What is the average electric bill in Chicago in 2026?

EIA does not publish a Chicago bill. The official figure for Illinois is $126.59 a month. That is the 2025 residential average, released October 7, 2026, and it is the latest full-year number.

Why does a 2026 page use a 2025 bill?

The annual EIA bill is a full calendar year. Final 2025 numbers were released on October 7, 2026. Monthly 2026 figures are still preliminary and are not a full-year average.

How much is electricity per kWh in Illinois?

17.67¢ per kilowatt-hour, on about 716 kWh a month. A high bill can come from the rate, from heavy use, or from both. Electric use is below the national average, and so is the bill.

Residential electric bill

Average Electric Bill in Chicago 2026

The average electric bill in Chicago is $126.59 a month. That is the Illinois residential average. EIA publishes this figure by state, not by city.

$126.59per month

Rank: 37 of 51
Price: 17.67¢ per kWh
Typical use: 716 kWh

That is $24.09 below the U.S. average of $150.68. Over a year it is about $1,519.08. The price and the kilowatt-hours are the EIA residential averages for Illinois in 2025.

Cold winters beside Lake Michigan. Statewide electric use is still below the national average. Electric use is below the national average, and so is the bill.

EIA builds the average bill from residential revenue divided by the number of residential customers (5,423,184 in Illinois). It includes the energy and delivery charges utilities reported. It is not a quote for one house. A larger home, electric heat, or a time-of-use plan can land far from this average.

Cities in Illinois

EIA does not publish a separate city bill. Each city below uses this Illinois average.

Chicago

The other big bills on a house

The electric bill shows up every month. The expensive years are usually a roof, an HVAC system, or a water heater.

Questions people ask

What is the average electric bill in Chicago in 2026?: EIA does not publish a Chicago bill. The official figure for Illinois is $126.59 a month. That is the 2025 residential average, released October 7, 2026, and it is the latest full-year number.
Why does a 2026 page use a 2025 bill?: The annual EIA bill is a full calendar year. Final 2025 numbers were released on October 7, 2026. Monthly 2026 figures are still preliminary and are not a full-year average.
How much is electricity per kWh in Illinois?: 17.67¢ per kilowatt-hour, on about 716 kWh a month. A high bill can come from the rate, from heavy use, or from both. Electric use is below the national average, and so is the bill.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-861, residential average monthly bill, calendar year 2025, released October 7, 2026. EIA-861 data files. Figures are rounded to the cent, to 0.01¢ per kWh, and to the nearest kilowatt-hour.

Average electric bill by state 2026 · Average electric bill in Illinois