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Average Residential Electricity Bill (2021)
In 2021, the state of Arizona posted the second-highest average monthly electricity bill at $131.40, just behind Texas. That was about $10 higher than the average bill nationally. Utah had the lowest average monthly electricity bill at $80.90. Arizona's average monthly bill declined slightly between 2020 and 2021. Arizona's relatively high electricity bills are due to the high levels of electricity consumption coupled with a higher-than-average price per kWh.
Why is it important?
Utilities are considered natural monopolies, where competition and free-market entry do not exist; therefore, the government regulates electric utilities. Government regulation serves to ensure that service is adequate, companies are responsive, prices are fair, and that the utility sticks to strict safety standards. Even with government regulation, the average price of electricity can vary widely because of variations in the operating costs of the utility. Additionally, prices may vary based on time-of-day pricing and consumer charges.
Electricity use accounts for a large share of household spending. Customers who generate their own electricity through net metering may reduce their utility purchases and sell energy back to a utility. Net metering is one way that electricity consumers are reducing their overall energy costs. Households that participate in net metering typically generate energy through personal solar collection, but may also use other means, such as wind, hydroelectric, or virtual solar.
How do we compare?
In 2021, the state of Arizona posted an average electricity price of 12.6 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Arizona had the fourth-highest average electricity price among western states. California’s average electricity price at 22.9 cents per kilowatt-hour was substantially higher than the western states and the nation. The U.S. average at 13.7 cents per kilowatt-hour was greater than all the western states, except California. Electricity prices in the Northwest were among the lowest, with Washington leading the way at 10.1 cents per kWh.
Tucson Electric Power and Trico Electric Cooperative both served select areas of Pima County and posted average electricity prices consistent with the state of Arizona. In 2021, Tucson Electric Power had a slightly higher price than the state, at 13.4 cents per kWh, while Trico Electric Cooperative had a significantly higher price at 14.3 cents.
In 2021, there was a significant variation in the average electricity price among utility companies located in Arizona with prices ranging from 8.2 cents per kWh to 14.6. The second highest-priced utility, at 14.3 cents per kWh, was Trico Electric Cooperative, which serves portions of Pima County.
The number of customers who participate in net metering has been on the rise. Between 2013 and 2021, Tucson Electric Power, Trico Electric Cooperative, and the state of Arizona all posted an increase in the number of net metering customers. Tucson Electric Power’s growth of 686.9% in net metering customers during that time outpaced Trico Electric Cooperative and the state of Arizona which reported slightly lower gains of 451.4% and 522.7% respectively. In 2017, the U.S. Energy Information Administration began to measure a new net metering option, virtual solar, where customers can belong or subscribe to a solar community and reap the benefits of solar net metering without having to install rooftop solar. Currently, within the state of Arizona, Trico Electric Cooperative has virtual net metering customers. Visit the Energy Use Comparison page to explore the virtual net metering data.
Currently, seven utilities in Arizona report net metering customers. In 2021, Arizona Public Service Company reported the largest number of net metering customers, with 11,311 per 100,000 customers, while Tucson Electric Power reported 8,247 net metering customers per 100,000.
In 2021, California far surpassed the other western states, with 9,944 net metering customers per 100,000. Arizona ranked second, with 7,155 net metering customers per 100,000, while Texas came in last. The number of residential net metering customers throughout the U.S. increased by 18.7% between 2020 and 2021 to 3,191,982 (EIA, Electric Power Annual 2021, Table 4.10).
How is it measured?
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports data on the average price of electricity for the U.S., the states, and utility providers. Net metering data is reported to the EIA by each individual utility, which EIA compiles and publishes for the public. The EIA is the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. They collect, analyze, and disseminate information that covers the full spectrum of energy sources, end uses, and energy flows. Data is reported monthly and annually.
