What drives electric bills in Montana
Residential electricity in Montana averaged 14.0¢ per kWh in January–July 2026, up 11.3% from 12.5¢ in the same months a year earlier (the U.S. average went up 6.9%). In July 2026, the latest month available, it was 15.0¢. The typical home here used 852 kWh a month in 2024, close to the U.S. average.
- NorthWestern rate increases. The Montana Public Service Commission approved rate increases for new generation and grid upgrades.
- Power cost adjustments. When NorthWestern buys power on the market during cold snaps or heat waves, the cost is passed through to customers.
- Cold winters. Homes with electric heat see their highest bills from December to February.
Who supplies your power
NorthWestern Energy serves most of western and central Montana. Montana-Dakota Utilities serves the east, and about 25 co-ops serve rural areas.
Ways to pay less in Montana
- NorthWestern and many co-ops offer free or low-cost energy audits and rebates on heat pumps and insulation.
- Use timers on engine block heaters and stock tank heaters, and check heat tape on pipes so it only runs when needed.
For example, a 1,500 W space heater running 8 hours a day costs about $51 a month at Montana prices. Check what your appliances cost to run in Montana.
Help paying your bill in Montana
- LIEAP: Montana’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program helps with heating bills through Human Resource Development Councils (HRDCs).
- NorthWestern’s low-income discount: LIEAP-eligible customers can get a discount on electricity and natural gas.
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 Montana?
A typical 7 kW rooftop system in Montana produces roughly 8,750 kWh a year, about 86% of what an average home here uses. At the state’s average price of 14.0¢, that power is worth about $1,221 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 Montana compares with nearby states
| State | Price per kWh | kWh a month | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | 14.0¢ | 852 | $119 |
| North Dakota | 12.4¢ | 1,029 | $127 |
| Idaho | 13.0¢ | 944 | $122 |
| Wyoming | 14.0¢ | 863 | $120 |
| South Dakota | 14.5¢ | 994 | $144 |
| 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.