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ElectricityRatePerKWh

Electricity Rate in Washington (2026): 14.95c/kWh Average

The EIA residential electricity price in Washington is 14.95 cents per kWh as of May 2026, 3.49c below the US average of 18.44c/kWh. The Washington commercial rate is 11.72c/kWh and the industrial rate is 7.24c/kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A).

Residential Rate
14.95¢
per kWh
vs US Avg
-19%
3.49c below
Avg Monthly Bill
$124
948 kWh
Provider Choice
No
Regulated monopoly

Washington Electricity Rate: What You Need to Know

Washington electricity averages 14.95 cents per kWh for residential customers as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly. This is 3.49c below the US average of 18.44c/kWh. The average monthly bill for Washington households is $124 based on typical usage of 948 kWh.

Washington has some of the cheapest electricity in the country - 14.95c/kWh (May 2026), well below the US average of 18.44c - thanks to the Columbia River hydroelectric system. Hydropower supplies roughly 63% of in-state generation, with natural gas near 16%, wind and the Columbia Generating Station nuclear plant around 8% each, and a small remaining coal share. Much of the low-cost power moves through the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), the federal agency that markets output from the Columbia and Snake river dams to public utilities at wholesale. Washington is a regulated market with no residential retail choice, but what you pay depends heavily on your utility: Puget Sound Energy (PSE), an investor-owned utility serving the Seattle suburbs, leans more on natural gas and charges noticeably more (around 17-18c/kWh), while municipal Seattle City Light and the public utility districts (Snohomish PUD, Tacoma Power) buy more BPA hydro and charge closer to 11c/kWh. Rates have been climbing - Washington's residential average rose about 9.5% year over year as of May 2026 - with PSE granted roughly a 6% residential increase for 2026 on top of a larger 2025 hike, driven by Baker River hydro upgrades, new wind generation (Beaver Creek), wildfire mitigation, and higher BPA wholesale power costs.

Generation mix: Hydro 63%, natural gas 16%, nuclear 8%, wind 8%, coal 3%. 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: Washington rates rose 9.5% 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

Puget Sound Energy / Seattle City Light / PacifiCorp WA operates as the regulated utility in Washington. 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 Washington Electricity Bill Components

Energy charge (948 kWh x 14.95c)$141.73
Fixed customer charge (estimated)~$10.00
Estimated monthly total$151.73
Washington Rate by Sector - May 2026
Residential (US 18.44c)14.95c
Commercial (US 13.54c)11.72c
Industrial (US 8.71c)7.24c
Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A.
Dominant Utility
Puget Sound Energy / Seattle City Light / PacifiCorp WA
Adjacent States
Oregon16.27c
Idaho12.35c
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Washington Electricity: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the electricity rate in Washington in 2026?+
The average residential electricity rate in Washington is 14.95 cents per kWh as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly. This is 3.49c below the US average of 18.44c/kWh (-19%). The average monthly electricity bill in Washington is approximately $124 based on 948 kWh typical monthly usage.
What is the commercial electricity rate in Washington?+
The average commercial electricity rate in Washington is 11.72 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 Washington?+
The average industrial electricity rate in Washington is 7.24 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 Washington?+
No - Washington operates a regulated electricity market. Puget Sound Energy / Seattle City Light / PacifiCorp WA 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 Washington?+
The average Washington household uses approximately 948 kWh per month. At 14.95c/kWh plus approximately $10 in fixed charges, the average monthly bill is $124. 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 Washington?+
Washington's generation mix is primarily Hydro 63%, natural gas 16%, nuclear 8%, wind 8%, coal 3%. 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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