Electricity Rate in Ohio (2026): 19.52c/kWh Average
The EIA residential electricity price in Ohio is 19.52 cents per kWh as of May 2026, 1.08c above the US average of 18.44c/kWh. The Ohio commercial rate is 13.89c/kWh and the industrial rate is 9.87c/kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A).
Best Electricity Rates in Ohio (July 2026)
In Ohio the number to beat is your utility's "Price to Compare" (PTC) - the default generation supply rate a competitive supplier has to undercut to save you money. As of summer 2026 the residential PTC is about 10.12c/kWh with AEP Ohio, 10.69c/kWh with Duke Energy Ohio, 10.92c/kWh with Ohio Edison, 10.14c/kWh with The Illuminating Company, 10.19c/kWh with Toledo Edison, and about 10.9c/kWh with AES Ohio (Dayton). That supply rate is only part of your bill - the delivery (wires) charge stays with your local utility and is not competitive. Compare licensed suppliers on the state's official PUCO "Apples to Apples" portal and check each offer's price per kWh against your utility's PTC below.
Ohio has the highest deregulated-market switching rate in the country (about 57%), largely because cities, townships, and counties negotiate bulk government-aggregation contracts and auto-enroll residents who do not opt out - so check whether you are already on an aggregation rate before switching. When you compare an individual supplier offer, watch for low teaser rates that jump after a few months, variable-rate plans with no cap, and early-termination fees that can wipe out the savings. The all-in state average shown above is the EIA figure across delivery, supply, and riders, so it runs well above the supply-only PTC.
Ohio Electricity Rate: What You Need to Know
Ohio electricity averages 19.52 cents per kWh for residential customers as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly. This is 1.08c above the US average of 18.44c/kWh. The average monthly bill for Ohio households is $149 based on typical usage of 879 kWh.
Ohio has the highest deregulated-market switching rate of any US state at 57%, driven heavily by government aggregation: townships, cities, and counties negotiate bulk electricity supply contracts and automatically enroll residents who don't opt out. The PUCO Apples to Apples comparison portal (energychoice.ohio.gov) facilitates individual choice for consumers not covered by municipal aggregation. AEP Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, and FirstEnergy serve delivery (wires only) in different parts of the state; the competitive supply portion is provided by dozens of retail suppliers. Ohio's average rate of 19.52c/kWh (May 2026) is close to the national average.
Generation mix: Natural gas 45%, nuclear 20%, coal 20%, renewables 15%. 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: Ohio rates rose 14.2% year-over-year as of May 2026. This compares to the US average increase of 6.2% over the same period.
Deregulated: You Can Shop for a Better Rate
PUCO Apples to Apples (energychoice.ohio.gov) - 57% switching rate driven by government aggregation; AEP, Duke, FirstEnergy wires stay local
How to shop for a better rate ->Your Ohio Electricity Bill Components
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