Electricity costs continued to rise for U.S. businesses in June 2026, according to the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The average price paid by commercial customers reached 14.19 cents per kilowatt-hour, an increase of 4.8% from June 2025. Industrial users paid an average of 9.17 cents per kilowatt-hour, representing a 3% year-over-year increase.
The increases were part of a broader national trend. Average electricity revenue per kilowatt-hour across all customer categories rose 4.5% compared with the previous June. Forty-three states and the District of Columbia recorded higher electricity prices, while only seven states experienced declines.
Commercial electricity consumption also increased by 3.4% year over year, while industrial consumption rose 1.3%. The combination of higher rates and growing usage can create a meaningful increase in operating expenses, particularly for properties and facilities with extensive HVAC systems, refrigeration, manufacturing equipment or other energy-intensive operations.
Regional differences remain substantial. Among the contiguous states, California, Massachusetts and Rhode Island reported some of the country’s highest average electricity prices. New Mexico, North Dakota and Wyoming were among the lowest-cost markets.
For commercial property owners, facility managers and industrial users, the EIA data reinforces the need to examine more than total monthly consumption. Utility bills may also include demand charges, rate classifications, taxes, riders and other costs that can change over time or may not accurately reflect how a facility operates.
Regular utility-bill auditing can help identify billing discrepancies, incorrect rate assignments and unusual consumption patterns. Energy-efficiency improvements, equipment scheduling and peak-demand management may provide additional opportunities to control expenses even when utility rates continue rising.
Businesses cannot control marketwide electricity prices, but they can take steps to understand how charges are calculated and reduce avoidable costs. As energy becomes a larger component of operating budgets, consistent monitoring and informed utility management are increasingly important to protecting profitability.