Average Electric Bill in Maryland — May 2026
The average residential electric bill in Maryland is $158/mo as of May 2026, at an average price of 21.77¢/kWh — +14.6% versus a year earlier.
Maryland at a glance
Price history (last 12 months)
| Month | Avg residential price |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | 21.77¢/kWh |
| April 2026 | 22.07¢/kWh |
| March 2026 | 35.85¢/kWh |
| February 2026 | 20.08¢/kWh |
| January 2026 | 20.61¢/kWh |
| December 2025 | 19.57¢/kWh |
| November 2025 | 21.34¢/kWh |
| October 2025 | 22.30¢/kWh |
| September 2025 | 21.05¢/kWh |
| August 2025 | 19.83¢/kWh |
| July 2025 | 18.83¢/kWh |
| June 2025 | 19.29¢/kWh |
| May 2025 | 19.00¢/kWh |
Residential average retail price by month. Source: U.S. EIA (public domain).
Why your bill is rising
Maryland is in the PJM Interconnection footprint, and PJM capacity prices for the next delivery years have already cleared at auction. These are contract results, not forecasts — they flow into residential bills as a capacity charge, on top of whatever fuel and distribution costs do.
- locked2026/2027 delivery year (Jun 2026 - May 2027)+0.41¢/kWh · ≈+$2.98/mo
Monthly impact at the state-average usage of 727 kWh/mo.
Locked PJM capacity change vs the 2025/2026 auction ($269.92/MW-day) already in the bill, RTO-wide clearing price converted at a 60% system load factor. Several utility zones cleared higher - treat as a floor. source · 2025-07-22
- locked2027/2028 delivery year (Jun 2027 - May 2028)+0.44¢/kWh · ≈+$3.20/mo
Monthly impact at the state-average usage of 727 kWh/mo.
Locked PJM capacity change vs the 2025/2026 auction ($269.92/MW-day) already in the bill, RTO-wide clearing price converted at a 60% system load factor. Several utility zones cleared higher - treat as a floor. source · 2025-12-17
- locked2028/2029 delivery year (Jun 2028 - May 2029)+0.38¢/kWh · ≈+$2.76/mo
Monthly impact at the state-average usage of 727 kWh/mo.
Locked PJM capacity change vs the 2025/2026 auction ($269.92/MW-day) already in the bill, RTO-wide clearing price converted at a 60% system load factor. Several utility zones cleared higher - treat as a floor. source · 2026-07-14
- trendIf the last 12 months' trend continues+3.17¢/kWh · ≈+$23.05/mo
Monthly impact at the state-average usage of 727 kWh/mo.
Extends the observed year-over-year residential price change (EIA) one more year. Context, not a promise - fuel and distribution costs can move either way. source · 2026-05
Not sure if your own bill jump is price, usage, or both? Our diagnostic guide walks through both checks.
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Maryland average: $158/mo at 21.77¢/kWh (+14.6% YoY)
Your bill is 5.2% below the state average (≈689 kWh/mo at the state average price).
Where your bill is headed:
- locked2027/2028 delivery year (Jun 2027 - May 2028)+$0.21/mo
- locked2028/2029 delivery year (Jun 2028 - May 2029)-$0.21/mo
- trendIf the last 12 months' trend continues+$21.84/mo
“Locked” = PJM capacity auction prices already cleared (a floor - several utility zones cleared higher). “Trend” = the observed 12-month EIA trend extended, not a promise.
Three ways to fight it:
- Switch your plan. Maryland lets residents pick their electricity supplier. Plan comparison coming soon.
- Find your energy hogs. See what each appliance actually costs to run at Maryland rates: cost-to-run guides.
- Get a home energy audit. DOE guide to professional and DIY audits.
Estimate only, based on official data as of May 2026 (U.S. EIA residential averages; PJM auction results). Your actual plan price differs.
Get the Maryland rate alert
One email a month when the Maryland numbers update from the EIA refresh - price, average bill and trend, sourced and dated.
Can you switch plans in Maryland?
Yes, with a caveat. Maryland has a deregulated retail electricity market, but switching is constrained here: Maryland's SB1 (2025) caps retail supplier prices below the standard offer and limits contracts to 12 months, so supplier offers are limited.
Plan comparison partners coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average electric bill in Maryland?
- The average residential electric bill in Maryland is $158/mo as of May 2026, at an average price of 21.77¢/kWh (+14.6% versus a year earlier), per official U.S. EIA data.
- Why are electric bills changing in Maryland?
- Maryland is in the PJM Interconnection footprint, where capacity prices for upcoming delivery years have already cleared at auction - a contract result, not a forecast, that flows into residential bills as a capacity charge on top of fuel and distribution costs.
- Can I switch electricity suppliers in Maryland?
- Yes, with a caveat. Maryland has a deregulated retail electricity market, but switching is constrained: Maryland's SB1 (2025) caps retail supplier prices below the standard offer and limits contracts to 12 months, so supplier offers are limited.
Estimate only, based on official data as of May 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, residential retail sales (public domain), refreshed monthly. PJM capacity figures are Base Residual Auction clearing prices. Your actual plan price differs.