735 kWh |
| May 2026 | 16.27¢ | $110 | 678 kWh |
| April 2026 | 15.78¢ | $118 | 745 kWh |
| March 2026 | 14.88¢ | $130 | 874 kWh |
| February 2026 | 14.63¢ | $139 | 947 kWh |
| January 2026 | 14.65¢ | $167 | 1,139 kWh |
| December 2025 | 15.02¢ | $153 | 1,020 kWh |
| November 2025 | 15.66¢ | $131 | 839 kWh |
| October 2025 | 16.23¢ | $118 | 728 kWh |
| September 2025 | 16.04¢ | $114 | 709 kWh |
Oregon's 12-month average rate is higher than 3 of its 4 neighbors.
| State | 12-mo avg rate | Avg monthly bill | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 15.53¢ | $131 | #28 |
| California | 32.34¢ | $164 | #2 |
| Idaho | 12.77¢ | $116 | #49 |
| Nevada | 13.45¢ | $122 | #46 |
| Washington | 14.20¢ | $132 | #38 |
| Appliance | Typical wattage | Cost per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Space heater | 750–1,500 W | $0.12–$0.23 |
| Refrigerator | 725 W | $0.11 |
| Clothes dryer | 1,800–5,000 W | $0.28–$0.78 |
| Washing machine | 350–500 W | $0.05–$0.08 |
| Dishwasher | 1,200–2,400 W | $0.19–$0.37 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500–5,500 W | $0.70–$0.85 |
| Microwave | 750–1,100 W | $0.12–$0.17 |
| Window fan | 55–250 W | $0.01–$0.04 |
All appliance costs · Appliance cost calculator for Oregon
In Oregon, 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.
Each kW of solar panels in Portland produces about 1,121 kWh a year (NREL PVWatts). Sized for an average Oregon home, a 9.2 kW system would cost about $23,644 before any incentives and pay for itself in about 15.3 years. See the full Oregon solar estimate.
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The average residential electricity rate in Oregon was 15.92¢ per kWh in August 2026. Over the past 12 months it averaged 15.53¢ per kWh.
The average residential customer in Oregon paid $135 for 847 kWh in August 2026, based on EIA revenue, sales and customer counts.
In August 2026, Oregon's average rate of 15.92¢ was 12% lower than the US average of 18.16¢.
Generally no. Most Oregon 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.