Compare home electricity rates and solar payback, state by state.
We combine official electricity prices from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) with NREL solar production data, so you get honest, state-by-state numbers.
Pick your state to see today's rate, a typical bill, and how many years a solar system takes to pay for itself. We don't sell solar, so our numbers aren't tilted toward a sale.
Pick your state and enter your monthly bill.
Switch between views, hover a state for details, click to open its page.
Rates: EIA, 2026-07.
Rising rates make solar pay off faster. See how 3%, 5% or 8% a year changes your payback.
The average US residential rate went up 36% since 2015 — one reason solar keeps getting more attractive.
| Year | US average | Change | Most expensive | Cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18.3¢/kWh | +4.8% | Hawaii (40.6¢) | North Dakota (11.8¢) |
| 2024 | 17.4¢/kWh | +2.3% | Hawaii (42.9¢) | North Dakota (11.5¢) |
| 2023 | 17.0¢/kWh | +6.6% | Hawaii (42.4¢) | Washington (11.0¢) |
| 2022 | 16.0¢/kWh | +10.2% | Hawaii (43.0¢) | Washington (10.3¢) |
| 2021 | 14.5¢/kWh | +3.3% | Hawaii (33.5¢) | Washington (10.1¢) |
| 2020 | 14.0¢/kWh | +0.3% | Hawaii (30.3¢) | Louisiana (9.7¢) |
| 2019 | 14.0¢/kWh | +1.0% | Hawaii (32.1¢) | Washington (9.7¢) |
| 2018 | 13.9¢/kWh | +1.0% | Hawaii (32.5¢) | Louisiana (9.6¢) |
| 2017 | 13.7¢/kWh | +3.6% | Hawaii (29.5¢) | Washington (9.7¢) |
| 2016 | 13.2¢/kWh | -1.3% | Hawaii (27.5¢) | Louisiana (9.3¢) |
| 2015 | 13.4¢/kWh | — | Hawaii (29.6¢) | Washington (9.1¢) |
Yearly average residential prices, EIA data. US average is the simple mean across states, not weighted by population.
In many states, yes. Panel prices have fallen a lot over the past decade while electricity rates keep rising. Whether it pays off for you depends mostly on your local rate, how much sun you get, and your roof. Use the Quick Solar Check above to see where your state lands.
Read more →A typical 6 kW system covers a large share of an average home's usage. In high-rate states that can mean well over $1,000 a year; in low-rate states the savings are smaller. Your exact number depends on your usage and how your utility credits solar power.
The upfront cost is significant, and payback can take many years in states with cheap electricity. Shading, an older roof that needs replacing soon, or moving house before payback can all reduce the value. Panels also produce nothing at night, so you still rely on the grid or a battery.
With net metering, extra power your panels make during the day goes to the grid and your utility credits you for it. You use those credits when your panels aren't producing. Rules differ by state and utility, and some now pay less for exported power, which lengthens payback.
Rising prices make solar more valuable, because every kWh you produce yourself replaces a more expensive one from the grid. Our payback estimates use today's rates, so if prices keep climbing, real payback is usually shorter than shown.
Read more →Electricity rates are the latest average residential prices per state from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Solar production comes from NREL's PVWatts model, run for a location in each state. All results are estimates — your actual savings depend on your roof, usage, utility rules and installer prices.