Household energy prices are 55.18% higher in 2026 versus 2012 (a $0.07 difference in value).
The latest available average price is $0.196 in September 2026 for Electricity per KWH. See observed price history.
Between 2012 and 2026, Household energy experienced an average inflation rate of 3.19% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, household energy costing $0.13 in the year 2012 would cost $0.20 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.67% during this same period, inflation for household energy was higher.
In the year 2012: Pricing changed by -2.24%, which is significantly below the average yearly change for household energy during the 2012-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2012 (2.07%), inflation for household energy was much lower.
The official rate is based on an average household's spending, so your own inflation rate is probably different. The personal inflation calculator works it out from your budget.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of household energy rose 51%, from $0.130 per kWh in 2012 to $0.196 in September 2026. Overall prices rose 47% over the same period, so household energy kept pace with inflation. This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
● Price● Price, inflation-adjusted
The average price for household energy is calculated from a weighted average of retailer data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table below shows the average U.S. price of electricity per KWH each year, along with the same price adjusted for inflation. To understand how price levels differ from inflation rates, see this article published by the BLS.
| Year | Price (per kWh) | Price, inflation-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | $0.194 | $0.194 |
| 2025 | $0.185 | $0.194 |
| 2024 | $0.176 | $0.189 |
| 2023 | $0.168 | $0.186 |
| 2022 | $0.159 | $0.182 |
| 2021 | $0.141 | $0.175 |
| 2020 | $0.135 | $0.176 |
| 2019 | $0.136 | $0.180 |
| 2018 | $0.136 | $0.183 |
| 2017 | $0.138 | $0.189 |
| 2016 | $0.135 | $0.190 |
| 2015 | $0.138 | $0.196 |
| 2014 | $0.137 | $0.195 |
| 2013 | $0.132 | $0.191 |
| 2012 | $0.130 | $0.190 |
| 2011 | $0.130 | $0.194 |
| 2010 | $0.128 | $0.197 |
| 2009 | $0.127 | $0.200 |
| 2008 | $0.123 | $0.193 |
| 2007 | $0.117 | $0.190 |
| 2006 | $0.112 | $0.188 |
| 2005 | $0.100 | $0.173 |
| 2004 | $0.094 | $0.168 |
| 2003 | $0.093 | $0.170 |
| 2002 | $0.091 | $0.171 |
| 2001 | $0.092 | $0.176 |
| 2000 | $0.087 | $0.171 |
| 1999 | $0.086 | $0.175 |
| 1998 | $0.087 | $0.179 |
| 1997 | $0.094 | $0.198 |
| 1996 | $0.094 | $0.202 |
| 1995 | $0.094 | $0.207 |
| 1994 | $0.092 | $0.209 |
| 1993 | $0.092 | $0.214 |
| 1992 | $0.088 | $0.212 |
| 1991 | $0.087 | $0.214 |
| 1990 | $0.084 | $0.216 |
| 1989 | $0.082 | $0.222 |
| 1988 | $0.080 | $0.228 |
| 1987 | $0.079 | $0.234 |
| 1986 | $0.077 | $0.235 |
| 1985 | $0.081 | $0.254 |
| 1984 | $0.082 | $0.265 |
| 1983 | $0.078 | $0.265 |
| 1982 | $0.076 | $0.266 |
| 1981 | $0.069 | $0.257 |
| 1980 | $0.060 | $0.245 |
| 1979 | $0.050 | $0.234 |
| 1978 | $0.046 | $0.238 |
Yearly averages; 2026 is through September. Inflation-adjusted to 2026 dollars.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Household energy, over time, for $0.13 beginning in 2012. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | $0.13 | -2.24% |
| 2013 | $0.13 | 2.39% |
| 2014 | $0.14 | 4.31% |
| 2015 | $0.13 | -3.72% |
| 2016 | $0.13 | -1.86% |
| 2017 | $0.14 | 3.80% |
| 2018 | $0.14 | 1.27% |
| 2019 | $0.14 | -0.39% |
| 2020 | $0.14 | -0.28% |
| 2021 | $0.15 | 7.89% |
| 2022 | $0.17 | 17.69% |
| 2023 | $0.18 | 1.55% |
| 2024 | $0.18 | 2.44% |
| 2025 | $0.19 | 5.79% |
| 2026 | $0.20 | 5.38%* |
* 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 | 278.763 | 293.767 |