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

Electricity Rate in Iowa (2026): 14.14c/kWh Average

The EIA residential electricity price in Iowa is 14.14 cents per kWh as of May 2026, 4.30c below the US average of 18.44c/kWh. The Iowa commercial rate is 10.58c/kWh and the industrial rate is 6.62c/kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A).

Residential Rate
14.14¢
per kWh
vs US Avg
-23%
4.30c below
Avg Monthly Bill
$117
851 kWh
Provider Choice
No
Regulated monopoly

Iowa Electricity Rate: What You Need to Know

Iowa electricity averages 14.14 cents per kWh for residential customers as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly. This is 4.30c below the US average of 18.44c/kWh. The average monthly bill for Iowa households is $117 based on typical usage of 851 kWh.

Iowa has the highest wind share of any US state - wind turbines generate roughly two-thirds of the electricity produced in Iowa, anchored by MidAmerican Energy, which has invested billions in wind since 2004 and now delivers the equivalent of 100% renewable energy to its Iowa customers across a typical year. Alliant Energy serves much of the rest of the state. Iowa is a regulated market: residential customers cannot choose a competitive supplier, and MidAmerican and Alliant operate as rate-regulated monopolies under the Iowa Utilities Commission. That heavy wind buildout - paired with the fact that wind has no fuel cost once the turbines are built - is a big reason Iowa's 14.14c/kWh rate (May 2026) sits below the US average. Iowa's relatively high average monthly usage of 851 kWh reflects cold winters and summer cooling load, but the low per-kWh price keeps the typical bill near $117.

Generation mix: Wind 65%, natural gas 20%, coal 10%, nuclear 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: Iowa rates fell 0.1% 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

MidAmerican Energy / Alliant Energy operates as the regulated utility in Iowa. 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 Iowa Electricity Bill Components

Energy charge (851 kWh x 14.14c)$120.33
Fixed customer charge (estimated)~$10.00
Estimated monthly total$130.33
Iowa Rate by Sector - May 2026
Residential (US 18.44c)14.14c
Commercial (US 13.54c)10.58c
Industrial (US 8.71c)6.62c
Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A.
Dominant Utility
MidAmerican Energy / Alliant Energy
Adjacent States
Illinois23.85c
Wisconsin19.74c
Minnesota16.95c
Nebraska13.59c
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Iowa Electricity: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the electricity rate in Iowa in 2026?+
The average residential electricity rate in Iowa is 14.14 cents per kWh as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly. This is 4.30c below the US average of 18.44c/kWh (-23%). The average monthly electricity bill in Iowa is approximately $117 based on 851 kWh typical monthly usage.
What is the commercial electricity rate in Iowa?+
The average commercial electricity rate in Iowa is 10.58 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 Iowa?+
The average industrial electricity rate in Iowa is 6.62 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 Iowa?+
No - Iowa operates a regulated electricity market. MidAmerican Energy / Alliant Energy 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 Iowa?+
The average Iowa household uses approximately 851 kWh per month. At 14.14c/kWh plus approximately $10 in fixed charges, the average monthly bill is $117. 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 Iowa?+
Iowa's generation mix is primarily Wind 65%, natural gas 20%, coal 10%, nuclear 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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