Average electricity cost in Washington
Average residential electricity rate and typical bill in Washington. Figures come from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2023 annual average.
10.98cents/kWh
- Typical use
- 977 kWh/mo
- Typical bill
- $107.27/mo
The U.S. average is 16.00 cents/kWh, so Washington sits 31% below it.
Washington has one of the lowest residential rates in the country. Abundant federal hydropower marketed through the Bonneville Power Administration supplies cheap, low-carbon generation, which keeps prices well below the national average.
Cheap power makes electric heating common, so the typical Washington home uses more kilowatt-hours each month than the national average. Low rates on that higher usage still leave bills competitive with much of the country.
Public utility districts, Seattle City Light, Tacoma Power, and investor-owned Puget Sound Energy serve the state, many of them drawing directly on low-cost hydropower.
The electricity bill calculator opens with the Washington rate of 10.98 cents/kWh already filled in. Add your appliances and hours of use to see daily, monthly, and yearly costs.
EIA State Electricity Profiles, Washington, 2023 annual average.
Average residential sales per customer for Washington, derived from the same EIA dataset.
Released 2024-10-23; reviewed 2026-06-20.
National residential average over 855 kWh per month.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), State Electricity Profiles, Table 8. Sales to ultimate customers, revenue, and average price by sector (2023 annual average). Reviewed 2026-06-20. View the Washington profile.
- 1Start with the Washington residential rate: 10.98 cents/kWh, which is about 31% below the U.S. average of 16.00 cents/kWh.
- 2Take the typical local usage: 977 kWh per month.
- 3Multiply usage by the rate: 977 kWh x $0.1098 = $107.27 per month.
- 4Scale to a year: $107.27 x 12 = about $1,287 per year before taxes and fixed fees.
This covers energy only. Your real bill also includes fixed charges, taxes, and any plan-specific rates, which is why running your own numbers matters.
What is the average electricity rate in Washington?
The average residential electricity rate in Washington is 10.98 cents per kWh, about 31% below the U.S. average of 16.00 cents/kWh. That figure comes from the U.S. Energy Information Administration's State Electricity Profiles for 2023 annual average.
How much is a typical monthly electricity bill in Washington?
A Washington home using about 977 kWh a month pays roughly $107.27 for energy, or about $1,287 a year before taxes and fixed charges. Your own bill depends on your usage and plan.
Why is electricity priced the way it is in Washington?
Washington has one of the lowest residential rates in the country. Abundant federal hydropower marketed through the Bonneville Power Administration supplies cheap, low-carbon generation, which keeps prices well below the national average.
Why is Washington electricity so cheap?
The Columbia River hydropower system, marketed by the Bonneville Power Administration, supplies a large share of the state's electricity at low cost. That hydro base is the main reason Washington's residential rate stays among the lowest in the nation.