Electricity cost in Illinois
Short answer: Homes in Illinois pay an average of 19.22¢ per kWh for electricity (July 2026). That is 5% above the U.S. average of 18.31¢ and ranks number 17 of 51, where 1 is the most expensive. The average home here uses 693 kWh a month, which costs about $133.19 at that price.
Illinois electricity cost calculator
Start typing an appliance and pick it from the list, or describe it in a sentence. You can skip this and fill in the boxes yourself.
The calculator starts with a 1,500-watt space heater and the Illinois average price. Change the wattage and hours for your own appliance.
Uses 360.0 kWh per month. The starting price is the Illinois average; choose your state or type the price from your own bill.
My list
Add each appliance you use to estimate this part of your bill. The list is kept only in this browser.
| Appliance | Usage | Per month | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | |||
| Per year |
Illinois at a glance
Illinois has 5,392,477 residential electricity customers. In 2024 the average home used 693 kWh a month, 20% less than the U.S. average of 863 kWh and the 16th lowest in the country. The average monthly bill was $109.99, the 7th lowest, against a national average of $142.26.
Both the price and the amount used are below the national average, and the average bill is 23% below the national average.
What appliances cost to run in Illinois
Typical wattage and use for each appliance, at the Illinois average price of 19.22¢ per kWh, next to the same use at the U.S. average. Follow a link for the appliance's own calculator.
| Appliance | Typical use | Per month in Illinois | Per month, U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric furnace | 6 hours a day, 30 days a month | $518.94 | $494.37 |
| Central air conditioner | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $161.45 | $153.80 |
| Heat pump | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $138.38 | $131.83 |
| Electric water heater | 3 hours a day, 30 days a month | $77.84 | $74.16 |
| Space heater | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $69.19 | $65.92 |
| Pool pump | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $69.19 | $65.92 |
| Baseboard heater | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $69.19 | $65.92 |
| Electric car charger | 1.5 hours a day, 30 days a month | $62.27 | $59.32 |
| Portable air conditioner | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $55.35 | $52.73 |
| Window air conditioner | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $41.52 | $39.55 |
| Dehumidifier | 12 hours a day, 30 days a month | $34.60 | $32.96 |
| Hot tub | 4 hours a day, 30 days a month | $34.60 | $32.96 |
| Electric fireplace | 4 hours a day, 30 days a month | $34.60 | $32.96 |
| Clothes dryer | 60 minutes per use, 5 times a week | $12.49 | $11.90 |
| Gaming PC | 4 hours a day, 30 days a month | $9.23 | $8.79 |
| Electric stove | 45 minutes per use, 7 times a week | $8.75 | $8.33 |
| Electric oven | 60 minutes per use, 4 times a week | $7.66 | $7.30 |
| Air purifier | 24 hours a day, 30 days a month | $6.92 | $6.59 |
| Refrigerator | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $6.92 | $6.59 |
| Desktop computer | 6 hours a day, 30 days a month | $5.19 | $4.94 |
| Dishwasher | 120 minutes per use, 5 times a week | $5.00 | $4.76 |
| Chest freezer | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $4.61 | $4.39 |
| Electric blanket | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $4.61 | $4.39 |
| Mini fridge | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $3.69 | $3.52 |
| Ceiling fan | 12 hours a day, 30 days a month | $3.46 | $3.30 |
| Game console | 3 hours a day, 30 days a month | $3.46 | $3.30 |
| Box fan | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $3.46 | $3.30 |
| TV | 5 hours a day, 30 days a month | $2.88 | $2.75 |
| Humidifier | 10 hours a day, 30 days a month | $2.31 | $2.20 |
| Air fryer | 20 minutes per use, 5 times a week | $2.08 | $1.98 |
| Laptop | 6 hours a day, 30 days a month | $2.08 | $1.98 |
| Slow cooker | 360 minutes per use, 2 times a week | $2.00 | $1.90 |
| Electric pressure cooker | 45 minutes per use, 3 times a week | $1.87 | $1.79 |
| Electric kettle | 4 minutes per use, 21 times a week | $1.75 | $1.67 |
| Hair dryer | 10 minutes per use, 7 times a week | $1.75 | $1.67 |
| Washing machine | 45 minutes per use, 5 times a week | $1.56 | $1.49 |
| Microwave | 5 minutes per use, 14 times a week | $1.46 | $1.39 |
| Wi-Fi router | 24 hours a day, 30 days a month | $1.38 | $1.32 |
| String of Christmas lights | 6 hours a day, 30 days a month | $1.38 | $1.32 |
| Toaster oven | 20 minutes per use, 4 times a week | $1.33 | $1.27 |
| Coffee maker | 10 minutes per use, 7 times a week | $0.97 | $0.93 |
| Rice cooker | 30 minutes per use, 4 times a week | $0.83 | $0.79 |
| Vacuum cleaner | 30 minutes per use, 2 times a week | $0.83 | $0.79 |
| Clothes iron | 20 minutes per use, 2 times a week | $0.67 | $0.63 |
| LED light bulb | 5 hours a day, 30 days a month | $0.29 | $0.27 |
| Toaster | 3 minutes per use, 7 times a week | $0.26 | $0.25 |
What a monthly bill looks like
The table shows what different amounts of electricity cost at the latest Illinois price. Fixed monthly charges are already included in the average price, so a real bill for a small user is usually a little higher than shown and a large user's a little lower.
| Monthly use | Roughly | In Illinois | At the U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh | A small apartment or a home with gas heat | $96.10 | $91.55 |
| 693 kWh | The average home in Illinois (2024) | $133.19 | $126.89 |
| 863 kWh | The average U.S. home (2024) | $165.87 | $158.02 |
| 1,500 kWh | A large or all-electric home | $288.30 | $274.65 |
| 2,000 kWh | An all-electric home in its peak month | $384.40 | $366.20 |
Where the electricity in Illinois comes from
The largest source of the electricity generated in Illinois in 2024 was nuclear power, according to the Energy Information Administration's state profile. Nuclear plants are expensive to build but cheap and steady to run, so they tend to hold prices stable. They run around the clock regardless of the weather or the price of gas.
The state's power plants generated 185.0 million MWh in 2024, more than the 133.2 million MWh sold to customers in the state, so it produces more electricity than it uses.
How the climate shapes bills
Winters are long and cold. Most homes heat with natural gas or heating oil, so electricity use is steadier across the year than in the South, with a modest summer rise from air conditioning. Homes that heat with electricity see their highest bills in January and February.
That is why the same price per kWh can produce very different bills in two homes: the price tells you what each kWh costs, and the weather and your heating and cooling equipment decide how many you use. To see the effect of one appliance, compare a window air conditioner, a space heater and a heat pump in the table above.
Can you choose your electricity supplier?
Yes. Illinois is one of the places where households can choose the company that supplies their electricity, while the local utility still delivers it. If you have signed up with a supplier, the price on your bill can be noticeably higher or lower than the state average shown here. Check the supply rate on your latest bill and type it into the calculator. The Energy Information Administration counts 13 states and the District of Columbia with active residential retail choice programs, plus Texas, where choosing a retail provider is mandatory in most of the state.
Illinois compared with nearby states
Average residential prices for July 2026, with the rank among the 50 states and D.C. and the cost of 900 kWh. The full table covers every state, and our guide explains why prices differ so much between states.
| State | Price per kWh | Rank | Cost of 900 kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 19.22¢ | 17 | $172.98 |
| Indiana | 16.73¢ | 23 | $150.57 |
| Wisconsin | 19.06¢ | 18 | $171.54 |
| Missouri | 16.09¢ | 26 | $144.81 |
| Iowa | 15.99¢ | 28 | $143.91 |
| U.S. average | 18.31¢ | – | $164.79 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average electricity rate in Illinois?
The average residential price in Illinois was 19.22 cents per kWh in July 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That is 5% above the U.S. average of 18.31 cents and ranks number 17 of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.), where 1 is the most expensive.
How much is the average electric bill in Illinois?
The average home in Illinois used 693 kWh a month in 2024 and paid $109.99, according to the EIA; the U.S. average was 863 kWh and $142.26. At the latest price of 19.22 cents per kWh, 693 kWh costs $133.19.
How much electricity does a home in Illinois use?
693 kWh a month on average in 2024, which is 20% less than the U.S. average of 863 kWh and the 16th lowest of the 50 states and D.C.
What uses the most electricity in a home in Illinois?
In homes with gas heat: the refrigerator, the clothes dryer, lighting, electronics and, in summer, air conditioning. In homes with electric heat, heating is by far the largest use in winter.
How do I find my exact price per kWh?
Take the total amount due on your electric bill and divide it by the kWh used that month. That gives the price you actually paid, including delivery charges and fees. Type it into the price box of the calculator instead of the state average.
Sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: Average monthly residential bill by state, 2024
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: State Electricity Profiles, 2024
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: Residential retail electric choice
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly (state electricity prices)
Electricity prices are the EIA figures for July 2026. Wattages are typical values; check the label on your own appliance.