Electricity cost in Washington
Short answer: Homes in Washington pay an average of 14.71¢ per kWh for electricity (July 2026). That is 20% below the U.S. average of 18.31¢ and ranks number 39 of 51, where 1 is the most expensive. The average home here uses 955 kWh a month, which costs about $140.48 at that price.
Washington 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 Washington average price. Change the wattage and hours for your own appliance.
Uses 360.0 kWh per month. The starting price is the Washington 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 |
Washington at a glance
Washington has 3,368,978 residential electricity customers. In 2024 the average home used 955 kWh a month, 11% more than the U.S. average of 863 kWh and the 20th highest in the country. The average monthly bill was $113.68, the 13th lowest, against a national average of $142.26.
A low price per kWh but heavy use: electricity is cheaper than average here, yet homes use more of it than most. The result is an average bill 20% below the national average.
What appliances cost to run in Washington
Typical wattage and use for each appliance, at the Washington average price of 14.71¢ 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 Washington | Per month, U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric furnace | 6 hours a day, 30 days a month | $397.17 | $494.37 |
| Central air conditioner | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $123.56 | $153.80 |
| Heat pump | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $105.91 | $131.83 |
| Electric water heater | 3 hours a day, 30 days a month | $59.58 | $74.16 |
| Space heater | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $52.96 | $65.92 |
| Pool pump | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $52.96 | $65.92 |
| Baseboard heater | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $52.96 | $65.92 |
| Electric car charger | 1.5 hours a day, 30 days a month | $47.66 | $59.32 |
| Portable air conditioner | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $42.36 | $52.73 |
| Window air conditioner | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $31.77 | $39.55 |
| Dehumidifier | 12 hours a day, 30 days a month | $26.48 | $32.96 |
| Hot tub | 4 hours a day, 30 days a month | $26.48 | $32.96 |
| Electric fireplace | 4 hours a day, 30 days a month | $26.48 | $32.96 |
| Clothes dryer | 60 minutes per use, 5 times a week | $9.56 | $11.90 |
| Gaming PC | 4 hours a day, 30 days a month | $7.06 | $8.79 |
| Electric stove | 45 minutes per use, 7 times a week | $6.69 | $8.33 |
| Electric oven | 60 minutes per use, 4 times a week | $5.86 | $7.30 |
| Air purifier | 24 hours a day, 30 days a month | $5.30 | $6.59 |
| Refrigerator | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $5.30 | $6.59 |
| Desktop computer | 6 hours a day, 30 days a month | $3.97 | $4.94 |
| Dishwasher | 120 minutes per use, 5 times a week | $3.82 | $4.76 |
| Chest freezer | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $3.53 | $4.39 |
| Electric blanket | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $3.53 | $4.39 |
| Mini fridge | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $2.82 | $3.52 |
| Ceiling fan | 12 hours a day, 30 days a month | $2.65 | $3.30 |
| Game console | 3 hours a day, 30 days a month | $2.65 | $3.30 |
| Box fan | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $2.65 | $3.30 |
| TV | 5 hours a day, 30 days a month | $2.21 | $2.75 |
| Humidifier | 10 hours a day, 30 days a month | $1.77 | $2.20 |
| Air fryer | 20 minutes per use, 5 times a week | $1.59 | $1.98 |
| Laptop | 6 hours a day, 30 days a month | $1.59 | $1.98 |
| Slow cooker | 360 minutes per use, 2 times a week | $1.53 | $1.90 |
| Electric pressure cooker | 45 minutes per use, 3 times a week | $1.43 | $1.79 |
| Electric kettle | 4 minutes per use, 21 times a week | $1.34 | $1.67 |
| Hair dryer | 10 minutes per use, 7 times a week | $1.34 | $1.67 |
| Washing machine | 45 minutes per use, 5 times a week | $1.20 | $1.49 |
| Microwave | 5 minutes per use, 14 times a week | $1.12 | $1.39 |
| Wi-Fi router | 24 hours a day, 30 days a month | $1.06 | $1.32 |
| String of Christmas lights | 6 hours a day, 30 days a month | $1.06 | $1.32 |
| Toaster oven | 20 minutes per use, 4 times a week | $1.02 | $1.27 |
| Coffee maker | 10 minutes per use, 7 times a week | $0.74 | $0.93 |
| Rice cooker | 30 minutes per use, 4 times a week | $0.64 | $0.79 |
| Vacuum cleaner | 30 minutes per use, 2 times a week | $0.64 | $0.79 |
| Clothes iron | 20 minutes per use, 2 times a week | $0.51 | $0.63 |
| LED light bulb | 5 hours a day, 30 days a month | $0.22 | $0.27 |
| Toaster | 3 minutes per use, 7 times a week | $0.20 | $0.25 |
What a monthly bill looks like
The table shows what different amounts of electricity cost at the latest Washington 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 Washington | At the U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh | A small apartment or a home with gas heat | $73.55 | $91.55 |
| 863 kWh | The average U.S. home (2024) | $126.95 | $158.02 |
| 955 kWh | The average home in Washington (2024) | $140.48 | $174.86 |
| 1,500 kWh | A large or all-electric home | $220.65 | $274.65 |
| 2,000 kWh | An all-electric home in its peak month | $294.20 | $366.20 |
Where the electricity in Washington comes from
The largest source of the electricity generated in Washington in 2024 was hydroelectric power, according to the Energy Information Administration's state profile. Hydropower from dams is among the cheapest electricity there is once the dam is built. Output depends on rain and snowpack, so a dry year can push costs up.
The state's power plants generated 102.4 million MWh in 2024, more than the 90.0 million MWh sold to customers in the state, so it produces more electricity than it uses.
How the climate shapes bills
Summers are mild, so air conditioning matters less than in most states, but winters are cool and damp and a large share of homes heat with electricity. Bills in Washington usually peak in December and January rather than in summer.
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. Washington 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.
Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 14.71¢ | 39 | $132.39 |
| Oregon | 15.97¢ | 29 | $143.73 |
| Idaho | 13.73¢ | 46 | $123.57 |
| California | 33.61¢ | 2 | $302.49 |
| Montana | 14.99¢ | 38 | $134.91 |
| U.S. average | 18.31¢ | – | $164.79 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average electricity rate in Washington?
The average residential price in Washington was 14.71 cents per kWh in July 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That is 20% below the U.S. average of 18.31 cents and ranks number 39 of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.), where 1 is the most expensive.
How much is the average electric bill in Washington?
The average home in Washington used 955 kWh a month in 2024 and paid $113.68, according to the EIA; the U.S. average was 863 kWh and $142.26. At the latest price of 14.71 cents per kWh, 955 kWh costs $140.48.
How much electricity does a home in Washington use?
955 kWh a month on average in 2024, which is 11% more than the U.S. average of 863 kWh and the 20th highest of the 50 states and D.C.
What uses the most electricity in a home in Washington?
Space heating and water heating. Electric furnaces, baseboard heaters and heat pumps are far more common here than in most of the country, so winter is the expensive season.
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.