Electricity cost in Iowa
Short answer: Homes in Iowa pay an average of 15.99¢ per kWh for electricity (July 2026). That is 13% below the U.S. average of 18.31¢ and ranks number 28 of 51, where 1 is the most expensive. The average home here uses 832 kWh a month, which costs about $133.04 at that price.
Iowa 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 Iowa average price. Change the wattage and hours for your own appliance.
Uses 360.0 kWh per month. The starting price is the Iowa 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 |
Iowa at a glance
Iowa has 1,448,818 residential electricity customers. In 2024 the average home used 832 kWh a month, 4% less than the U.S. average of 863 kWh and the 21st lowest in the country. The average monthly bill was $111.54, the 11th 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 22% below the national average.
What appliances cost to run in Iowa
Typical wattage and use for each appliance, at the Iowa average price of 15.99¢ 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 Iowa | Per month, U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric furnace | 6 hours a day, 30 days a month | $431.73 | $494.37 |
| Central air conditioner | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $134.32 | $153.80 |
| Heat pump | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $115.13 | $131.83 |
| Electric water heater | 3 hours a day, 30 days a month | $64.76 | $74.16 |
| Space heater | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $57.56 | $65.92 |
| Pool pump | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $57.56 | $65.92 |
| Baseboard heater | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $57.56 | $65.92 |
| Electric car charger | 1.5 hours a day, 30 days a month | $51.81 | $59.32 |
| Portable air conditioner | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $46.05 | $52.73 |
| Window air conditioner | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $34.54 | $39.55 |
| Dehumidifier | 12 hours a day, 30 days a month | $28.78 | $32.96 |
| Hot tub | 4 hours a day, 30 days a month | $28.78 | $32.96 |
| Electric fireplace | 4 hours a day, 30 days a month | $28.78 | $32.96 |
| Clothes dryer | 60 minutes per use, 5 times a week | $10.39 | $11.90 |
| Gaming PC | 4 hours a day, 30 days a month | $7.68 | $8.79 |
| Electric stove | 45 minutes per use, 7 times a week | $7.28 | $8.33 |
| Electric oven | 60 minutes per use, 4 times a week | $6.37 | $7.30 |
| Air purifier | 24 hours a day, 30 days a month | $5.76 | $6.59 |
| Refrigerator | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $5.76 | $6.59 |
| Desktop computer | 6 hours a day, 30 days a month | $4.32 | $4.94 |
| Dishwasher | 120 minutes per use, 5 times a week | $4.16 | $4.76 |
| Chest freezer | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $3.84 | $4.39 |
| Electric blanket | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $3.84 | $4.39 |
| Mini fridge | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $3.07 | $3.52 |
| Ceiling fan | 12 hours a day, 30 days a month | $2.88 | $3.30 |
| Game console | 3 hours a day, 30 days a month | $2.88 | $3.30 |
| Box fan | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $2.88 | $3.30 |
| TV | 5 hours a day, 30 days a month | $2.40 | $2.75 |
| Humidifier | 10 hours a day, 30 days a month | $1.92 | $2.20 |
| Air fryer | 20 minutes per use, 5 times a week | $1.73 | $1.98 |
| Laptop | 6 hours a day, 30 days a month | $1.73 | $1.98 |
| Slow cooker | 360 minutes per use, 2 times a week | $1.66 | $1.90 |
| Electric pressure cooker | 45 minutes per use, 3 times a week | $1.56 | $1.79 |
| Electric kettle | 4 minutes per use, 21 times a week | $1.46 | $1.67 |
| Hair dryer | 10 minutes per use, 7 times a week | $1.46 | $1.67 |
| Washing machine | 45 minutes per use, 5 times a week | $1.30 | $1.49 |
| Microwave | 5 minutes per use, 14 times a week | $1.21 | $1.39 |
| Wi-Fi router | 24 hours a day, 30 days a month | $1.15 | $1.32 |
| String of Christmas lights | 6 hours a day, 30 days a month | $1.15 | $1.32 |
| Toaster oven | 20 minutes per use, 4 times a week | $1.11 | $1.27 |
| Coffee maker | 10 minutes per use, 7 times a week | $0.81 | $0.93 |
| Rice cooker | 30 minutes per use, 4 times a week | $0.69 | $0.79 |
| Vacuum cleaner | 30 minutes per use, 2 times a week | $0.69 | $0.79 |
| Clothes iron | 20 minutes per use, 2 times a week | $0.55 | $0.63 |
| LED light bulb | 5 hours a day, 30 days a month | $0.24 | $0.27 |
| Toaster | 3 minutes per use, 7 times a week | $0.22 | $0.25 |
What a monthly bill looks like
The table shows what different amounts of electricity cost at the latest Iowa 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 Iowa | At the U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh | A small apartment or a home with gas heat | $79.95 | $91.55 |
| 832 kWh | The average home in Iowa (2024) | $133.04 | $152.34 |
| 1,500 kWh | A large or all-electric home | $239.85 | $274.65 |
| 2,000 kWh | An all-electric home in its peak month | $319.80 | $366.20 |
Where the electricity in Iowa comes from
The largest source of the electricity generated in Iowa in 2024 was wind power, according to the Energy Information Administration's state profile. Wind has no fuel cost, which helps keep prices low when it is blowing. Other plants, usually gas or coal, cover the calm hours.
The state's power plants generated 70.5 million MWh in 2024, more than the 54.9 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?
Generally, no. Iowa does not have a statewide retail choice program for households, so most buy their electricity from the utility or cooperative that serves their address, at prices approved by regulators or set by the local public power provider. Prices still differ between utilities, and between rate plans at the same utility, so check the price per kWh on your own bill and type it into the calculator.
Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 15.99¢ | 28 | $143.91 |
| Minnesota | 17.45¢ | 21 | $157.05 |
| Wisconsin | 19.06¢ | 18 | $171.54 |
| Illinois | 19.22¢ | 17 | $172.98 |
| Nebraska | 13.78¢ | 45 | $124.02 |
| U.S. average | 18.31¢ | – | $164.79 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average electricity rate in Iowa?
The average residential price in Iowa was 15.99 cents per kWh in July 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That is 13% below the U.S. average of 18.31 cents and ranks number 28 of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.), where 1 is the most expensive.
How much is the average electric bill in Iowa?
The average home in Iowa used 832 kWh a month in 2024 and paid $111.54, according to the EIA; the U.S. average was 863 kWh and $142.26. At the latest price of 15.99 cents per kWh, 832 kWh costs $133.04.
How much electricity does a home in Iowa use?
832 kWh a month on average in 2024, which is 4% less than the U.S. average of 863 kWh and the 21st lowest of the 50 states and D.C.
What uses the most electricity in a home in Iowa?
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.