Use your own bill’s price per kWh when you have it. The averages below are dated reference points from official sources. They are useful for a first estimate, but they are not your tariff, and they are not forecasts. Reviewed 2026-10-26.
| Market | Average price | Period and basis | Use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| United StatesA national average hides large differences between states and utilities. Many utilities charge a fixed monthly fee and vary the price by season, tier or time of day. | $0.1834 per kWhUSD | June 2026Average retail price of electricity, residential sector, whole country. US EIA: Monthly Energy Review, average retail prices of electricity (Table 9.10) | |
| Great BritainThe cap is a limit on default tariffs, not a price everyone pays, and it varies by region. Ofgem states that these figures do not include VAT, which is not being charged on electricity bills from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. | £0.2632 per kWhGBP. Standing charge £0.5483 per day | 1 October to 31 December 2026Ofgem price cap, electricity, default tariff paid by direct debit, Great Britain average. Ofgem: Changes to the energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026 | |
| European UnionMember states differ widely. In the same period Eurostat reports a low of 0.1082 EUR per kWh in Hungary and a high of 0.4042 EUR per kWh in Ireland. | €0.2896 per kWhEUR | Second half of 2025Household average price, all taxes and levies included, EU aggregate. Eurostat: Electricity price statistics (household prices, second half of 2025) |
Why your bill beats an average
- Unit price and standing charge are separate. Appliance costs depend on the unit price per kWh. A standing or fixed monthly charge is paid whether or not you run anything, so leave it out of per-appliance sums.
- Prices differ by region, supplier, plan and time of day. A time-of-use tariff charges a higher peak price than its off-peak price. The time-of-use comparison prices both.
- Tax treatment differs. Some figures include tax and levies and some do not. Compare like with like, and read the basis column above.
- Averages age. Each row shows the period it covers. Check the source for a newer figure before relying on it.
To find the price on your bill, follow the guide for your market: United States, Great Britain or European Union. If your bill rose, the bill change explainer shows whether usage or price drove it.
This page does not forecast prices and does not recommend a supplier or plan. The figures are stored in one data file and are updated when the sources publish new values.