In July 2026, homes in Maryland paid an average of 21.41¢ per kWh, the 15th most expensive of the 50 states and DC and 16.9% above the U.S. average of 18.31¢.
That price is up 13.7% from a year earlier.
Over the past 12 months the average home in Maryland used 945 kWh a month, for an average bill of $209 (U.S.: $157).
About electricity in Maryland
Maryland generates well under the electricity it uses and imports the rest over the regional grid. In-state power comes mainly from natural gas and nuclear plants, and households can choose a retail supplier.
- natural gas 43%
- nuclear 39%
- coal 6%
- hydropower 4%
- solar 4%
- other 4%
The Maryland Public Service Commission is the state agency that regulates electric utilities in Maryland.
What drives electricity prices in Maryland
Maryland generates well under the electricity it uses and buys the rest through PJM, the regional grid. In-state power comes mostly from natural gas and nuclear plants. Because so much power comes from outside, Maryland bills follow PJM's wholesale and capacity prices.
Capacity costs jumped in mid-2025, and the BGE area around Baltimore saw the highest capacity price in the region that year. Analysts traced that to two plants kept running under special reliability contracts, which did not count toward the auction. The state's consumer advocate also points to rising delivery rates as a big driver of bills.
Households can buy from a retail supplier or stay on their utility's Standard Offer Service. Bills also include a charge for EmPOWER Maryland, the state's energy-efficiency program.
Average electric bill in Maryland
Over the last 12 months the average Maryland home paid $209 a month for electricity, the 2nd highest of the 50 states and DC. In July 2026 the average bill was $253 for 1,184 kWh.
Over the last 12 months, homes in Maryland used the most electricity in January, when electric heating drives usage up: an average of 1,317 kWh and a $271 bill. The lightest month was October, at 660 kWh and $147.
What would I pay?
| Monthly use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh × 21.41¢ | $107.05 | $1,285 |
| 1,000 kWh × 21.41¢typical | $214.10 | $2,569 |
| 1,500 kWh × 21.41¢ | $321.15 | $3,854 |
| 2,000 kWh × 21.41¢ | $428.20 | $5,138 |
Estimate your own bill
Cost of electricity in Maryland by month
Businesses in Maryland paid 17.51¢ per kWh in July 2026 (the 13th most expensive for business power), and industrial users paid 16.21¢. See business electricity rates in Maryland.
Electric companies in Maryland
9 utilities deliver electricity to homes in Maryland. The largest is Baltimore Gas & Electric Co, serving 1,220,644 homes.
| Utility | Homes served | Avg. home rate |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Gas & Electric Co | 1,220,644 | 20.19¢ |
| Potomac Electric Power Co | 558,809 | 21.74¢ |
| The Potomac Edison Company | 258,523 | 15.44¢ |
| Delmarva Power | 187,814 | 21.81¢ |
| Southern Maryland Elec Coop Inc | 163,451 | 16.43¢ |
| Choptank Electric Cooperative, Inc | 50,981 | 17.11¢ |
| Hagerstown Light Department | 14,878 | 11.23¢ |
| Easton Utilities Comm | 8,884 | 15.18¢ |
| A & N Electric Coop | 226 | 14.54¢ |
"Avg. home rate" is what each utility's full-service residential customers paid on average in 2025 (revenue ÷ kWh sold). Delivery-only utilities have no full-service rate.
Can you choose your electricity supplier in Maryland?
Yes. Households in Maryland can buy electricity from a licensed retail supplier instead of their utility; the utility still delivers the power and handles outages.
Compare current offers on the official state site: MD Electric Choice (Maryland PSC).
Largest retail suppliers in Maryland by residential customers (2025):
- Constellation NewEnergy, Inc (44,070 homes)
- WGL Energy Services, Inc. (14,898 homes)
- Inspire Energy Holdings, LLC (12,214 homes)
- Just Energy Solutions Inc. (9,665 homes)
- Direct Energy Services (8,354 homes)
Listed by size only, as reported to EIA. This is not a recommendation.
Maryland compared with neighboring states
| State | Price per kWh | Avg. monthly bill (12 mo.) |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 15.78¢ | $163 |
| Virginia | 17.55¢ | $173 |
| Delaware | 18.48¢ | $165 |
| Maryland | 21.41¢ | $209 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.72¢ | $174 |
| District of Columbia | 25.21¢ | $153 |
Maryland electricity FAQ
What is the average electric bill in Maryland?
The average home in Maryland paid $209 a month over the last 12 months, using 945 kWh. That is the 2nd highest of the 50 states and DC. In July 2026 alone, the average bill was $253.
How much does electricity cost per kWh in Maryland?
Homes paid an average of 21.41¢ per kWh in July 2026, 16.9% above the U.S. average of 18.31¢. Businesses paid 17.51¢ per kWh.
Which month has the highest electric bills in Maryland?
January, in the last 12 months of data: the average bill reached $271 (1,317 kWh), compared with $147 in October, the lowest month.
Can I choose my electricity provider in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland lets households buy electricity from a retail supplier, while the local utility still delivers it. Compare offers on MD Electric Choice (Maryland PSC), the official state site.
What are the largest electric companies in Maryland?
By number of residential customers in 2025: Baltimore Gas & Electric Co (1,220,644), Potomac Electric Power Co (558,809), The Potomac Edison Company (258,523).
Latest MD electric rates, bills and usage: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail sales data (forms EIA-861M and EIA-861), latest month July 2026. Utilities and suppliers: EIA-861 (2025). Bills and usage are revenue and sales divided by customers. Last updated 2026-10-20.