Electricity rates in Delaware
Updated 2026-10-21 with EIA data through July 2026
Homes in Delaware paid an average of 17.79¢ per kWh over the last 12 months, up from 13.42¢ in 2016. Businesses paid 13.42¢ and industry 10.85¢. Electricity is deregulated here, so you can shop for a supplier.
What things cost to run in Delaware
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Delaware electricity price trend
Annual average residential price, 2010–2025. Since 2016, prices have risen +28%.
Choosing a provider in Delaware
Delmarva Power customers can choose a competitive supplier.
Competitive suppliers in Delaware charged homes an average of 16.33¢/kWh for supply in 2025, before the utility's delivery charges (delivery-only customers paid about 7.90¢/kWh on average). Compare a supplier's offer with your utility's default "price to compare" on your bill.
Power outages in Delaware right now
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Electric utilities in Delaware
11 utilities serve homes in Delaware. Rates are average residential revenue per kWh, so they include fixed charges. Click a utility for rate plans, outage history and its service map.
Click or tap a county to see the electric companies that serve it.
| Utility | Type | Homes served | Rate | Avg bill | Outage min/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delmarva Power | Investor-owned | 279K | 18.79¢ | $167 | 104 |
| Delaware Electric Cooperative | Electric cooperative | 109K | 14.15¢ | $149 | 112 |
| City of Dover | Municipal | 22K | 17.18¢ | $140 | — |
| City of Newark | Municipal | 12K | 20.61¢ | $141 | 35 |
| Town of Middletown | Municipal | 9,193 | 17.29¢ | $158 | — |
| City of Milford | Municipal | 7,504 | 16.48¢ | $153 | 24 |
| Town of Smyrna | Municipal | 6,546 | 16.13¢ | $231 | — |
| City of Seaford | Municipal | 4,474 | 15.97¢ | $335 | 52 |
| City of Lewes | Municipal | 4,087 | 15.72¢ | $278 | — |
| New Castle Municipal Serv Comm | Municipal | 2,952 | 15.33¢ | $318 | 17 |
| Town of Clayton | Municipal | 1,826 | 17.56¢ | $192 | — |
Retail electricity providers in Delaware
Average revenue per kWh from residential customers in 2025 (EIA-861), adjusted to current state trend.
Delaware vs. neighboring states
Energy costs at a glance
| Natural gas (homes) | $2.27/therm |
| Gasoline (regular) | $4.31/gal |
| Driving cost: EV vs. gas | 5.5¢ vs. 15¢/mi |
| Solar output (1 kW, Wilmington) | 1,364 kWh/yr |
| Avg. outage time (2025) | 102 min/yr |
| Commercial rate | 13.42¢ |
| Industrial rate | 10.85¢ |
What appliances cost to run in Delaware
| Appliance | Per month | Per year | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space heater | $29.34 | $147 | −$2 |
| Central air conditioner | $102 | $512 | −$6 |
| Refrigerator | $7.41 | $89 | −$1 |
| Electric car | $66.12 | $793 | −$9 |
| Electric clothes dryer | $12.20 | $146 | −$2 |
| Electric water heater | $66.71 | $801 | −$9 |
| Hot tub | $44.47 | $534 | −$6 |
| TV | $2.22 | $27 | −$0 |
| Pool pump (single-speed) | $73.64 | $368 | −$4 |
| Heat pump | $182 | $910 | −$10 |
Electricity rates by city in Delaware
- Wilmington
- Dover
- Newark
- Middletown
- Bear
- Brookside
- Glasgow
- Hockessin
- Smyrna
- Pike Creek Valley
- Milford
- Claymont
- North Star
- Pike Creek
- Wilmington Manor
- Seaford
- Georgetown
- Elsmere
- Edgemoor
- New Castle
- Millsboro
- Laurel
- Nassau
- Harrington
- Camden
- Highland Acres
- Dover Base Housing
- Rising Sun-Lebanon
- Clayton
- Lewes
- Milton
- Riverview
- Selbyville
- Greenville
- Woodside East
- Bridgeville
- Townsend
- Ocean View
- Long Neck
- Kent Acres
- Delaware City
- Delmar
- Rodney Village
- Wyoming
- Rehoboth Beach
- Cheswold
- Felton
- Blades
- Bellefonte
- Bethany Beach
- Greenwood
- Newport
Frequently asked questions
What is the average electricity rate in Delaware?
The average residential rate in Delaware was 17.79¢ per kWh over the 12 months ending July 2026. That is 1% below the U.S. average of 17.99¢. In July 2026 alone it was 18.48¢, +11.5% from a year earlier.
What is the average electric bill in Delaware?
About $164 a month. The average Delaware home uses 920 kWh a month (EIA 2025), and we priced that at the current average rate. Bills vary with your utility, home size, heating type and season.
Is electricity expensive in Delaware?
Delaware ranks 33rd cheapest of 51 (50 states plus DC) for residential electricity. That is near the middle of the pack.
Can I choose my electricity provider in Delaware?
Yes. Delmarva Power customers can choose a competitive supplier. The state's official comparison site is depsc.delaware.gov.
Which electric company is cheapest in Delaware?
Among utilities with at least 1,000 residential customers, Delaware Electric Cooperative has the lowest average rate at 14.15¢/kWh. The highest is City of Newark at 20.61¢. Most homes can't switch utilities, since your address determines which one serves you.
How reliable is the power grid in Delaware?
In 2025, the average Delaware customer was without power for 102 min (SAIDI, including major storms) across about 0.9 outages. Excluding major event days it was 73 min. Figures are customer-weighted across utilities that report to EIA.
Sources: EIA-861M monthly sales and revenue (through July 2026), EIA-861 2025 utility data, EIA fuel prices, NREL PVWatts. Methodology.