What drives electric bills in Rhode Island
Residential electricity in Rhode Island averaged 29.2¢ per kWh in January–July 2026, down 1.1% from 29.6¢ in the same months a year earlier (the U.S. average went up 6.9%). In July 2026, the latest month available, it was 28.3¢. The typical home here used 567 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.
- Supply prices follow natural gas. Most of the power in New England is made with natural gas. When gas is expensive, especially in winter, your supply price goes up.
- Rate resets. Rhode Island Energy changes the Last Resort Service price on a set schedule, and the winter price is usually the highest of the year.
- Delivery charges. Grid repairs, transmission and state energy programs make up much of the bill, regardless of how much power you use.
Who supplies your power
Rhode Island Energy (formerly National Grid) serves almost the entire state. Block Island Utility District and Pascoag Utility District serve their own communities.
Ways to pay less in Rhode Island
- If you’re with a competitive supplier, check that its price is lower than Last Resort Service. Variable-rate plans can drift well above it without notice.
- Rhode Island Energy offers no-cost home energy assessments and rebates on heat pumps, smart thermostats and insulation.
For example, a 1,500 W space heater running 8 hours a day costs about $107 a month at Rhode Island prices. Check what your appliances cost to run in Rhode Island.
Shopping for a cheaper plan in Rhode Island
Rhode Island lets many homes choose who supplies their electricity. Before you switch, compare offers at your own usage, not just the advertised price: at the 567 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 Rhode Island
- Low-income discount rate: households receiving LIHEAP, SNAP or similar aid can get a discount on their electric bill. Ask Rhode Island Energy about its income-eligible rate.
- Arrearage management: income-eligible customers with overdue balances can join a plan that forgives part of the debt each month they pay on time.
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 Rhode Island?
A typical 7 kW rooftop system in Rhode Island produces roughly 8,400 kWh a year, about 100% of what an average home here uses. At the state’s average price of 29.2¢, that power is worth about $2,454 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 Rhode Island compares with nearby states
| State | Price per kWh | kWh a month | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 29.2¢ | 567 | $166 |
| Connecticut | 28.0¢ | 695 | $194 |
| Massachusetts | 30.1¢ | 570 | $172 |
| 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.