Electricity Prices in Chicago by Year, 1979–2024
A kilowatt-hour of electricity in the Chicago area cost $0.053 in January 1979 and $0.161 in Dec 2024, up 204%. Overall U.S. prices rose 390% over the same time, so after inflation it actually got cheaper.
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Chicago U.S. average
Electricity price history in Chicago
Chicago area, per kilowatt-hour. "In Aug 2026 dollars" adjusts each price for inflation with the national CPI.
| Year | Chicago | In Aug 2026 dollars | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2024 | $0.161 | $0.16 | $0.196 Aug 2026 |
| Jan 2024 | $0.174 | $0.19 | $0.173 |
| Jan 2023 | $0.151 | $0.17 | $0.168 |
| Jan 2022 | $0.153 | $0.18 | $0.147 |
| Jan 2021 | $0.140 | $0.18 | $0.136 |
| Jan 2020 | $0.145 | $0.19 | $0.134 |
| Jan 2019 | $0.161 | $0.21 | $0.135 |
| Jan 2018 | $0.162 | $0.22 | $0.135 |
| Jan 2017 | $0.152 | $0.21 | $0.134 |
| Jan 2016 | $0.153 | $0.22 | $0.134 |
| Jan 2015 | $0.172 | $0.25 | $0.138 |
| Jan 2014 | $0.138 | $0.20 | $0.134 |
| Jan 2013 | $0.152 | $0.22 | $0.129 |
| Jan 2012 | $0.153 | $0.23 | $0.128 |
| Jan 2011 | $0.142 | $0.22 | $0.125 |
| Jan 2010 | $0.136 | $0.21 | $0.124 |
| Jan 2009 | $0.145 | $0.23 | $0.126 |
| Jan 2008 | $0.127 | $0.20 | $0.116 |
| Jan 2007 | $0.128 | $0.21 | $0.113 |
| Jan 2006 | $0.101 | $0.17 | $0.108 |
| Jan 2005 | $0.101 | $0.18 | $0.094 |
| Jan 2004 | $0.101 | $0.18 | $0.091 |
| Jan 2003 | $0.101 | $0.19 | $0.089 |
| Jan 2002 | $0.101 | $0.19 | $0.089 |
| Jan 2001 | $0.103 | $0.20 | $0.088 |
| Jan 2000 | $0.103 | $0.20 | $0.084 |
| Jan 1999 | $0.102 | $0.21 | $0.084 |
| Jan 1998 | $0.119 | $0.25 | $0.086 |
| Jan 1997 | $0.118 | $0.25 | $0.092 |
| Jan 1996 | $0.110 | $0.24 | $0.091 |
| Jan 1995 | $0.115 | $0.26 | $0.091 |
| Jan 1994 | $0.076 | $0.17 | $0.090 |
| Jan 1993 | $0.106 | $0.25 | $0.089 |
| Jan 1992 | $0.102 | $0.25 | $0.085 |
| Jan 1991 | $0.084 | $0.21 | $0.084 |
| Jan 1990 | $0.091 | $0.24 | $0.081 |
| Jan 1989 | $0.092 | $0.25 | $0.079 |
| Jan 1988 | $0.078 | $0.23 | $0.078 |
| Jan 1987 | $0.084 | $0.25 | $0.075 |
| Jan 1986 | $0.090 | $0.28 | $0.081 |
| Jan 1985 | $0.090 | $0.29 | $0.079 |
| Jan 1984 | $0.092 | $0.30 | $0.078 |
| Jan 1983 | $0.087 | $0.30 | $0.075 |
| Jan 1982 | $0.077 | $0.27 | $0.073 |
| Jan 1981 | $0.069 | $0.27 | $0.063 |
| Jan 1980 | $0.055 | $0.24 | $0.053 |
| Jan 1979 | $0.053 | $0.26 | $0.046 |
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Source
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Average Price Data, series APUS23A72610 (via FRED). Prices are January averages for urban areas; the newest row is the latest month published. Inflation adjustment: BLS CPI-U, all items (FRED CPIAUCNS).
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