Data current through August 2026 — the latest available from the U.S. EIA, which publishes monthly figures on a roughly two-month delay.
Average monthly bill
Full bill breakdown →13.94¢/kWh × 826 kWh a month. Residential revenue divided by residential customers, averaged over the 12 months to August 2026 — the 48th highest among the 50 states and DC.
Compared with the U.S. and neighboring states
| Montana | $115 | |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. average | $158 | |
| South Dakota | $141 | |
| North Dakota | $133 | |
| Idaho | $116 | |
| Wyoming | $115 |
Montana is $43 a month below (-27.3%) the U.S. average of $158. Average monthly bill, September 2025 – August 2026.
How Montana makes its electricity
Fuel mix & trend since 2001 →Power plants →| Source | Share | Generation |
|---|---|---|
| Natural gas | 4.3% | 1,207 GWh |
| Coal | 30.7% | 8,570 GWh |
| Nuclear | 0.0% | 0 GWh |
| Wind | 24.2% | 6,738 GWh |
| Solar | 1.1% | 299 GWh |
| Hydro | 37.4% | 10,437 GWh |
| Other | 2.3% | 640 GWh |
27.9 TWh of net generation over the 12 months to August 2026. Generation, not consumption — power crosses state lines.
Montana electricity prices in context
Montana's residential electricity rate stood at 15.57¢/kWh in August 2026, ranking 33rd among the 50 states and DC. This rate runs 2.59¢/kWh below the US average of 18.16¢/kWh, placing Montana among the less expensive states. Among its bordering states, Montana's rate exceeds those in Wyoming at 14.43¢/kWh, South Dakota at 15.15¢/kWh, Idaho at 13.37¢/kWh, and North Dakota at 13.31¢/kWh. Commercial and industrial rates were 13.64¢/kWh and 7.97¢/kWh respectively.
Over the past five years since August 2021, the residential rate has climbed 34.1%, rising from 11.61¢/kWh. The longer view shows even steeper growth: since August 2006 the rate has increased 85.1% from 8.41¢/kWh, and since records began in January 2001 it has more than doubled, up 141.8% from 6.44¢/kWh. The current rate of 15.57¢/kWh stands at the state's highest point on record, well above the lowest mark of 6.31¢/kWh set in April 2001.
The average Montana household paid $115 per month in August 2026 while using 826 kWh, compared with the national average bill of $158 monthly on 876 kWh. Despite the rate being well below the national average, Montana's lower consumption keeps its typical monthly bill notably smaller than the national figure.
Written from the EIA figures on this page, covering data through August 2026.
12-month trend
Price history since 2001
Average retail price in all three sectors, every month since January 2001.
Residential
- Jan '01
- 6.44¢
- Now
- 15.57¢
- Change
- ▲ 141.8%
- Range
- 6.31–15.57¢
Recent months
| Month | Residential | Commercial | Industrial |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 15.57 | 13.64 | 7.97 |
| July 2026 | 14.99 | 13.33 | 7.71 |
| June 2026 | 15.14 | 13.48 | 6.69 |
| May 2026 | 14.67 | 13.24 | 6.98 |
| April 2026 | 13.90 | 12.66 | 5.99 |
| March 2026 | 13.48 | 12.42 | 5.99 |
| February 2026 | 13.33 | 12.52 | 6.90 |
| January 2026 | 12.86 | 11.84 | 7.41 |
| December 2025 | 12.77 | 11.62 | 6.34 |
| November 2025 | 12.82 | 11.68 | 6.88 |
| October 2025 | 14.27 | 12.62 | 6.97 |
| September 2025 | 14.64 | 12.94 | 7.32 |
Prices in ¢/kWh.