What drives electric bills in Washington
Residential electricity in Washington averaged 14.4¢ per kWh in January–July 2026, up 13.0% from 12.7¢ in the same months a year earlier (the U.S. average went up 6.9%). In July 2026, the latest month available, it was 14.7¢. The typical home here used 955 kWh a month in 2024, 11% more than the U.S. average, so how much power you use matters as much as the price.
- Electric heat. Most homes west of the Cascades and many in the east heat with electricity, so winter bills are often two or three times summer bills.
- Rate increases. PSE and Avista raised rates for grid upgrades, new clean energy and higher power costs, and many public utilities have raised rates too.
- Dry years. Low snowpack and river flows reduce hydropower and push up the cost of buying power.
Who supplies your power
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) serves much of western Washington and Avista serves Spokane. Public utilities such as Seattle City Light, Snohomish County PUD, Tacoma Power and Clark Public Utilities serve many areas, often at lower rates.
Ways to pay less in Washington
- If you have electric baseboard heat, a ductless heat pump can cut heating costs significantly. Most Washington utilities offer rebates for them.
- Ask your utility about free home energy assessments, weatherization rebates and low-cost LED and showerhead kits.
For example, a 1,500 W space heater running 8 hours a day costs about $53 a month at Washington prices. Check what your appliances cost to run in Washington.
Help paying your bill in Washington
- Bill discount programs: PSE, Avista, Seattle City Light and many public utilities offer income-based monthly discounts.
- LIHEAP: Washington’s program, through the Department of Commerce and local agencies, helps with heating bills.
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 Washington?
A typical 7 kW rooftop system in Washington produces roughly 7,350 kWh a year, about 64% of what an average home here uses. At the state’s average price of 14.4¢, that power is worth about $1,058 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 Washington compares with nearby states
| State | Price per kWh | kWh a month | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 14.4¢ | 955 | $138 |
| Idaho | 13.0¢ | 944 | $122 |
| Oregon | 15.4¢ | 882 | $136 |
| 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.