New research has revealed the states that are expected to have the highest electricity bills this year, with Connecticut coming in fourth with an annual projected electricity bill of $2,362.28.
The study, conducted by electricity experts Texas Electricity Ratings, analyzed state-by-state Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) data to predict the annual electricity bill across the country. By comparing consumer costs between November 2022 and 2023, an annual increase was calculated for each state, determining a total bill for each household.
Hawaii stands out as the state with the highest projected annual electricity bill, totaling $3,450.55 per household. Despite consuming 24.5% less electricity than the national average, it bore the highest cost per kilowatt-hour nationwide last year at 43.53 cents. With expenses 2.6 times higher than the national average, residents in Hawaii are expected to pay $287.54 per month at their current consumption rates.
Maine is projected to face the second-highest household electricity bill at $2,383.75, costing 30% less than Hawaii. Despite consuming 1.5 times less electricity annually than the national average, the state is expected to undergo the most substantial price increase among all states at 23.35%. Florida, expected to reach $2,367.14 this year, is also anticipating a price hike of 10%. With their 2023 bill estimated at around $2151.66, residents will now be paying about 16.9 cents per kilowatt-hour. Connecticut follows closely, with residents facing a cost of $2,362.28, a mere $5 less than Maine, yet $264.13 more than the previous year. Lastly in the top five, Rhode Island is set to incur a charge of approximately $2,361.85, which is 36.5% more than the national average.
Rounding out the top 10 are Maryland at $2,265.19, California at $2,196.94, Arizona at $2,190.60, Nevada at $2,132.50 and Alabama at $2,064.63. The states with the best – that is to say least – electricity costs are mainly Rocky Mountain states, with Utah leading the way. (New York finished 34th, with an estimated electricity cost of $1,508.89 this year.)
A spokesperson for Texas Electricity Ratings said, “Where household electricity bills increased an average of 3.38% across the nation in 2023, consumers must gain insight into the factors shaping their electricity bills, going beyond the total costs for 2024.
“To navigate these changes effectively, households can consider embracing more energy-efficient practices. Simple adjustments, such as optimizing refrigerator and freezer temperatures, reducing shower duration and incorporating energy-efficient lighting options like LEDs or motion-sensor lights, can significantly diminish electricity bills. Even choosing to launder clothes in warm or cold water, as opposed to hot water, makes an impactful step toward achieving both financial savings and environmental sustainability.”
