In July 2026, homes in Pennsylvania paid an average of 21.72¢ per kWh, the 14th most expensive of the 50 states and DC and 18.6% above the U.S. average of 18.31¢.
That price is up 11.3% from a year earlier.
Over the past 12 months the average home in Pennsylvania used 840 kWh a month, for an average bill of $174 (U.S.: $157).
About electricity in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania generates far more electricity than it uses and sends the surplus to other states, mainly from natural gas and nuclear plants. Households can choose a retail supplier through the state's shopping program.
- natural gas 58%
- nuclear 30%
- coal 7%
- other 4%
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is the state agency that regulates electric utilities in Pennsylvania.
What drives electricity prices in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania makes far more electricity than it uses, mostly from natural gas from the Marcellus Shale and from nuclear plants, and sends the surplus to neighboring states. Even so, Pennsylvania homes pay more than the national average, because local prices are set in the PJM wholesale market, which covers all or part of thirteen states and DC.
Since mid-2025 bills have also carried higher capacity costs, the price PJM pays power plants to be available when demand peaks. Rapid growth in data centers and the retirement of older plants pushed those auctions to record levels.
Households can shop for a supplier. The utility's default rate, called the Price to Compare, usually changes twice a year, on June first and December first, and the state's PAPowerSwitch site lists offers against it. Whichever supplier a home chooses, the local utility still delivers the power and charges for it separately.
Average electric bill in Pennsylvania
Over the last 12 months the average Pennsylvania home paid $174 a month for electricity, the 7th highest of the 50 states and DC. In July 2026 the average bill was $221 for 1,020 kWh.
Over the last 12 months, homes in Pennsylvania used the most electricity in January, when electric heating drives usage up: an average of 1,135 kWh and a $229 bill. The lightest month was May, at 624 kWh and $134.
What would I pay?
| Monthly use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh × 21.72¢ | $108.60 | $1,303 |
| 1,000 kWh × 21.72¢typical | $217.20 | $2,606 |
| 1,500 kWh × 21.72¢ | $325.80 | $3,910 |
| 2,000 kWh × 21.72¢ | $434.40 | $5,213 |
Estimate your own bill
Cost of electricity in Pennsylvania by month
Businesses in Pennsylvania paid 13.86¢ per kWh in July 2026 (the 19th most expensive for business power), and industrial users paid 11.04¢. See business electricity rates in Pennsylvania.
Electric companies in Pennsylvania
18 utilities deliver electricity to homes in Pennsylvania. The largest is FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Co, serving 1,808,941 homes.
| Utility | Homes served | Avg. home rate |
|---|---|---|
| FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Co | 1,808,941 | 18.77¢ |
| PECO Energy Co | 1,538,993 | 18.02¢ |
| PPL Electric Utilities Corp | 1,311,251 | 18.60¢ |
| Duquesne Light Co | 553,124 | 23.47¢ |
| UGI Utilities, Inc | 55,181 | 19.77¢ |
| Adams Electric Cooperative Inc | 32,580 | 15.41¢ |
| Central Electric Coop, Inc | 23,675 | 16.90¢ |
| REA Energy Coop Inc | 20,951 | 16.14¢ |
| Tri-County Rural Elec Coop Inc (PA) | 18,214 | 22.38¢ |
| Northwestern Rural E C A, Inc | 18,200 | 16.08¢ |
"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 Pennsylvania?
Yes. Households in Pennsylvania 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: PAPowerSwitch (PA PUC).
Largest retail suppliers in Pennsylvania by residential customers (2025):
- Reliant Energy Northeast LLC (160,449 homes)
- Energy Harbor Corp. (77,718 homes)
- AEP Energy (71,554 homes)
- Direct Energy Services (70,273 homes)
- Interstate Gas Supply, Inc. (69,442 homes)
Listed by size only, as reported to EIA. This is not a recommendation.
Pennsylvania compared with neighboring states
| State | Price per kWh | Avg. monthly bill (12 mo.) |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 15.78¢ | $163 |
| Delaware | 18.48¢ | $165 |
| Ohio | 19.45¢ | $158 |
| Maryland | 21.41¢ | $209 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.72¢ | $174 |
| New Jersey | 25.19¢ | $158 |
| New York | 29.90¢ | $167 |
Pennsylvania electricity FAQ
What is the average electric bill in Pennsylvania?
The average home in Pennsylvania paid $174 a month over the last 12 months, using 840 kWh. That is the 7th highest of the 50 states and DC. In July 2026 alone, the average bill was $221.
How much does electricity cost per kWh in Pennsylvania?
Homes paid an average of 21.72¢ per kWh in July 2026, 18.6% above the U.S. average of 18.31¢. Businesses paid 13.86¢ per kWh.
Which month has the highest electric bills in Pennsylvania?
January, in the last 12 months of data: the average bill reached $229 (1,135 kWh), compared with $134 in May, the lowest month.
Can I choose my electricity provider in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania lets households buy electricity from a retail supplier, while the local utility still delivers it. Compare offers on PAPowerSwitch (PA PUC), the official state site.
What are the largest electric companies in Pennsylvania?
By number of residential customers in 2025: FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Co (1,808,941), PECO Energy Co (1,538,993), PPL Electric Utilities Corp (1,311,251).
Latest PA 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.