What drives electric bills in New York
Residential electricity in New York averaged 29.4¢ per kWh in January–July 2026, up 13.0% from 26.0¢ in the same months a year earlier (the U.S. average went up 6.9%). In July 2026, the latest month available, it was 29.9¢. The typical home here used 571 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.
- Monthly supply price. Unless you’ve chosen a fixed-price supplier, the supply charge on most New York bills changes every month with the wholesale market.
- Delivery charges. In New York City especially, the cost of running an underground grid in a dense city makes delivery a large share of the bill.
- Summer peaks. Hot days push demand and wholesale prices to their highest point of the year.
Who supplies your power
Con Edison serves New York City and Westchester, and PSEG Long Island serves Long Island. National Grid, NYSEG, RG&E, Central Hudson and Orange & Rockland serve upstate and the Hudson Valley.
Ways to pay less in New York
- Be careful with energy service companies (ESCOs). Compare the ESCO’s price with your utility’s supply price on the bill; customers on assistance programs can only buy from ESCOs that guarantee savings.
- Through NYSERDA’s EmPower+ program, income-eligible households can get free home energy upgrades such as insulation and air sealing.
For example, a 1,500 W space heater running 8 hours a day costs about $107 a month at New York prices. Check what your appliances cost to run in New York.
Shopping for a cheaper plan in New York
New York lets many homes choose who supplies their electricity. Before you switch, compare offers at your own usage, not just the advertised price: at the 571 kWh a typical home here uses, every 1¢ per kWh is worth about $69 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 New York
- Energy Affordability Program (EAP): households that get HEAP, SNAP, SSI and similar benefits receive a monthly discount on their electric bill. Enrollment is often automatic; call your utility if you don’t see it.
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): New York’s LIHEAP program, with regular and emergency benefits, including help for those who 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 New York?
A typical 7 kW rooftop system in New York produces roughly 8,050 kWh a year, about 100% of what an average home here uses. At the state’s average price of 29.4¢, that power is worth about $2,365 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 New York compares with nearby states
| State | Price per kWh | kWh a month | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 29.4¢ | 571 | $168 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.0¢ | 817 | $172 |
| Vermont | 24.0¢ | 574 | $137 |
| New Jersey | 24.0¢ | 662 | $159 |
| Connecticut | 28.0¢ | 695 | $194 |
| 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.