US kWh Cost Calculator
U.S. residential EIA benchmark: 18.34¢/kWh ($0.1834) — June 2026 (Table 5.6.A)
The US kWh Cost Calculator determines your effective all-inclusive electricity rate ($/kWh and ¢/kWh) by dividing your total utility bill by total kilowatt-hours used. It benchmarks your rate against state and national EIA averages and projects costs across standard usage tiers.
U.S. residential EIA benchmark: 18.34¢/kWh — June 2026
This is a state/national macroeconomic benchmark from EIA Table 5.6.A, not a guaranteed residential tariff. Your actual electric bill can vary by utility, electricity plan, usage band, fixed customer charges, fees, taxes, riders, and other applicable charges.
US kWh Cost Calculator
Determine your true all-in cost per kilowatt-hour and project costs across standard household usage tiers.
Editable. Enter your volumetric supply + delivery rate per kWh from your electric bill.
Defaults to $0 for pure volumetric electricity cost. Enter your utility's monthly/annual account fee if estimating a full bill.
Defaults to $0. Enter any specific municipal utility taxes or regulatory rider amounts from your bill.
Assumes electricity usage, rate, and fixed charges remain unchanged.
Volumetric Electricity Cost Quick-Lookup Table (1 kWh to 1,500 kWh)
Volumetric energy costs calculated at the approved U.S. residential EIA benchmark of 18.34¢/kWh ($0.1834) (June 2026 Table 5.6.A) alongside low-cost and high-cost state rate comparisons:
| Energy (kWh) | US Benchmark (18.34¢) | Low-Rate State (11.0¢) | High-Rate State (31.7¢) | Common Household Load Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kWh | $0.37 (36.7¢) | $0.22 | $0.63 | 2 hours microwave oven / 40 min hair dryer |
| 6 kWh | $1.10 | $0.66 | $1.90 | 4 hours 1,500W space heater / 2 loads electric dryer |
| 23 kWh | $4.22 | $2.53 | $7.29 | Typical 1-day whole-home energy in spring/autumn |
| 30 kWh | $5.50 | $3.30 | $9.51 | Average US daily household electricity consumption |
| 50 kWh | $9.17 | $5.50 | $15.85 | Full charge for 50 kWh EV battery (~170 miles) |
| 55 kWh | $10.09 | $6.05 | $17.44 | Monthly electricity for refrigerator + LED lighting |
| 100 kWh | $18.34 | $11.00 | $31.70 | Compact studio flat monthly power (no HVAC) |
| 150 kWh | $27.51 | $16.50 | $47.55 | 1-person apartment: fridge, lights, TV, laptop |
| 185 kWh | $33.93 | $20.35 | $58.65 | 1-2 person apartment with occasional window AC |
| 300 kWh | $55.02 | $33.00 | $95.10 | 2-bedroom condo or small home non-summer |
| 350 kWh | $64.19 | $38.50 | $110.95 | Monthly electric water heater consumption (3-4 people) |
| 500 kWh | $91.70 | $55.00 | $158.50 | Small house / energy-efficient townhouse |
| 800 kWh | $146.72 | $88.00 | $253.60 | Standard 3-bedroom single-family home monthly bill |
| 1,000 kWh | $183.40 | $110.00 | $317.00 | Central AC cooling month or electric heat pump |
| 1,100 kWh | $201.74 | $121.00 | $348.70 | High summer AC load or large 4-person suburban home |
| 1,500 kWh | $275.10 | $165.00 | $475.50 | Large home, all-electric heating, pool pump + EV |
Effective Cost per kWh Formula
Dividing total utility charges (including supply, delivery, customer fees, and taxes) by metered kilowatt-hours yields the true all-in cost per unit of electricity.
- Total Electric Bill ($): The gross amount due on your monthly electric utility statement.
- Total Consumption (kWh): The net kilowatt-hours of energy billed during the billing cycle.
- Effective Rate (¢/kWh): All-inclusive cost per kilowatt-hour expressed in US cents (Rate in $ × 100).
Worked Example: $165.00 Electric Bill for 899 kWh Usage
Calculating the true all-in cost per kilowatt-hour for a homeowner billed $165.00 for 899 kWh of metered power and comparing it against the EIA benchmark (18.34¢/kWh — June 2026):
Calculation Assumptions & Cost-Saving Strategies
- Includes both volumetric supply/delivery charges and any account fees present on the bill in the effective rate calculation.
- Higher fixed charges lead to higher effective per-kWh rates during low-consumption months.
Audit Your Electric Bill Surcharges
Check if your bill includes discretionary municipal utility fees, capacity riders, or opt-out green energy surcharges.
Compare Competitive Retail Energy Rates
In retail choice states (TX, PA, OH, IL, NY), compare Price-to-Compare (PTC) rates against licensed retail electric providers.
US State Electricity Benchmark Quick Reference (June 2026)
Official EIA Table 5.6.A residential average electricity benchmarks across major US states (June 2026):
Frequently Asked Questions: US kWh Cost Calculator
What is a good cost per kWh in the US? +
The national average is approximately 18.34¢/kWh (June 2026). Rates below 13¢/kWh (such as in Idaho, Utah, or Washington) are considered low, while rates above 25¢/kWh (in California, Hawaii, or parts of New England) are on the higher end.
Why is my effective rate higher than the supply rate listed on my bill? +
Your electric bill contains both supply charges (energy generation) and delivery charges (wires and transformers), plus fixed customer fees and taxes. The effective rate divides your whole bill by total kWh.
Authoritative Data Sources & Technical Mappings
Sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) (Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A (Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector)). Period: June 2026 (Verified: 2026-06).
Appliance energy test standards (10 CFR Part 430), annual kWh baseline certifications, and ENERGY STAR verified product databases.
HVAC seasonal ratings (SEER2 / EER2 / HSPF2 per ASHRAE 90.1 / 90.2), water heating Uniform Energy Factor (UEF), and fluid pump affinity laws.
Nameplate electrical ratings (120V / 240V circuits), power supply unit (PSU) 80 Plus load curves, and component surge/operating wattages.
Independent Consumer Disclaimer
ElectricityBillCalc.com is an independent consumer estimation resource. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any public utility or governmental regulatory agency. Actual residential power bills vary based on utility rate schedules, local taxes, time-of-use peak multipliers, and seasonal tariff adjustments.