Quick Answer
Residential electricity rates across our 9-state coverage range from $0.14/kWh (PPL, Pennsylvania) to $0.35/kWh (Block Island, Rhode Island). New England states pay 50-90% above the national average of ~$0.17/kWh. Higher rates mean faster solar payback periods.
Electricity Rates by State: 2026 Tracker
Compare current residential electricity rates across 9 states. See which utilities are charging the most, how rates are trending, and what it means for your solar and heat pump savings.
9 States. 23 Utilities.
Real rates. Updated monthly.
Coverage Average
$0.27/kWh
Highest Rate
$0.35/kWh
Block Island, RI
Lowest Rate
$0.14/kWh
PPL, PA
States Tracked
9
23 utilities
Flat vs. Time-of-Use: Which Plan Wins?
Many utilities now offer a time-of-use (TOU) plan alongside the standard flat rate: cheaper power overnight, pricier power during the evening peak. Whether it saves you money depends on when you actually use electricity — and how much of your load you can shift. It pays off most for homes that add battery storage or charge an EV overnight; our EV charger finder can help there. Enter your utility's two plans below to see which comes out ahead.
Flat vs. time-of-use: which plan wins?
Enter the two plans your utility offers and describe your household. Everything below recalculates as you type.
How many hours a day your plan charges the on-peak rate.
Most TOU plans price weekends off-peak.
Find this on your utility bill.
Typical usage patterns — estimates. Pick the closest, then fine-tune below.
Drag to override the preset. This is the exact share of your monthly kWh we bill at the on-peak rate — the window and weekend settings only shape the 24-hour picture below, they don't change it.
Do you shift load off-peak?
Assumes ~200 kWh/mo of charging runs in off-peak hours.
Assumes up to ~250 kWh/mo of on-peak load is served off-peak, at ~90% round-trip efficiency.
On your numbers
the TOU plan saves you ≈ $29/mo
That's $351 a year. Flat plan $225/mo vs. TOU $196/mo at 225 kWh on-peak and 525 kWh off-peak.
Time-of-use plan
225 kWh × 45¢
525 kWh × 18¢
Flat plan
750 kWh × 30¢
One rate, every hour — no window to plan around. Simpler, but you never capture the cheaper off-peak price.
Your day on the TOU plan
An illustrative evening-peak shape — your utility's actual hours may differ.
Rates and windows come from your utility's current tariff — check your bill or utility website; we'll verify the right plan for your usage at your consultation.
Thinking about a battery or EV charger?
Storage and smart charging are what make a TOU plan pay off. We'll model it against your real rates.
Current Rates by State
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Maine
Rhode Island
Connecticut
Pennsylvania
Vermont
New Jersey
Texas
All Utilities Ranked by Rate
Every utility across our 9-state coverage, sorted from highest to lowest residential rate.
| Rank | Utility | State | Rate ($/kWh) | YoY Change | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unitil | MA | $0.48 | +60.5% | regulated |
| 2 | National Grid | MA | $0.42 | +61.6% | regulated |
| 3 | Eversource | MA | $0.37 | +37.9% | regulated |
| 4 | Block Island Power Company | RI | $0.35 | +2.9% | regulated |
| 5 | Versant Power | ME | $0.32 | +4.9% | regulated |
| 6 | Liberty Utilities | NH | $0.31 | +35.7% | regulated |
| 7 | NH Electric Co-op (NHEC) | NH | $0.30 | +11.2% | regulated |
| 8 | Eversource NH | NH | $0.29 | +22.8% | regulated |
| 9 | United Illuminating (UI) | CT | $0.29 | +8.3% | regulated |
| 10 | Unitil NH | NH | $0.29 | +27.2% | regulated |
| 11 | Rhode Island Energy | RI | $0.27 | +0.5% | regulated |
| 12 | Central Maine Power (CMP) | ME | $0.27 | +6.0% | regulated |
| 13 | Pascoag Utility District | RI | $0.26 | +4.8% | regulated |
| 14 | Eversource CT | CT | $0.25 | -2.3% | regulated |
| 15 | PSE&G | NJ | $0.23 | -19.1% | regulated |
| 16 | Green Mountain Power (GMP) | VT | $0.21 | +2.8% | regulated |
| 17 | PECO Energy | PA | $0.21 | -19.8% | regulated |
| 18 | Vermont Electric Co-op (VEC) | VT | $0.19 | +2.7% | regulated |
| 19 | PPL Electric Utilities | PA | $0.18 | +2.9% | regulated |
| 20 | Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) | NJ | $0.17 | -15.5% | regulated |
| 21 | Burlington Electric Department (BED) | VT | $0.17 | +3.0% | regulated |
| 22 | Atlantic City Electric (ACE) | NJ | $0.16 | -16.8% | regulated |
| 23 | Texas Average (ERCOT) | TX | $0.15 | +11.8% | deregulated |
Why Electricity Rates Matter for Clean Energy
Solar Payback
Every $0.01/kWh increase in your rate reduces solar payback by 3-6 months. At $0.30+/kWh, solar pays for itself in under 9 years even without the ITC (expired Dec 2025).
Rate Protection
Solar locks in your electricity cost for 25+ years. With rates rising 4-10% annually across New England, a system installed today protects against decades of increases.
Heat Pump Savings
Heat pump efficiency (COP 3.0+) means $1 of electricity delivers $3+ of heating. Even at $0.28/kWh, heat pumps beat oil and propane in most NE states.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state has the highest electricity rates in 2026?
How much have electricity rates increased in New England?
Which utility charges the most per kWh in 2026?
How do electricity rates affect solar panel payback?
Are electricity rates going up or down in 2026?
What is the average residential electricity rate in the US in 2026?
Tired of Rising Electricity Rates?
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