What drives electric bills in Wisconsin
Residential electricity in Wisconsin averaged 19.0¢ per kWh in January–July 2026, up 5.4% from 18.0¢ in the same months a year earlier (the U.S. average went up 6.9%). In July 2026, the latest month available, it was 19.1¢. The typical home here used 645 kWh a month in 2024, 25% less than the U.S. average, so a high bill usually points to the price per kWh or to one big appliance.
- Rate increases for new generation. Utilities recover the cost of building new plants and grid upgrades through rate cases, usually approved every one or two years.
- Fixed monthly charges. Some Wisconsin utilities have raised their fixed customer charge, which you pay no matter how little you use.
- Cold winters. Furnace fans, block heaters, heat tape and space heaters all add up in the coldest months.
Who supplies your power
We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service, Alliant Energy (Wisconsin Power and Light), Xcel Energy and Madison Gas and Electric are the main utilities. More than 80 municipal utilities and many co-ops also serve Wisconsin towns.
Ways to pay less in Wisconsin
- Check Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide program, for rebates on heat pumps, smart thermostats, insulation and appliance recycling.
- If you use space heaters to warm one room, compare their cost: a 1,500-watt heater running 8 hours a day uses about 360 kWh a month, close to $70 at Wisconsin rates.
For example, a 1,500 W space heater running 8 hours a day costs about $69 a month at Wisconsin prices. Check what your appliances cost to run in Wisconsin.
Help paying your bill in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP): help with heating and electric bills, plus emergency and furnace repair help, through local agencies.
- Winter moratorium: utilities cannot disconnect a home’s heat-related service from November 1 to April 15.
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 Wisconsin?
A typical 7 kW rooftop system in Wisconsin produces roughly 8,400 kWh a year, about 100% of what an average home here uses. At the state’s average price of 19.0¢, that power is worth about $1,596 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 Wisconsin compares with nearby states
| State | Price per kWh | kWh a month | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 19.0¢ | 645 | $123 |
| Iowa | 14.2¢ | 832 | $118 |
| Minnesota | 16.3¢ | 712 | $116 |
| Illinois | 19.2¢ | 693 | $133 |
| Michigan | 21.5¢ | 618 | $133 |
| 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.