What is the cheapest state to charge an EV in 2026?

Washington and Idaho tie for cheapest at around $0.11/kWh residential rate. Charging a typical EV costs about $31 per month in these states — roughly 60% less than Hawaii.

What is the most expensive state to charge an EV?

Hawaii is the most expensive at approximately $0.40/kWh, followed by Connecticut ($0.30/kWh) and Massachusetts ($0.29/kWh).

Is it cheaper to charge an EV or buy gas in every state?

Yes, home EV charging is cheaper than gasoline in all 50 states at 2026 average rates. Even in expensive-electricity states like Hawaii and California, the per-mile cost of home EV charging is lower than gasoline.

EV Charging Cost by State: All 50 States Ranked (2026)

Updated May 2026 · 12 min read · Data: U.S. EIA + AAA

Electricity rates vary nearly 4x across U.S. states — from $0.11/kWh in Washington to $0.40/kWh in Hawaii. That means the same EV driven the same distance can cost $31/month or $114/month depending on where you live.

We've compiled 2026 electricity rates for all 50 states plus DC, calculated monthly charging costs based on a typical EV (3.5 mi/kWh efficiency, 1,000 miles/month), and compared them to local gas prices.

How to read this table: Monthly cost assumes 1,000 miles driven, 3.5 mi/kWh efficiency (similar to a Tesla Model Y), charged at home. Annual savings compares home EV charging to a 28 MPG gas car at local gas prices.

State ↕	$/kWh ↕	$/Month ↕	$/Year ↕	Gas $/gal ↕	Annual Savings ↕

Key Takeaways

Cheapest states for EV charging: Washington ($0.11/kWh), Idaho ($0.11/kWh), North Dakota ($0.11/kWh), and several southern/plains states at $0.12/kWh including Oregon, Utah, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Wyoming. Drivers in these states pay roughly $31–$34/month to charge.

Most expensive states: Hawaii ($0.40/kWh), California ($0.33/kWh), Connecticut ($0.30/kWh), Massachusetts ($0.29/kWh), and other Northeast states. Expect $83–$114/month for charging.

Best savings vs gas: California offers the biggest annual savings (~$1,500) because gas is so expensive ($5.30/gal) even though electricity rates are high. Conversely, states with cheap gas and moderate electricity (like Oklahoma) offer smaller savings (~$700/year) but still favor EVs.

Regional Patterns

Pacific Northwest: The cheapest region for EV charging thanks to abundant hydroelectric power. Washington and Oregon average $0.11–$0.12/kWh.

Southeast & Plains: Consistently affordable at $0.12–$0.15/kWh. Low gas prices reduce the EV advantage somewhat, but home charging still saves $700–$1,000/year.

Northeast: Expensive electricity ($0.19–$0.30/kWh) but moderate gas prices. EV savings are solid due to the gas prices still being high enough to offset electricity costs.

California: The paradox state — very expensive electricity ($0.33/kWh) but even more expensive gas ($5.30/gal). EVs save the most money here in absolute dollars despite high charging costs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the cheapest state to charge an EV? ▼

Washington and Idaho at ~$0.11/kWh, thanks to abundant hydroelectric power. Monthly charging costs roughly $31 — less than half of what drivers in Hawaii or California pay.

What's the most expensive state to charge an EV? ▼

Hawaii at approximately $0.40/kWh, costing around $114/month for 1,000 miles of driving. Connecticut and Massachusetts follow at $0.29–$0.30/kWh.

Is it cheaper to charge an EV than buy gas in every state? ▼

Yes, in all 50 states at 2026 average rates. Even Hawaii's expensive electricity ($0.40/kWh) produces a per-mile cost of ~$0.114 for an EV, still cheaper than gas at $5.00/gallon (~$0.179/mile).