Enter your monthly kWh, pick your state's average rate and add any fixed charge from your bill. See the monthly and annual cost and how it compares with the average household.
Updated October 2026 · Free · No sign-up
Estimate your monthly electric bill
Estimated monthly bill
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Item
Amount
Comparison (your fixed charge added)
Monthly
Annual
Bill = kWh × rate + fixed charge. State rates are average residential prices (EIA, July 2026); the 899 kWh default is the EIA's 2022 average of 10,791 kWh a year per residential customer, divided by 12. Taxes, riders, tiered or time-of-use pricing and seasonal swings are not modeled, so treat the result as a planning number and check it against a real bill.
How the math works
The monthly bill is your kWh times the rate, plus the fixed charge. The annual cost is twelve times that. The all-in cost per kWh divides the total by your usage, so a fixed charge makes low-usage months cost more per kWh. For the comparison, the US average household is 899 kWh a month at 18.31¢, with your fixed charge added so the two bills are like for like.
What this calculator assumes
Rates. State rates are the EIA's average residential prices for July 2026 (Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A). A single month's average can differ from your plan, and your own utility may charge more or less than the state average.
Usage. The 899 kWh default is the EIA's 2022 figure for the average residential customer. It is a national average; your home may be well above or below it, and usage varies by season.
Flat pricing. The estimate uses one rate for every kWh. Tiered, time-of-use and demand pricing are not modeled, and neither are taxes and riders.
Comparison rows. The cheapest and most expensive state rows apply those states' average rates to your kWh and fixed charge. They show the spread in rates, not what you would pay if you moved, because usage and fixed charges differ by place.
Our arithmetic: about 899 kWh a month (the EIA's 2022 average of 10,791 kWh a year per residential customer, divided by 12) at the 18.31¢ July 2026 average rate comes to roughly $165 a month. That is an illustration from two EIA figures from different periods, not an official average bill.
How do I find my kWh usage?
Look for the usage line on your bill, usually labelled kWh used, and compare it with the same month last year. Many utilities also show a 12-month usage chart or let you download the data. Use kWh, not dollars, in this calculator.
What is a fixed monthly charge?
A customer, service or basic charge that your utility adds regardless of how much power you use. If your bill lists one, enter it. If you are not sure, leave it at zero and divide your bill total by your kWh to see your all-in rate instead.
Why is my real bill different from the estimate?
The estimate multiplies kWh by one flat rate. Real bills can include tiered or time-of-use pricing, taxes, fuel adjustments and riders, and your usage changes with the seasons. If your bill is much higher than the estimate, see why your electric bill may be so high.
Which state has the cheapest and most expensive electricity?
In the EIA's July 2026 data, Louisiana has the lowest average residential rate at 12.72¢ per kWh and Hawaii the highest at 48.00¢. The calculator reprices your kWh at both so you can see the spread. Bills also depend on how much power households in each state actually use.
