New Yorkers are paying significantly more for electricity than most of the country, with new data showing costs continue to rise faster than the national average.
A report released this month found the average residential electricity price in New York reached 28.3 cents per kilowatt-hour in January 2026, ranking sixth-highest in the nation and about 62% above the U.S. average.
The increase marks a 3.6% jump from December and a 12% rise compared to a year ago, outpacing national trends and exceeding price growth in most neighboring states. Analysts say the widening gap represents a reversal of earlier trends, when New York’s prices had been gradually aligning more closely with the rest of the country.
Since 2019, electricity costs in New York have surged by roughly 64%, a rate higher than both regional peers and the national average. The report notes that while the price gap between New York and the U.S. narrowed over the past two decades, it has expanded again in recent years, reaching its largest margin since 2001.
Natural gas prices, while also higher than average, have been more stable. The report shows residential natural gas costs in New York averaged $16.01 per thousand cubic feet in January, about 15% above the national average and up 10.8% from the previous year.
Despite those increases, natural gas price growth in New York has been slower than the national trend over the longer term, rising about 30% since 2019 compared to nearly 50% nationwide.
The findings highlight ongoing cost pressures for households across the state, as energy prices remain a key factor in overall affordability and economic conditions.
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