Homes in Ohio pay an average of 19.19¢ per kWh, 5% above the national average of 18.34¢. Enter your bill to see where you stand.
Ohio ranks 33rd cheapest of 51 (50 states plus D.C.) for residential electricity. At 19.19¢/kWh, it sits 5% above the national average of 18.34¢, and prices are up 9.7% over the past year.
The typical Ohio household uses about 829 kWh a month and pays around $159. Among Midwest states, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota have lower rates.
Ohio lets households buy the electricity itself from a competitive retail electric service (CRES) provider, while AEP Ohio, FirstEnergy (Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company, Toledo Edison), Duke Energy Ohio and AES Ohio keep delivering power, reading meters and handling outages. The program is overseen by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).
If you've never shopped, you're on the standard service offer, shown on your bill as the price to compare. Ohio's apples-to-apples charts list every certified supplier's offer for your utility, making it one of the easiest states to compare fixed and variable rates side by side.
Many Ohio communities run opt-out aggregation programs that buy power in bulk for residents. If your town has one, you may already be enrolled; check the supplier name on your bill.
With a typical Ohio bill of about $159, supply is roughly $87 of it. A supply price 10% below your current default rate would save about $9 a month ($105 a year); delivery charges don't change.
Have your utility account number ready, compare offers on Energy Choice Ohio (energychoice.ohio.gov), PUCO's official apples-to-apples comparison, and sign up with the supplier you choose. The supplier arranges the switch with your utility and your power isn't interrupted. Note when any fixed rate ends, because many suppliers then move you to a variable rate.
Your utility delivers the power and stays the same whichever supplier you choose. Its name is at the top of your bill.
| Utility | Main service area |
|---|---|
| AEP Ohio | Columbus and large parts of central and southern Ohio |
| The Illuminating Company (FirstEnergy) | Cleveland and northeast Ohio |
| Ohio Edison (FirstEnergy) | Akron, Youngstown and much of northern Ohio |
| Toledo Edison (FirstEnergy) | Toledo and northwest Ohio |
| Duke Energy Ohio | Cincinnati and southwest Ohio |
| AES Ohio | Dayton and west-central Ohio |
Ohio created retail choice with Senate Bill 3 in 1999; shopping began in 2001. Today the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) oversees the market.
The average residential rate in Ohio is 19.19 cents per kWh as of September 2026, 5% above the national average of 18.34¢, and about $159 a month for a typical home.
If you haven't chosen a supplier, you're on the standard service offer, shown on your bill as the price to compare. It's the price any supplier offer needs to beat.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). You can compare offers on Energy Choice Ohio (energychoice.ohio.gov), PUCO's official apples-to-apples comparison.
Many Ohio communities run opt-out aggregation programs that buy power in bulk for residents. If your town has one, you may already be enrolled; check the supplier name on your bill.
Averages are EIA residential revenue divided by kWh sold, September 2026. Your rate depends on your utility, plan and season. See average rates for all 50 states.