What drives electric bills in Oregon
Residential electricity in Oregon averaged 15.4¢ per kWh in January–July 2026, up 1.4% from 15.2¢ in the same months a year earlier (the U.S. average went up 6.9%). In July 2026, the latest month available, it was 16.0¢. The typical home here used 882 kWh a month in 2024, close to the U.S. average.
- Rapid rate increases. PGE and Pacific Power have raised rates several times since 2022 for wildfire protection, grid upgrades and higher power costs.
- Electric heat. Many Oregon homes use electric baseboard heat, heat pumps or electric furnaces, so cold, rainy winters bring the biggest bills.
- Wildfire costs. Utilities are spending heavily on wildfire mitigation, and Pacific Power faces large wildfire liability costs.
Who supplies your power
Portland General Electric (PGE) serves Portland and the Willamette Valley, and Pacific Power serves much of the rest of the state. Idaho Power serves part of the east, and dozens of public utility districts, co-ops and city utilities, such as EWEB in Eugene, serve the rest.
Ways to pay less in Oregon
- Energy Trust of Oregon offers rebates on heat pumps, ductless heat pumps, insulation and smart thermostats, with bigger incentives for income-eligible households.
- PGE and Pacific Power offer time-of-day plans and peak-time rebates that pay you for using less during peak events.
For example, a 1,500 W space heater running 8 hours a day costs about $56 a month at Oregon prices. Check what your appliances cost to run in Oregon.
Help paying your bill in Oregon
- Income-qualified discounts: PGE and Pacific Power offer monthly discounts based on household income. Apply with your utility.
- Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP) and LIHEAP: help with electric bills through community action agencies.
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 Oregon?
A typical 7 kW rooftop system in Oregon produces roughly 8,050 kWh a year, about 76% of what an average home here uses. At the state’s average price of 15.4¢, that power is worth about $1,240 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 Oregon compares with nearby states
| State | Price per kWh | kWh a month | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 15.4¢ | 882 | $136 |
| Idaho | 13.0¢ | 944 | $122 |
| Nevada | 13.5¢ | 930 | $126 |
| Washington | 14.4¢ | 955 | $138 |
| California | 33.3¢ | 503 | $167 |
| 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.