Independent rate reference - not affiliated with any utility or energy supplier. Data: EIA Electric Power Monthly, May 2026.Full disclaimer
ElectricityRatePerKWh
State-to-State Relocation

Electricity Cost Relocation Calculator

Compare what the same household electricity usage costs before and after a move. Pick your current state, where you are moving to, and your monthly kWh. Rates are EIA Electric Power Monthly residential averages (May 2026).

CaliforniaTexas
-$1753per year on electricity saved after the move
869 kWh/mo: California $298.94 vs Texas $152.86 = -$146.08/mo
California bill
$299
33.25c/kWh
Texas bill
$153
16.44c/kWh
Rate difference
-16.81c
-51% per kWh
Monthly change
$-146
$-1753/yr

This holds your usage constant to isolate the rate change. In reality, climate can move your kWh too: the average California household uses about 464 kWh/mo, while the average Texas household uses about 1,105 kWh/mo. A move to a hotter or colder climate, or to a larger home, will shift your consumption as well as your rate. Texas is deregulated, so you may be able to beat its average rate by shopping suppliers once you arrive.

How to shop for a better rate in Texas->

Popular Relocation Routes

Annual electricity cost change at the US average 869 kWh/month, current EIA rates (May 2026). Click a state to see its full rate breakdown.

CaliforniaTexas
33.3c → 16.4c per kWh
-$1753/yr
New YorkFlorida
29.9c → 15.2c per kWh
-$1539/yr
CaliforniaArizona
33.3c → 15.2c per kWh
-$1879/yr
IllinoisTennessee
23.9c → 14.5c per kWh
-$978/yr
New JerseyNorth Carolina
23.3c → 15.1c per kWh
-$853/yr
MassachusettsNew Hampshire
28.8c → 27.3c per kWh
-$155/yr
CaliforniaNevada
33.3c → 13.6c per kWh
-$2049/yr
New YorkGeorgia
29.9c → 15.8c per kWh
-$1469/yr

How This Calculator Works

Rates: EIA Electric Power Monthly
Each state's residential rate is the EIA Table 5.6.A average for that state, refreshed monthly. Current data is May 2026. These blend every utility in the state, so they are a directional estimate rather than your exact tariff.
Bill formula
Monthly bill = (state rate in cents / 100) x your kWh + a $10 typical fixed customer charge. The same formula drives our main bill calculator, so numbers are consistent across the site.
Usage held constant
We keep your kWh the same on both sides so the result isolates the rate change. This answers the precise question 'what does my current usage cost there instead of here'. We then show each state's average household usage so you can adjust for a hotter, colder, or larger home.
Deregulation noted
Where the destination state is deregulated, the state average is only a baseline. You may be able to do better by choosing a competitive supplier after you move, which we flag with a link to the switching guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my electricity bill go down if I move to another state?+
It depends entirely on the rate gap between the two states and your usage. Residential rates range from roughly 11 cents per kWh in the cheapest states (North Dakota, Nebraska, Utah, Idaho) to over 40 cents in Hawaii, with California around 33 cents. Moving from a high-rate state to a low-rate state at the US average usage of 869 kWh/month can change your bill by hundreds of dollars a year. Enter your own usage above for a personalised figure.
How much can I save on electricity moving from California to Texas?+
At 869 kWh/month, the typical California household electricity bill is about $299 versus about $153 in Texas, a difference of roughly $1753 per year, because California averages 33.25 cents per kWh and Texas averages 16.44 cents (May 2026, EIA). The catch: Texas summers are hotter, so air-conditioning load often pushes Texas usage above California usage, which narrows the real-world gap. The calculator above lets you adjust kWh to model that.
Does this calculator account for higher usage in hot or cold states?+
Not automatically. It holds your kWh constant so you can see the rate effect cleanly. That is the right starting point, but climate matters: moving somewhere with hot summers or cold winters, or into a larger home, usually raises consumption. We show each state's average household usage beneath the result so you can adjust the kWh input to reflect where you are moving to.
Are these the rates I will actually pay after moving?+
They are state-wide residential averages from the EIA Electric Power Monthly, which blend every utility in the state. Your actual rate depends on your specific utility, rate plan, and (in deregulated states) which supplier you choose. In regulated states the average is close to what most households pay; in deregulated states you may be able to beat it by shopping suppliers. Treat the result as a directional estimate, not a quote.
Which states have the cheapest electricity for someone relocating?+
As of the latest EIA data, the lowest residential rates are in North Dakota, Nebraska, Utah, Idaho, Washington, and Louisiana, generally 11 to 14 cents per kWh. The most expensive are Hawaii, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maine. If electricity cost is a relocation factor, moving from a New England or California rate to a Mountain West, Plains, or Pacific Northwest rate produces the largest savings.
Rates verified May 2026Page reviewed 2026-06-28Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A
State residential, commercial, and industrial averages from EIA Electric Power Monthly. Utility-level tariffs from OpenEI Utility Rate Database. Confirm exact charges on your current bill.
Oliver Wakefield-Smith
Oliver Wakefield-Smith
Founder, Digital Signet

I research consumer energy costs and publish open data from EIA Electric Power Monthly, state utility commissions, and OpenEI's Utility Rate Database. This site is independent: no utility, retailer, or installer pays for placement, and we hold no affiliate relationship that influences which utilities or states we cover.

All rate figures cite the EIA release month. Methodology and data sources are listed on the homepage. If you spot a figure that doesn't match your bill or your state's commission docket, please flag it.