Electricity Prices in Washington, DC by Year, 1979–2024
A kilowatt-hour of electricity in the Washington, DC area cost $0.045 in January 1979 and $0.165 in Dec 2024, up 267%. Overall U.S. prices rose 390% over the same time, so after inflation it actually got cheaper.
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Washington, DC U.S. average
Electricity price history in Washington, DC
Washington, DC area, per kilowatt-hour. "In Aug 2026 dollars" adjusts each price for inflation with the national CPI.
| Year | Washington, DC | In Aug 2026 dollars | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2024 | $0.165 | $0.17 | $0.196 Aug 2026 |
| Jan 2024 | $0.156 | $0.17 | $0.173 |
| Jan 2023 | $0.152 | $0.17 | $0.168 |
| Jan 2022 | $0.133 | $0.16 | $0.147 |
| Jan 2021 | $0.127 | $0.16 | $0.136 |
| Jan 2020 | $0.128 | $0.17 | $0.134 |
| Jan 2019 | $0.126 | $0.17 | $0.135 |
| Jan 2018 | $0.127 | $0.17 | $0.135 |
| Jan 2017 | $0.123 | $0.17 | $0.134 |
| Jan 2016 | $0.125 | $0.18 | $0.134 |
| Jan 2015 | $0.123 | $0.18 | $0.138 |
| Jan 2014 | $0.124 | $0.18 | $0.134 |
| Jan 2013 | $0.116 | $0.17 | $0.129 |
| Jan 2012 | $0.119 | $0.18 | $0.128 |
| Jan 2011 | $0.123 | $0.19 | $0.125 |
| Jan 2010 | $0.127 | $0.20 | $0.124 |
| Jan 1997 | $0.070 | $0.15 | $0.092 |
| Jan 1996 | $0.069 | $0.15 | $0.091 |
| Jan 1995 | $0.083 | $0.18 | $0.091 |
| Jan 1994 | $0.081 | $0.19 | $0.090 |
| Jan 1993 | $0.078 | $0.18 | $0.089 |
| Jan 1992 | $0.077 | $0.19 | $0.085 |
| Jan 1991 | $0.074 | $0.18 | $0.084 |
| Jan 1990 | $0.069 | $0.18 | $0.081 |
| Jan 1989 | $0.071 | $0.20 | $0.079 |
| Jan 1988 | $0.070 | $0.20 | $0.078 |
| Jan 1987 | $0.070 | $0.21 | $0.075 |
| Jan 1986 | $0.072 | $0.22 | $0.081 |
| Jan 1985 | $0.068 | $0.22 | $0.079 |
| Jan 1984 | $0.067 | $0.22 | $0.078 |
| Jan 1983 | $0.068 | $0.23 | $0.075 |
| Jan 1982 | $0.064 | $0.23 | $0.073 |
| Jan 1981 | $0.058 | $0.22 | $0.063 |
| Jan 1980 | $0.053 | $0.23 | $0.053 |
| Jan 1979 | $0.045 | $0.22 | $0.046 |
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Source
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Average Price Data, series APUS35A72610 (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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