What drives electric bills in Massachusetts
Residential electricity in Massachusetts averaged 30.1¢ per kWh in January–July 2026, about the same as 30.2¢ in the same months a year earlier (the U.S. average went up 6.9%). In July 2026, the latest month available, it was 30.5¢. The typical home here used 570 kWh a month in 2024, 34% less than the U.S. average, so a high bill usually points to the price per kWh or to one big appliance.
- Basic service changes twice a year. Eversource and National Grid reset their supply price in January and July. The winter price is usually higher because of natural gas constraints in New England.
- Delivery and program charges. Transmission, grid upgrades, efficiency programs and clean-energy contracts are recovered through delivery charges, which make up a large share of the bill.
- Municipal aggregation. Many towns buy power in bulk for residents. If your bill lists a supplier other than your utility, your town may have enrolled you; compare its price with basic service.
Who supplies your power
Eversource and National Grid serve most homes, with Unitil in a few northern communities. About 40 cities and towns, such as Braintree, Taunton and Shrewsbury, have municipal light plants with their own, often lower, rates.
Ways to pay less in Massachusetts
- Book a free Home Energy Assessment through Mass Save. You can get free LEDs and smart power strips, plus up to 75% to 100% off insulation, and no-cost or low-cost air sealing.
- If you switch to a heat pump, ask your utility about a heat pump rate. Some Massachusetts utilities offer a lower winter rate for homes that heat with electricity.
For example, a 1,500 W space heater running 8 hours a day costs about $110 a month at Massachusetts prices. Check what your appliances cost to run in Massachusetts.
Shopping for a cheaper plan in Massachusetts
Massachusetts lets many homes choose who supplies their electricity. Before you switch, compare offers at your own usage, not just the advertised price: at the 570 kWh a typical home here uses, every 1¢ per kWh is worth about $68 a year. Prefer fixed-rate plans of 12 months or more, check the early cancellation fee, and note when the contract ends.
Help paying your bill in Massachusetts
- Low-income discount rate: if you receive benefits such as SNAP, MassHealth or fuel assistance, you can get a significant discount on your electric bill. Ask your utility to put you on the low-income rate (R-2).
- Winter shutoff protection: between November 15 and March 15 your utility cannot shut off service for nonpayment if you have a financial hardship and heat with electricity.
Statewide help is in addition to the federal programs, such as LIHEAP and weatherization, that the bill checker above lists. Call 211 to find the agency that handles them near you.
Is solar worth it in Massachusetts?
A typical 7 kW rooftop system in Massachusetts produces roughly 8,400 kWh a year, about 100% of what an average home here uses. At the state’s average price of 30.1¢, that power is worth about $2,532 a year. What you actually save depends on your roof, the price you pay for the system, the 30% federal tax credit rules in effect when you buy, and how your utility credits the power you send to the grid. Get at least three quotes before you decide.
How Massachusetts compares with nearby states
| State | Price per kWh | kWh a month | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 30.1¢ | 570 | $172 |
| New Hampshire | 26.8¢ | 619 | $166 |
| Connecticut | 28.0¢ | 695 | $194 |
| Rhode Island | 29.2¢ | 567 | $166 |
| New York | 29.4¢ | 571 | $168 |
| U.S. average | 18.2¢ | 863 | $157 |
Price: average residential price, January–July 2026, U.S. Energy Information Administration (Electric Power Monthly, tables 5.6.A and 5.6.B). Usage: average monthly consumption per home, 2024, EIA form EIA-861. Typical bill = typical usage × current average price. Solar output is a rough estimate for a south-facing roof.