Is electricity expensive in Iowa?

Iowa's residential average of 13.9¢/kWh is 26% below the U.S. average of 18.8¢/kWh, ranking 6 of 51 jurisdictions (1 = cheapest).

What's the cheapest electric water heater to run in Iowa?

Among currently certified models, the Friedrich PROH40 T2 FD400-15 costs the least at about $89 a year at Iowa rates (643 kWh/yr).

How does Iowa compare with other states?

The same median electric water heater costs $134 a year in North Dakota (the cheapest state) and $504 in Hawaii (the priciest). Iowa sits at $150.

Data through April 2026

Cost to run · Iowa · 13.9¢/kWh residential average

How much does it cost to run an electric water heater in Iowa?

$150/yr · median certified model

Iowa's 13.9¢/kWh rate undercuts the national average by 26%, so the typical certified electric water heater costs roughly $150 a year here instead of $204.

Iowa ranks 6 of 51 jurisdictions for electric water heater running costs — solidly mid-table. At local rates, certified models span $89 (Friedrich PROH40 T2 FD400-15) to $241 (Smart Solar SSG2-ES 120) per year — $152 of annual headroom that depends entirely on which unit you buy. For reference, the national extremes are North Dakota (12.3¢/kWh) and Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh); the same median electric water heater would cost $134 and $504 a year there.

Iowa

$150

US average

$204

North Dakota

$134

Hawaii

$504

Median certified electric water heater (1,082 kWh/yr) per year, at each rate

The cheapest water heaters (electric) to run at Iowa rates

Top 10 by certified kWh, priced at 13.9¢/kWh
#	Model	kWh/yr	$/yr in IA
1	Friedrich PROH40 T2 FD400-15	643	$89
2	Rheem PROPH40 T2 RH375-15	643	$89
3	Rheem PROPH40 T2 RH400-15	643	$89
4	Rheem XE40T10H22U0	643	$89
5	Rheem XE40T10H22U1	643	$89
6	Richmond 10E40-HP515	643	$89
7	Richmond 10E40-HP5U15	643	$89
8	Ruud PROUH40 T2 RU375-15	643	$89
9	Ruud PROUH40 T2 RU400-15	643	$89
10	Eco-Logical OMNI-50HP1-1A	681	$94

Price any model at Iowa rates

Your rate, your numbers

Annual use (kWh)

Electricity rate

Per day: 41¢
Per month: $12.50
Per year: $150

1,082 kWh/yr × 13.9¢/kWh = $150/yr

Prefilled with the median certified electric water heater (1,082 kWh/yr). Every model page on this site carries its exact certified figure.

Questions, answered with the data

How much does it cost to run an electric water heater in Iowa?: About $150 a year for the median ENERGY STAR certified electric water heater, at Iowa's average residential rate of 13.9¢/kWh — that's $12.50 a month.
Is electricity expensive in Iowa?: Iowa's residential average of 13.9¢/kWh is 26% below the U.S. average of 18.8¢/kWh, ranking 6 of 51 jurisdictions (1 = cheapest).
What's the cheapest electric water heater to run in Iowa?: Among currently certified models, the Friedrich PROH40 T2 FD400-15 costs the least at about $89 a year at Iowa rates (643 kWh/yr).
How does Iowa compare with other states?: The same median electric water heater costs $134 a year in North Dakota (the cheapest state) and $504 in Hawaii (the priciest). Iowa sits at $150.

Keep digging

Rate source: US EIA, average residential price of electricity, see methodology.