The Electricity Index
Average price per kilowatt-hour, residential (U.S. City Average)
Last updated: · Data through July 2026
BLS put the U.S. City Average electricity price at 19.7¢/kWh in July 2026.
Then
2019
13.0¢/kWh
Now
2026
19.7¢/kWh
Change
2019–2026
+52%
↑ Rising
The Electricity Index: 2015–2026
Average price per kilowatt-hour, residential (U.S. City Average)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (FRED series APU000072610)keepingupwithinflation.com
Historical Datakeepingupwithinflation.com
| Year | Price | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ¢/kWh12.70 | — |
| 2016 | ¢/kWh12.80 | +0.8% |
| 2017 | ¢/kWh12.90 | +0.8% |
| 2018 | ¢/kWh12.90 | 0.0% |
| 2019 | ¢/kWh13.00 | +0.8% |
| 2020 | ¢/kWh13.20 | +1.5% |
| 2021 | ¢/kWh13.70 | +3.8% |
| 2022 | ¢/kWh15.00 | +9.5% |
| 2023 | ¢/kWh16.00 | +6.7% |
| 2024 | ¢/kWh16.50 | +3.1% |
| 2025 | ¢/kWh18.50 | +12.1% |
| 2026 | ¢/kWh19.70 | +6.5% |
Analysis
Residential electricity prices were nearly flat around 13¢/kWh from 2015 through 2019, then climbed sharply. BLS average-price data put the U.S. City Average at 19.7¢/kWh in July 2026, about 52% above the 2019 baseline.
Generation fuel, transmission investment, weather, regional capacity constraints, and rising demand all affect bills. Data-center demand can add local pressure, but its impact varies substantially by utility territory and rate design.
This is the BLS average consumer price per kilowatt-hour, including applicable taxes and fuel adjustments. Updated August 15, 2026.