Electricity prices vary significantly across U.S. states, with Hawaii's rates more than three times those of North Dakota.

Foreign Media: Electricity prices vary widely across U.S. states, with Hawaii's being more than three times higher than North Dakota's

According to the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) in March 2026, residential electricity prices differ significantly by state, ranging from $0.12 per kWh (approximately 0.86 CNY) to $0.42 per kWh (approximately 3.02 CNY), showing a substantial disparity.

Hawaii leads the nation with a rate of $0.42 per kWh, followed closely by California at $0.33 per kWh. Despite being a major renewable energy state, California's high electricity prices are driven by investments in transmission infrastructure and wildfire prevention costs. The lowest rates are found in North Dakota, at just $0.12 per kWh, while other Midwest plains states such as Idaho, Utah, Nebraska, and Iowa also rank among the nation’s lowest.

The national average electricity price stands at $0.19 per kWh (approximately 1.37 CNY), representing an 8.6% year-on-year increase.

For an average household consuming 900 kWh monthly, the monthly electricity bill in Hawaii amounts to approximately 2,722 CNY, compared to only about 778 CNY in North Dakota—creating an annual difference of roughly 21,600 CNY, and a cumulative ten-year gap of nearly 230,000 CNY.

AI data centers, manufacturing reshoring, and the ongoing electrification trend are driving a significant rise in electricity demand. Industry projections indicate that data center electricity consumption will grow from around 5% of total U.S. electricity use today to 17% by 2030, further exacerbating regional disparities in electricity pricing.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1867247981448202/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.