States Where Electricity Bills are Expected to Surge

By Sam Stebbins  •  March 26, 2026
Stunning view of a towering power line against a vibrant sky, showcasing energy infrastructure in nature.
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The explosion in AI investment by major tech companies may be creating the conditions for an energy crisis in the United States. Artificial intelligence technology is powered by massive data centers, some of which consume the same amount of resources as a medium-sized city. According to a recent report from The Atlantic, the new Memphis-based Colossus data center – a facility owned by Elon Musk’s company xAI – will use as much electricity as 200,000 average households when running at full power. Colossus is only one of many new data centers popping up around the country, which, in terms of energy demand, industry experts predict will collectively add the equivalent of as many 60 cities of Seattle to the U.S. power grid in the next five to 10 years.

To run these data centers, many companies are simultaneously investing in purpose-built renewable-source and natural gas fired power plants, with an eye toward eventually switching to nuclear energy. But these new electricity sources will not be enough. According to a recent report from ICF International, a Virginia-based consulting firm, electricity demand is projected to increase 25% in the U.S. by 2030, and 78% by 2050. This surge in demand growth will almost certainly have an impact on utility bills for American households in the coming years. 

Data from the Energy Information Administration shows that, as of January 2026, the average price of residential electricity in the U.S. was about 17.5 cents per kilowatt hour. According to ICF, the rates American households pay for electricity could rise between 15% and 40% within the next five years. Because utility rates vary by state, there are some parts of the country where such an increase could mean annual electricity costs will rise by over $1,000 per household. 

Using data from the EIA, Climate Crisis 247 identified the states where Americans may be paying the most for electricity in the next five years. States are ranked on estimated annual electricity costs for a typical household in the year 2030. Annual electricity cost projections were calculated using average electricity price rates per kilowatt hour in January 2026 and average household electricity use in 2024 by state, as reported by the EIA, as well as ICF-estimated low- and high-end national electricity price increases. Only the 10 states with the highest projected electricity prices in 2030 are ranked. 

Among the states on this list, annual electricity costs could range between $2,819 and $3,309 within the next five years – or as much as $1,230 higher than projected costs for the 2026 calendar year. In these states, residents are already paying more than the national average for electricity, either because electricity prices are already high in these places, or because households use more electricity, on average, than a typical American household. 

high rise buildings under blue sky during daytime
Photo by Nader Abushhab on Unsplash

10. Arizona

  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, high-end estimate: $2,819 ($896 more than 2024)
  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, low-end estimate: $2,316 ($393 more than in 2024)
  • Projected household electricity bill in 2026: $2,014
  • Average household electricity consumption: 1,075 kWh per month (8th highest of 50 states)
  • Average residential electricity rates: 16 cents per kWh (25th highest of 50 states)

9. Maine

  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, high-end estimate: $2,839 ($1,236 more than 2024)
  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, low-end estimate: $2,332 ($729 more than in 2024)
  • Projected household electricity bill in 2026: $2,028
  • Average household electricity consumption: 550 kWh per month (3rd lowest of 50 states)
  • Average residential electricity rates: 31 cents per kWh (3rd highest of 50 states)

8. Rhode Island

  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, high-end estimate: $2,871 ($922 more than 2024)
  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, low-end estimate: $2,358 ($410 more than in 2024)
  • Projected household electricity bill in 2026: $2,051
  • Average household electricity consumption: 567 kWh per month (4th lowest of 50 states)
  • Average residential electricity rates: 30 cents per kWh (5th highest of 50 states)

7. Texas

  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, high-end estimate: $2,889 ($924 more than 2024)
  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, low-end estimate: $2,373 ($408 more than in 2024)
  • Projected household electricity bill in 2026: $2,064
  • Average household electricity consumption: 1,096 kWh per month (6th highest of 50 states)
  • Average residential electricity rates: 16 cents per kWh (24th highest of 50 states)

6. Florida

  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, high-end estimate: $2,953 ($1,080 more than 2024)
  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, low-end estimate: $2,425 ($552 more than in 2024)
  • Projected household electricity bill in 2026: $2,109
  • Average household electricity consumption: 1,104 kWh per month (5th highest of 50 states)
  • Average residential electricity rates: 16 cents per kWh (22nd highest of 50 states)

5. Massachusetts

  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, high-end estimate: $2,984 ($977 more than 2024)
  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, low-end estimate: $2,451 ($445 more than in 2024)
  • Projected household electricity bill in 2026: $2,131
  • Average household electricity consumption: 570 kWh per month (5th lowest of 50 states)
  • Average residential electricity rates: 31 cents per kWh (2nd highest of 50 states)

4. Alabama

  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, high-end estimate: $3,084 ($1,002 more than 2024)
  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, low-end estimate: $2,533 ($451 more than in 2024)
  • Projected household electricity bill in 2026: $2,203
  • Average household electricity consumption: 1,143 kWh per month (4th highest of 50 states)
  • Average residential electricity rates: 16 cents per kWh (21st highest of 50 states)

3. Maryland

  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, high-end estimate: $3,217 ($1,226 more than 2024)
  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, low-end estimate: $2,642 ($652 more than in 2024)
  • Projected household electricity bill in 2026: $2,298
  • Average household electricity consumption: 929 kWh per month (23rd highest of 50 states)
  • Average residential electricity rates: 21 cents per kWh (12th highest of 50 states)

2. Connecticut

  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, high-end estimate: $3,304 ($908 more than 2024)
  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, low-end estimate: $2,714 ($318 more than in 2024)
  • Projected household electricity bill in 2026: $2,360
  • Average household electricity consumption: 695 kWh per month (16th lowest of 50 states)
  • Average residential electricity rates: 28 cents per kWh (7th highest of 50 states)

1. Hawaii

  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, high-end estimate: $3,309 ($763 more than 2024)
  • Average household electricity bill in 2030, low-end estimate: $2,718 ($173 more than in 2024)
  • Projected household electricity bill in 2026: $2,364
  • Average household electricity consumption: 495 kWh per month (the lowest of 50 states)
  • Average residential electricity rates: 40 cents per kWh (the highest of 50 states)


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