The short version: your distribution utility is fixed by address and cannot be chosen anywhere in the US.
In 15 states (+DC where applicable) you can choose who supplies the electricity itself, and in
16 states the gas supply — you save only when an offer beats your utility's price to compare. Rates differ
3.7× between the cheapest and most expensive states, and by hundreds of dollars a year between
neighboring utilities in the same state. Per unit of heat, utility natural gas is currently the cheapest widely available
heating fuel in most states; heat pumps close most of the electric gap.
All questions
- Can I choose my electric company?
- Not the wires company — distribution territory is fixed by address everywhere in the US. 15 states (including DC) allow residential electric supply choice and 16 allow gas supply choice; there you may buy the supply portion from a licensed competitor.
- What is a price to compare?
- The default supply rate your utility charges if you do not shop — printed on your bill in choice states. A competitive offer only saves money while its rate is below the price to compare for the same period; check term length, variable-rate resets, and exit fees.
- Why do electricity rates differ so much between utilities?
- Each utility's average reflects its own generation or purchased-power costs, delivery infrastructure, storm and wildfire costs, customer density, and state policy riders. Adjacent territories can differ by 5+ cents/kWh — hundreds of dollars a year at typical usage.
- Is gas or electric heat cheaper?
- Per million BTU nationally, utility gas runs about $15 versus $52 for electric resistance heat. A heat pump at seasonal COP 2.5-3 delivers heat near $19/MMBTU, competitive with gas in mild climates and cheap-power states.
- Is heating oil more expensive than natural gas?
- Yes — about 2.8x per BTU at current national prices ($39.96 vs $14.53 per MMBTU). Oil-heated homes in the Northeast commonly burn 600-800 gallons a year, so the gap is worth thousands of dollars annually.
- How much is the average US electric bill?
- At the national average of 17.65 cents/kWh (February 2026) and typical usage of 900 kWh/month, about $159 per month — $1906 per year. State averages range widely; see the national table.
- Do third-party supplier offers actually save money?
- Only when the contracted rate stays below your utility's price to compare. Fixed-rate offers can lock in savings; teaser and variable rates often reset higher after a few months. State commissions publish complaint data — always compare on the official state shopping site, never from a door-to-door pitch.
- Where do these numbers come from?
- Federal regulatory filings: EIA Form 861 (every utility's annual revenue, sales, and customers — the all-in average price customers actually paid), EIA monthly and weekly fuel-price series, the OpenEI Utility Rate Database, and state utility-commission registries. The methodology page documents every formula and vintage.
- How often is this data updated?
- Monthly for state electricity and gas prices, weekly in winter for heating oil and propane, annually (~October) for utility-level EIA-861 rates, and semiannually for the retail-choice registry.
Find your state
- Alabama electricity rates
- Alaska electricity rates
- Arizona electricity rates
- Arkansas electricity rates
- California electricity rates
- Colorado electricity rates
- Connecticut electricity rates
- Delaware electricity rates
- District of Columbia electricity rates
- Florida electricity rates
- Georgia electricity rates
- Hawaii electricity rates
- Idaho electricity rates
- Illinois electricity rates
- Indiana electricity rates
- Iowa electricity rates
- Kansas electricity rates
- Kentucky electricity rates
- Louisiana electricity rates
- Maine electricity rates
- Maryland electricity rates
- Massachusetts electricity rates
- Michigan electricity rates
- Minnesota electricity rates
- Mississippi electricity rates
- Missouri electricity rates
- Montana electricity rates
- Nebraska electricity rates
- Nevada electricity rates
- New Hampshire electricity rates
- New Jersey electricity rates
- New Mexico electricity rates
- New York electricity rates
- North Carolina electricity rates
- North Dakota electricity rates
- Ohio electricity rates
- Oklahoma electricity rates
- Oregon electricity rates
- Pennsylvania electricity rates
- Rhode Island electricity rates
- South Carolina electricity rates
- South Dakota electricity rates
- Tennessee electricity rates
- Texas electricity rates
- Utah electricity rates
- Vermont electricity rates
- Virginia electricity rates
- Washington electricity rates
- West Virginia electricity rates
- Wisconsin electricity rates
- Wyoming electricity rates
About these numbers. Rates shown are averages computed from federal regulatory filings (EIA Form 861)
and public tariff databases — confirm with your utility before making decisions; your actual rate depends on your tariff,
usage, and riders. Distribution utility is determined by address and generally cannot be chosen; in retail-choice states
you may choose your supplier for the supply portion of the bill. Savings figures use 10,800 kWh/yr
(US average residential usage) and are estimates, not quotes. EnergySavings is an independent data project by CertiHomes
and is not affiliated with any utility, supplier, or government agency.