States Where Electricity Prices Are Surging Fastest

Residential electricity prices in the United States have risen steadily in most states since 2019. The moves are due to several contributing factors, including infrastructure investments, fuel costs, regulatory changes, and regional demand growth. The national average residential price was approximately 13.31 cents per kWh in 2019, according to the EIA Annual Energy Review. By late 2025, it reached 18.07 cents per kWh, representing a cumulative increase nationwide of about 36% over that period.

Prices vary significantly by state due to differences in energy sources, regulations, climate, and infrastructure. Climatecrisis247 analyzed state-by-state data to show increases over the 2019-2025 period. The highest-priced states are primarily in New England, California, Hawaii, and Alaska. Lower prices are usually in the Mountain States, the Midwest, and the South. The most significant recent increases were in deregulated states or those with high electricity demand, like New Jersey and Illinois.

Variations in prices are also due to regional differences, with the most dramatic rises primarily in Northeastern states, California, and some Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states, some of which are also deregulated markets. Causes for these often include natural gas price volatility, infrastructure costs, and extreme weather impacts.

Maine stands out at the top of the list, with a 69% increase over the period. 

Maine’s home electricity prices jumped from about 16.5 cents per kWh in 2019 to nearly 28 cents by December 2025—a 69% increase, the highest in the U.S. The biggest spikes hit in 2022–2023.

The primary reasons for this surge in Maine fall into several categories:

New England relies heavily on natural gas for electric power, and Maine imports most of its electricity through a grid that covers more than one state. The COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine drove global natural gas prices up by high double digits, temporarily, and they have never completely dropped back to previous levels. Limited pipelines forced the region to buy expensive imported LNG (liquid natural gas). Prices eased slightly later but stayed elevated due to the U.S. LNG exports and renewed pressure into 2026.

More frequent and expensive storms have hit much of the country and are more common in some geographical areas. Because Maine is so far north compared to other US states, it tends to get more heavy snow, ice, and sub-zero temperatures. In the summer, temperatures can reach the 90s. According to WGME, “Summer days have been getting warmer in Maine over the last 55 years, and this has led to an increase in the hottest days of summer with more extreme heat days.” These extreme temperature changes and weather events have raised repair and grid-strengthening costs, which are being passed on to customers. Central Maine Power, which covers over three-quarters of the state, has dealt with storm costs increasing to over that $100–200 million annually in recent years, adding roughly $20/month to typical bills.

Maine’s Net Energy Billing (NEB) program, a 2019 law that pays above-market credits to boost solar growth, helped meet aggressive renewable energy goals. This added $200–234 million in costs annually by 2024–2025, shifting expenses to non-solar customers and adding a few dollars to monthly bills. According to Maine Public, Maine Public Advocate Heather Sanborn said, “In 2025 alone, ratepayers were on the hook for $234 million to cover the program.

Residential Electricity Price Increases by State (2019 to December 2025), Ranked from Highest to Lowest Percentage Increase. Maine experienced the most significant increase at 69%. California saw a 65% rise. Maryland had a 61% increase. Pennsylvania recorded a 48% rise. Illinois posted a 47% increase. Delaware and New Jersey both had 46% increases. Oklahoma showed a 44% rise. New Hampshire and Ohio each experienced 42% increases. Connecticut, New York, Virginia, and Washington all saw 40% rises. Oregon had a 39% increase. 

Arkansas and Massachusetts both recorded 38% rises. Missouri and West Virginia each had 37% increases. Indiana posted a 35% rise. Vermont saw a 34% increase. Texas and Wyoming both had 33% rises. Alabama, Florida, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Rhode Island each experienced 32% increases. Colorado and Georgia both showed 31% rises. Montana recorded a 30% increase. 

Minnesota and Utah each had 29% rises. Louisiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin all saw 28% increases. Kentucky posted a 26% rise. Tennessee had a 23% increase. North Dakota and South Dakota both recorded 22% rises. Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Nebraska each experienced 21% increases. Hawaii and Kansas both had 20% rises. Nevada saw the smallest increase at 2%.