What this calculator does
Your electric bill is mostly the electricity you use, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), times the price per kWh, plus a fixed monthly charge that many utilities add. Pick your state to use the average price homes paid there in the latest month the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has published, or type the price from your own bill. The calculator shows the monthly and yearly bill, what each appliance costs to run, and what the same use would cost in every state.
How it is worked out
Monthly bill = kWh × price per kWh + fixed charge. Example: 900 kWh at 17.50¢ a kWh is $157.50 of energy; with a $10 fixed charge, the bill is $167.50, or $2,010 a year at that rate. For an appliance, Energy.gov's formula is watts × hours used a day ÷ 1,000 = kWh a day; a 1,500-watt space heater used 4 hours a day for 30 days uses 180 kWh, which costs $31.50 at 17.50¢.
EIA's state price is the average revenue per kWh from home customers, so it already spreads fixed charges and taxes over each kWh. That makes it a good guide for comparing states, but for your own bill the price on your bill is closer. Prices also change month to month, and many states cost more in summer.
Ways to lower the bill
- Find the biggest users in the appliance table: heating, cooling and water heating usually matter most.
- Ask your utility about time-of-use plans if you can move laundry or dishwashing to off-peak hours.
- Check your state's energy assistance office if bills are hard to pay; the heating cost calculator links to help.
Frequently asked questions
How many kWh does a typical home use?
EIA says the average U.S. home customer bought 10,791 kWh in 2022, about 899 kWh a month. Your bill shows your own use, and it changes with the season.
Where do the state prices come from?
From EIA's monthly data on electricity sold to homes in each state (average price in cents per kWh). The page shows which month the price is for.
Why is my bill different from the estimate?
Utilities use different rate plans: tiers, time-of-use prices, delivery charges, taxes and fees. Type the price per kWh and the fixed charge from your bill for a closer match.
How do I find an appliance's watts?
Look on the label on the back or bottom, or in the manual. If it lists amps and volts instead, multiply them: watts ≈ amps × volts. A plug-in electricity usage monitor can also measure it.
Is my information saved?
No. The numbers and appliance names stay on this page.