In July 2026, homes in Ohio paid an average of 19.45¢ per kWh, the 16th most expensive of the 50 states and DC and 6.2% above the U.S. average of 18.31¢.
That price is up 11.9% from a year earlier.
Over the past 12 months the average home in Ohio used 866 kWh a month, for an average bill of $158 (U.S.: $157).
About electricity in Ohio
Natural gas is Ohio's largest source of electricity, followed by coal and nuclear power. Households can choose a retail electricity supplier, and many communities buy power for residents as a group.
- natural gas 55%
- coal 24%
- nuclear 12%
- solar 5%
- wind 2%
- other 2%
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is the state agency that regulates electric utilities in Ohio.
What drives electricity prices in Ohio
Ohio has shifted from coal to natural gas over the last two decades, and gas now makes more than half of its electricity. Coal and nuclear power still make up much of the rest. Ohio uses a bit more electricity than it produces and buys the difference through PJM, the regional grid that sets wholesale prices across all or part of thirteen states and DC.
That means Ohio bills rise and fall with PJM. Since mid-2025, record prices in PJM's capacity auctions, the payments that keep power plants available for peak demand, have pushed up the generation part of Ohio bills.
Ohio's utilities do not sell their own power. Each runs an auction for the standard service offer that homes get by default, and households can switch to a retail supplier or join a community aggregation program instead. The state's Energy Choice Ohio site compares offers.
Average electric bill in Ohio
Over the last 12 months the average Ohio home paid $158 a month for electricity, the 22nd highest of the 50 states and DC. In July 2026 the average bill was $224 for 1,151 kWh.
Over the last 12 months, homes in Ohio used the most electricity in July, when air conditioning drives usage up: an average of 1,151 kWh and a $224 bill. The lightest month was April, at 642 kWh and $125.
What would I pay?
| Monthly use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh × 19.45¢ | $97.25 | $1,167 |
| 1,000 kWh × 19.45¢typical | $194.50 | $2,334 |
| 1,500 kWh × 19.45¢ | $291.75 | $3,501 |
| 2,000 kWh × 19.45¢ | $389.00 | $4,668 |
Estimate your own bill
Cost of electricity in Ohio by month
Businesses in Ohio paid 14.06¢ per kWh in July 2026 (the 17th most expensive for business power), and industrial users paid 10.95¢. See business electricity rates in Ohio.
Electric companies in Ohio
36 utilities deliver electricity to homes in Ohio. The largest is Ohio Power Co, serving 1,348,588 homes.
| Utility | Homes served | Avg. home rate |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Power Co | 1,348,588 | 18.97¢ |
| Ohio Edison Co | 961,084 | 16.01¢ |
| Duke Energy Ohio Inc | 700,265 | 16.83¢ |
| Cleveland Electric Illum Co | 677,581 | 16.22¢ |
| Dayton Power & Light Co | 469,317 | 16.12¢ |
| The Toledo Edison Co | 279,678 | 16.49¢ |
| South Central Power Company | 118,458 | 15.39¢ |
| City of Cleveland | 64,905 | 16.36¢ |
| City of Hamilton | 27,209 | 15.49¢ |
| Licking Rural Electric Inc | 26,038 | 17.03¢ |
"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 Ohio?
Yes. Households in Ohio 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: Energy Choice Ohio (PUCO).
Largest retail suppliers in Ohio by residential customers (2025):
- Dynegy Energy Services, LLC (500,483 homes)
- AEP Energy (448,950 homes)
- NextEra Energy Services, LLC (448,827 homes)
- Energy Harbor Corp. (296,477 homes)
- Interstate Gas Supply, Inc. (175,428 homes)
Listed by size only, as reported to EIA. This is not a recommendation.
Ohio compared with neighboring states
| State | Price per kWh | Avg. monthly bill (12 mo.) |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 13.81¢ | $154 |
| West Virginia | 15.78¢ | $163 |
| Indiana | 16.73¢ | $158 |
| Ohio | 19.45¢ | $158 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.72¢ | $174 |
| Michigan | 23.05¢ | $133 |
Ohio electricity FAQ
What is the average electric bill in Ohio?
The average home in Ohio paid $158 a month over the last 12 months, using 866 kWh. That is the 22nd highest of the 50 states and DC. In July 2026 alone, the average bill was $224.
How much does electricity cost per kWh in Ohio?
Homes paid an average of 19.45¢ per kWh in July 2026, 6.2% above the U.S. average of 18.31¢. Businesses paid 14.06¢ per kWh.
Which month has the highest electric bills in Ohio?
July, in the last 12 months of data: the average bill reached $224 (1,151 kWh), compared with $125 in April, the lowest month.
Can I choose my electricity provider in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio lets households buy electricity from a retail supplier, while the local utility still delivers it. Compare offers on Energy Choice Ohio (PUCO), the official state site.
What are the largest electric companies in Ohio?
By number of residential customers in 2025: Ohio Power Co (1,348,588), Ohio Edison Co (961,084), Duke Energy Ohio Inc (700,265).
Latest OH 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.