Independent rate reference - not affiliated with any utility or energy supplier. Data: EIA Electric Power Monthly, May 2026.Full disclaimer
ElectricityRatePerKWh

Electricity Rate in Idaho (2026): 12.35c/kWh Average

The EIA residential electricity price in Idaho is 12.35 cents per kWh as of May 2026, 6.09c below the US average of 18.44c/kWh. The Idaho commercial rate is 9.34c/kWh and the industrial rate is 7.21c/kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A).

Residential Rate
12.35¢
per kWh
vs US Avg
-33%
6.09c below
Avg Monthly Bill
$109
922 kWh
Provider Choice
No
Regulated monopoly

Idaho Electricity Rate: What You Need to Know

Idaho electricity averages 12.35 cents per kWh for residential customers as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly. This is 6.09c below the US average of 18.44c/kWh. The average monthly bill for Idaho households is $109 based on typical usage of 922 kWh.

Idaho has some of the cheapest electricity in the United States - its 12.35c/kWh residential rate (May 2026) ranks among the four or five lowest states, roughly a third below the US average. The reason is hydropower: dams on the Snake River and its tributaries provide low-cost generation with no fuel cost, the backbone of Idaho's grid. Idaho Power serves the southern half of the state (Boise, Twin Falls, Pocatello and surrounding communities, around 600,000 customers), while Avista serves the north and Rocky Mountain Power serves the east. Idaho is a regulated market overseen by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission - there is no residential retail choice. Rapid population and data-center load growth is pushing utilities to add generation, and Idaho Power's 2025 general rate case (settled before the IPUC) raised rates to fund that expansion, though Idaho's hydro base keeps it well below the national average.

Generation mix: Hydro 60%, natural gas 20%, wind 15%, coal 5%. The fuel mix is a primary driver of electricity rates - states with abundant hydro or nuclear tend to have lower rates, while states dependent on imported petroleum (Hawaii) or natural gas pay more.

Year-over-year change: Idaho rates rose 4.0% year-over-year as of May 2026. This compares to the US average increase of 6.2% over the same period.

Regulated: You Cannot Switch Electricity Suppliers

Idaho Power operates as the regulated utility in Idaho. Retail electricity choice is not available for residential customers. Options for reducing your bill include: time-of-use rate optimization, energy efficiency upgrades, and rooftop solar.

Your Idaho Electricity Bill Components

Energy charge (922 kWh x 12.35c)$113.87
Fixed customer charge (estimated)~$10.00
Estimated monthly total$123.87
Idaho Rate by Sector - May 2026
Residential (US 18.44c)12.35c
Commercial (US 13.54c)9.34c
Industrial (US 8.71c)7.21c
Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A.
Dominant Utility
Idaho Power
Adjacent States
Washington14.95c
Oregon16.27c
Nevada13.60c
Utah12.96c
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Idaho Electricity: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the electricity rate in Idaho in 2026?+
The average residential electricity rate in Idaho is 12.35 cents per kWh as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly. This is 6.09c below the US average of 18.44c/kWh (-33%). The average monthly electricity bill in Idaho is approximately $109 based on 922 kWh typical monthly usage.
What is the commercial electricity rate in Idaho?+
The average commercial electricity rate in Idaho is 9.34 cents per kWh as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly (Table 5.6.A). That compares with the US commercial average of 13.54c/kWh. Commercial rates apply to businesses, offices, schools, and retail. They are usually lower per kWh than residential rates, but a commercial bill can still be much larger because of higher volume and demand charges.
What is the industrial electricity rate in Idaho?+
The average industrial electricity rate in Idaho is 7.21 cents per kWh as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly (Table 5.6.A), versus a US industrial average of 8.71c/kWh. Industrial customers such as factories, manufacturers, and large facilities pay the lowest per-kWh price of the three EIA sectors because they buy power at high volume, often at higher voltage, under demand-based rate structures.
Can I switch electricity providers in Idaho?+
No - Idaho operates a regulated electricity market. Idaho Power serves as the regulated monopoly utility. Customers cannot switch electricity generation suppliers. Options for reducing bills include time-of-use rate optimization (where available), energy efficiency upgrades, and solar installation.
What is the average monthly electricity bill in Idaho?+
The average Idaho household uses approximately 922 kWh per month. At 12.35c/kWh plus approximately $10 in fixed charges, the average monthly bill is $109. This varies by season (higher in summer for cooling-dominant states like Florida, higher in winter for heating-dominant states).
What is the primary electricity source in Idaho?+
Idaho's generation mix is primarily Hydro 60%, natural gas 20%, wind 15%, coal 5%. This fuel mix is a key factor in the state's electricity rate - states relying on hydro or nuclear typically have lower rates, while states heavily dependent on natural gas or petroleum (like Hawaii) face higher costs.
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