Is electricity expensive in Washington?

Washington's residential average of 14.4¢/kWh is 24% below the U.S. average of 18.8¢/kWh, ranking 11 of 51 jurisdictions (1 = cheapest).

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

Among currently certified models, the Friedrich PROH40 T2 FD400-15 costs the least at about $92 a year at Washington rates (643 kWh/yr).

How does Washington 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). Washington sits at $155.

Data through April 2026

Cost to run · Washington · 14.4¢/kWh residential average

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

$155/yr · median certified model

Residential electricity in Washington runs 14.4¢/kWh — 24% under the U.S. average — putting the median certified electric water heater at about $155 a year, versus $204 nationally.

In the national ranking, Washington lands at 11 of 51 for what an electric water heater costs to run. At local rates, certified models span $92 (Friedrich PROH40 T2 FD400-15) to $250 (Smart Solar SSG2-ES 120) per year — $158 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.

Washington

$155

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 Washington rates

Top 10 by certified kWh, priced at 14.4¢/kWh
#	Model	kWh/yr	$/yr in WA
1	Friedrich PROH40 T2 FD400-15	643	$92
2	Rheem PROPH40 T2 RH375-15	643	$92
3	Rheem PROPH40 T2 RH400-15	643	$92
4	Rheem XE40T10H22U0	643	$92
5	Rheem XE40T10H22U1	643	$92
6	Richmond 10E40-HP515	643	$92
7	Richmond 10E40-HP5U15	643	$92
8	Ruud PROUH40 T2 RU375-15	643	$92
9	Ruud PROUH40 T2 RU400-15	643	$92
10	Eco-Logical OMNI-50HP1-1A	681	$98

Price any model at Washington rates

Your rate, your numbers

Annual use (kWh)

Electricity rate

Per day: 43¢
Per month: $12.95
Per year: $155

1,082 kWh/yr × 14.4¢/kWh = $155/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 Washington?: About $155 a year for the median ENERGY STAR certified electric water heater, at Washington's average residential rate of 14.4¢/kWh — that's $12.95 a month.
Is electricity expensive in Washington?: Washington's residential average of 14.4¢/kWh is 24% below the U.S. average of 18.8¢/kWh, ranking 11 of 51 jurisdictions (1 = cheapest).
What's the cheapest electric water heater to run in Washington?: Among currently certified models, the Friedrich PROH40 T2 FD400-15 costs the least at about $92 a year at Washington rates (643 kWh/yr).
How does Washington 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). Washington sits at $155.

Keep digging

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