Tennessee Electricity Rates and Average Bill
Data through August 2026 (the latest month EIA has published) · Updated October 31, 2026
As of August 2026, the average residential electricity rate in Tennessee is 13.42¢/kWh (the 6th-lowest in the U.S.) and the average monthly bill is $205.56, per EIA data. That rate is 4.7¢ below the U.S. average of 18.16¢/kWh.
Rate trend, last three years
View this chart as a table (last 12 months)
| Month | Rate (¢/kWh) | Avg bill ($/mo) | Avg usage (kWh/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | 13.30 | 157.37 | 1183 |
| October 2025 | 13.08 | 126.09 | 964 |
| November 2025 | 13.49 | 117.65 | 872 |
| December 2025 | 12.89 | 157.82 | 1225 |
| January 2026 | 13.10 | 179.44 | 1370 |
| February 2026 | 12.82 | 205.40 | 1602 |
| March 2026 | 15.08 | 148.84 | 987 |
| April 2026 | 14.94 | 137.02 | 917 |
| May 2026 | 14.47 | 129.59 | 896 |
| June 2026 | 14.07 | 168.28 | 1196 |
| July 2026 | 13.71 | 204.74 | 1494 |
| August 2026 | 13.42 | 205.56 | 1532 |
Tennessee vs the U.S. average
| Tennessee | U.S. average | |
|---|---|---|
| Rate (August 2026) | 13.42¢/kWh | 18.16¢/kWh |
| Average monthly bill | $205.56 | $209.23 |
| Average monthly usage | 1532 kWh | 1152 kWh |
| Rate change, 1 year | +2.5% | +3.4% |
| Rate change, 5 years | +20.5% | +30.5% |
Tennessee's average residential rate of 13.42¢/kWh for August 2026 ranks 6th of 51 (1 = lowest). Over the past year the rate moved +2.5% (Tennessee) versus +3.4% nationally; over five years, +20.5% versus +30.5% nationally. Average usage of 1532 kWh/month compares with 1152 kWh nationally, which is why the bill and rate ranks can differ. For how Tennessee's recent increase ranks against every other state (12-month, 3-year and 5-year changes), see electricity rate increases by state.
Largest utilities in Tennessee
Average effective rates and bills for Tennessee's largest utilities, from EIA Form 861-M (August 2026). Or find yours by ZIP code.
| Utility | Rate (¢/kWh) | Avg bill ($/mo) | Avg usage (kWh/mo) | Residential customers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville Electric Service | 13.88 | 180.21 | 1,298 | 434,829 |
| City of Memphis | 13.80 | 238.80 | 1,731 | 382,810 |
| Middle Tennessee E M C | 12.24 | 205.53 | 1,679 | 320,375 |
| Knoxville Utilities Board | 14.50 | 177.69 | 1,225 | 202,283 |
| City of Chattanooga | 12.80 | 180.03 | 1,407 | 168,273 |
| Volunteer Electric Coop | 13.49 | 186.59 | 1,383 | 106,858 |
| Cumberland Elec Member Corp | 13.56 | 237.84 | 1,753 | 103,843 |
| City of Clarksville | 13.84 | 184.59 | 1,333 | 80,233 |
| Johnson City | 14.10 | 169.39 | 1,202 | 73,896 |
| Duck River Elec Member Corp | 13.56 | 218.47 | 1,611 | 73,471 |
Average bill = rate × average usage. Utilities with similar rates can show very different average bills because their customers' average usage differs (housing mix, heating fuel, climate).
Estimate a bill at Tennessee rates
Worked example: 1,000 kWh at Tennessee's average rate of 13.42¢/kWh is about $134.20. The state's actual average usage is 1532 kWh/month, which is what produces the $205.56 average bill. These are average effective rates including all charges; your utility's tariff will differ.
Wondering what's behind rising rates nationally? See Why is my electric bill so high?, our data-led explainer on demand growth, data centers, and grid costs. Also: Tennessee gas prices and why they are what they are, and the cheapest way to heat a home by fuel and state.
Source: EIA retail sales data (residential sector, monthly), published with roughly a two-month lag. Rate = revenue ÷ sales; bill = revenue ÷ customers. We do not project unpublished months. See methodology.