State average · reviewed October 14, 2026
Why are Montana electric bills so high?
In July 2026 the average residential price in Montana was 14.99¢ per kWh, compared with 14.27¢ in July 2025 (+5.0%). The 2025 average monthly bill was $110.80 for 853 kWh. A single household can sit far from those averages because of usage, a rider, or a different utility.
EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A · Reviewed October 14, 2026
EIA-861 2025 average bill · Reviewed October 14, 2026
- July 2026
- 14.99¢
- +5.0% vs July 2025
- 2025 average bill
- $110.80
- 853 kWh a month
- 2025 average price
- 12.99¢
- 565,902 residential customers
Full service and delivery
Among distribution utilities in this extract, delivery-only residential customers were 0.0% of bundled plus delivery customers. A high share means many households buy energy from someone else. A low share means most reported customers are still full service. This is not a legal map of retail choice. Needs verification for a specific address.
Calculated from EIA-861 2025 residential customer counts · Reviewed October 14, 2026
Utilities
| Utility | Customers | Average shown | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avista | 376,350 | Full service | 13.37¢ |
| NorthWestern Energy | 334,012 | Full service | 14.42¢ |
| Montana-Dakota Utilities | 120,678 | Full service | 11.47¢ |
| Black Hills Power | 69,800 | Full service | 15.07¢ |
| Flathead Electric Coop | 64,334 | Full service | 10.04¢ |
| Northern Lights | 22,890 | Full service | 12.32¢ |
| Yellowstone Valley Elec Co-op | 21,471 | Full service | 14.22¢ |
| Fall River Rural Elec Coop | 17,824 | Full service | 11.10¢ |
| USBIA-Mission Valley Power | 16,353 | Full service | 9.39¢ |
| Powder River Energy | 15,599 | Full service | 12.20¢ |
| Missoula Electric Coop | 14,911 | Full service | 10.93¢ |
| Fergus Electric Coop | 6,855 | Full service | 15.91¢ |
| McKenzie Electric Coop | 5,392 | Full service | 8.03¢ |
| Lower Yellowstone R E A | 3,927 | Full service | 9.15¢ |
No residential customers in the 2025 extract
These 23 EIA respondents touch Montana and reported no residential sales in the files used here. Their profiles stay online so an old link does not 404, and they are left out of the sitemap so they are not indexed as thin pages.
- Beartooth Electric Coop, Inc · Cooperative
- Big Flat Electric Coop Inc · Cooperative
- Big Horn County Elec Coop, Inc · Cooperative
- Big Horn Rural Electric Co · Cooperative
- Bonneville Power Administration · Federal
- City of Troy - (MT) · Municipal
- Glacier Electric Coop, Inc · Cooperative
- Goldenwest Electric Coop, Inc · Cooperative
- Grand Electric Coop, Inc · Cooperative
- Hill County Electric Coop, Inc · Cooperative
- Lincoln Electric Coop, Inc · Cooperative
- Marias River Electric Coop Inc · Cooperative
- McCone Electric Coop Inc · Cooperative
- Mid-Yellowstone Elec Coop, Inc · Cooperative
- NorVal Electric Cooperative, Inc · Cooperative
- Park Electric Coop Inc · Cooperative
- Ravalli County Elec Coop, Inc · Cooperative
- Sheridan Electric Coop, Inc · Cooperative
- Southeast Electric Coop, Inc · Cooperative
- Sun River Electric Coop, Inc · Cooperative
- Tongue River Electric Coop Inc · Cooperative
- Vigilante Electric Coop, Inc · Cooperative
- WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration · Federal
A bill at the July 2026 state average
| Monthly use | At 14.99¢/kWh |
|---|---|
| 500 kWh | $74.95 |
| 750 kWh | $112.43 |
| 1,000 kWh | $149.90 |
| 1,500 kWh | $224.85 |
| 2,000 kWh | $299.80 |
This uses the statewide average, not your utility's tariff. Fixed charges make low-use bills diverge. Needs verification against the bill.
Regulator and assistance
Investor-owned base rates are usually set in a public docket. Municipal and cooperative rates may be set by a city or a co-op board instead. Which body sets this utility's rates needs verification.
Montana Public Service Commission
LIHEAP contacts for Montana are on the federal list. A utility's own discount needs verification.
Questions
Why are Montana electric bills so high?
In July 2026 the average residential price in Montana was 14.99¢ per kWh, compared with 14.27¢ in July 2025 (+5.0%). The 2025 average monthly bill was $110.80 for 853 kWh. A single household can sit far from those averages because of usage, a rider, or a different utility.
Who regulates electric rates in Montana?
Montana Public Service Commission publishes orders and pending dockets. Investor-owned base rates are usually set in a public docket. Municipal and cooperative rates may be set by a city or a co-op board instead. Which body sets this utility's rates needs verification.
What help is available in Montana?
LIHEAP is the federal bill-assistance program. State contacts are listed by HHS. Utility discounts need verification.