According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for household energy are 160.22% higher in 2026 versus 1992 (a $0.30 difference in value).
The current national average price is $0.19 for "Electricity per KWH". This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
Between 1992 and 2026:Household energy experienced an average inflation rate of 2.85% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, household energy costing $0.19 in the year 1992 would cost $0.49 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.49% during this same period, inflation for household energy was higher.
In the year 1992: Pricing changed by 1.30%, which is below the average yearly change for household energy during the 1992-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1992 (3.03%), inflation for household energy was lower.
The average price for Household energy is calculated from a weighted average of retailer data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Inflation rate is also calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table below shows average prices and their corresponding "real" prices adjusted for inflation rate. To understand how price levels differ from inflation rates, see this article published by the BLS.
Average prices for Electricity per KWH:
| Year | Average price (Household energy) | Inflation adjusted price (2026 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.19 (latest available value) | $0.19 |
| 2025 | $0.18 | $0.19 |
| 2024 | $0.18 | $0.19 |
| 2023 | $0.17 | $0.18 |
| 2022 | $0.16 | $0.18 |
| 2021 | $0.14 | $0.18 |
| 2020 | $0.14 | $0.19 |
| 2019 | $0.14 | $0.19 |
| 2018 | $0.14 | $0.19 |
| 2017 | $0.14 | $0.20 |
| 2016 | $0.14 | $0.20 |
| 2015 | $0.14 | $0.20 |
| 2014 | $0.14 | $0.19 |
| 2013 | $0.13 | $0.19 |
| 2012 | $0.13 | $0.19 |
| 2011 | $0.13 | $0.19 |
| 2010 | $0.13 | $0.19 |
| 2009 | $0.13 | $0.19 |
| 2008 | $0.12 | $0.17 |
| 2007 | $0.12 | $0.18 |
| 2006 | $0.11 | $0.18 |
| 2005 | $0.10 | $0.17 |
| 2004 | $0.09 | $0.18 |
| 2003 | $0.09 | $0.19 |
| 2002 | $0.09 | $0.20 |
| 2001 | $0.09 | $0.19 |
| 2000 | $0.09 | $0.20 |
| 1999 | $0.09 | $0.21 |
| 1998 | $0.09 | $0.21 |
| 1997 | $0.09 | $0.23 |
| 1996 | $0.09 | $0.23 |
| 1995 | $0.09 | $0.24 |
| 1994 | $0.09 | $0.23 |
| 1993 | $0.09 | $0.23 |
| 1992 | $0.09 | $0.23 |
| 1991 | $0.09 | $0.23 |
| 1990 | $0.08 | $0.23 |
| 1989 | $0.08 | $0.23 |
| 1988 | $0.08 | $0.23 |
| 1987 | $0.08 | $0.23 |
| 1986 | $0.08 | $0.22 |
| 1985 | $0.08 | $0.22 |
| 1984 | $0.08 | $0.22 |
| 1983 | $0.08 | $0.22 |
| 1982 | $0.08 | $0.22 |
| 1981 | $0.07 | $0.22 |
| 1980 | $0.06 | $0.23 |
| 1979 | $0.05 | $0.23 |
| 1978 | $0.05 | $0.24 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Household energy, over time, for $0.19 beginning in 1992. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | $0.19 | 1.30% |
| 1993 | $0.20 | 2.88% |
| 1994 | $0.20 | 0.40% |
| 1995 | $0.20 | -0.13% |
| 1996 | $0.20 | 3.34% |
| 1997 | $0.21 | 2.31% |
| 1998 | $0.20 | -3.53% |
| 1999 | $0.20 | -0.22% |
| 2000 | $0.22 | 8.18% |
| 2001 | $0.24 | 10.30% |
| 2002 | $0.22 | -6.03% |
| 2003 | $0.24 | 8.59% |
| 2004 | $0.25 | 4.54% |
| 2005 | $0.28 | 11.85% |
| 2006 | $0.31 | 9.60% |
| 2007 | $0.32 | 2.64% |
| 2008 | $0.35 | 10.49% |
| 2009 | $0.33 | -6.32% |
| 2010 | $0.33 | 0.62% |
| 2011 | $0.34 | 2.30% |
| 2012 | $0.33 | -2.24% |
| 2013 | $0.34 | 2.39% |
| 2014 | $0.36 | 4.31% |
| 2015 | $0.34 | -3.72% |
| 2016 | $0.34 | -1.86% |
| 2017 | $0.35 | 3.80% |
| 2018 | $0.35 | 1.27% |
| 2019 | $0.35 | -0.39% |
| 2020 | $0.35 | -0.28% |
| 2021 | $0.38 | 7.89% |
| 2022 | $0.45 | 17.69% |
| 2023 | $0.45 | 1.55% |
| 2024 | $0.46 | 2.44% |
| 2025 | $0.49 | 5.61% |
| 2026 | $0.49 | 1.07%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Household energy:
| Year | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 21.417 | 21.700 | 22.133 | 23.100 | 24.708 | 25.717 | 27.508 | 34.417 | 39.367 | 43.350 | 48.958 | 52.975 | 61.325 | 74.833 | 87.150 | 95.558 | 100.458 | 103.958 | 104.533 | 99.175 | 97.283 | 97.992 | 100.867 | 104.458 | 106.700 | 108.092 | 111.208 | 111.650 | 111.500 | 115.225 | 117.892 | 113.733 | 113.483 | 122.767 | 135.408 | 127.242 | 138.167 | 144.433 | 161.550 | 177.067 | 181.744 | 200.808 | 188.113 | 189.286 | 193.648 | 189.308 | 193.840 | 202.192 | 194.667 | 191.050 | 198.308 | 200.826 | 200.042 | 199.488 | 215.222 | 253.306 | 257.234 | 263.500 | 278.282 | 281.272 |