What Is The Average Electric Bill in Seattle [2025 Updated]

Washington State also reflects the change in the consumption and electric rates. The state's average residential electricity rate is 13.67 ¢/kWh in May 2025, slightly lower than Seattle's. Assuming the average monthly consumption in Washington is also 1,110 kWh, the monthly electric bill would be approximately $151.73, which is lower than Seattle's average.

Similarly, Seattle's average electric rate differs from other cities and states in the USA. For instance, New York has the highest electric rate at 26.67 ¢/kWh, significantly higher than Seattle's rate and the entire state of Washington. Maryland also has a higher rate of 19.04 ¢/kWh, and Texas also stands at 15.49 ¢/kWh, comparatively higher than Seattle. In contrast, Oklahoma has a much lower rate of 12.94 ¢/kWh, and Florida's rate is slightly higher than Seattle's at 14.98 ¢/kWh.

Check out the detailed comparison table for a better understanding:

Source: EIA May 2025 Data

What Are The Electric Rates in Seattle?

The electric rate in Seattle is 13.90 cents per kWh, as of December 2024. The electric rate is the amount a consumer is charged by the electricity or utility provider for each unit of electricity they use in their residential, commercial, or industrial property. The electricity rate varies by demographic, type of energy used, time of year, and the utility company's pricing structure. In Seattle, City Lights is more affordable than other utility companies. Residents have to pay around $0.3077 as a basic service charge per day, with energy per kWh being around $0.1375.

For instance, when we compare the electricity rates from Seattle with the nationwide on the grounds of end users, we also find a significant change in the rates. For instance, Washington's electricity rates for residential are 13.67 ¢/kWh, 11.59 ¢/kWh for commercial, and 6.61 ¢/kWh for industrial users. When these rates are compared with the EIA's national average, we find that the May 2025 rates are 17.47 ¢/kWh for residential, 12.96 ¢/kWh for commercial, and 8.30 ¢/kWh for industrial.

Choose Electric Rate in Seattle

In Seattle, the primary electricity provider is Seattle City Light. Residents cannot choose their electricity provider as Seattle City Light is the sole provider of electricity for the city. The utility company charges $0.3077 as a basic service charge per day, with the energy per kWh being around $0.1375.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Seattle?

The cost to live in Seattle varies, but a single person living in a one-bedroom apartment will cost roughly $1,500 - $2,500 monthly, excluding rent. However, if you are a family of four, then the estimated cost of living will cross the $5,500 - $6,000 mark every month, excluding rent. 

Seattle is one of the country's fastest-growing large cities, and with large infrastructures and job opportunities, several people from different states plan to move to this seaport city in Washington. The monthly cost of living in Seattle and any other city in Washington or other states depends on different utilities, for instance:

Electricity Charges in Seattle

The electric charges in Seattle depend on the ongoing electricity rate and monthly energy consumption. Considering the average monthly consumption of 1,110 kWh and the electric rate of 13.9 ¢/kWh in December 2024, the monthly average electricity bill in Seattle was around $154.29.

Natural Gas

Most households use natural gas for heating and cooking. According to the BLS, the average price for utility (piped) gas in Seattle was $1.425 per therm in December 2024, which roughly comes to around $100 - $150 monthly, depending on usage behavior.

Water & Sewer Charges in Seattle

The base service charge for a ¾” and less water pipe is around $20.45 inside Seattle. Residents can expect to pay around $5.79 for off-peak water usage and $5.95 for peak usage up to 10 CCF in 60 days. The typical monthly residential sewer bill is around $82.60 with a rate of $19.21 per CCF.

There are different water and sewer cleaning companies in Seattle. On average, a family of four will see $70 - $80 per month added to their expenses due to water consumption. Similarly, the sewer cleaning charges also come around $90 - $100 per month.

Cable TV & Internet Charges

Seattle has several cable TV and Internet service providers. Their monthly costs range from $80 to $100, depending on the speed and download limits.

As you can see from the above table, electricity, and natural gas usage are amongst the top utilities that add maximum to your monthly expenses. In order to lower the utilities cost, there are a few tips that you can follow, for instance:

Controlled Usage: Try to control your usage during the on-peak hours without jeopardizing your comfort. You can move laundry and dishwashing to after 8 PM when the usual off-peak hours start.

Upgrade Appliance: If you are still using old appliances that require maintenance, then try upgrading them to the ones that do not consume extra energy.

Unplug Appliances: Appliances like soundbars, PlayStation 4 or 5, coffee makers, etc., tend to consume electricity even when they are not operational. Always unplug such devices from the power strip or get a smart power strip to ensure that they do not take power during standby modes.

Go Solar: You can always use solar generators, like Jackery Solar Generator, to reduce your overall dependency on the power supply. This will lead to lower electricity bills every month.

Why Is My Electric Bill So High in Seattle?

Many Seattle residents wonder why their electric bills are so high. As per reports, the electric rate from January to April has increased 1.4% in only four months. There are several factors that contribute to these increased rates. Some of them are:

Weather Condition

Seattle's weather conditions also have an impact on the electricity rates. The summers are relatively dry, leading to excessive use of air conditioners or portable coolers. At the same time, colder months demand room heaters, which can further drive up electricity consumption.

Household Appliances

Several household appliances can also influence electricity bills. For instance, using a 1500-watt space heater for 8 hours per day can add approximately $50 to your monthly bill in Seattle. Similarly, using 100-watt incandescent bulbs instead of LED bulbs for 10 hours daily can add $4 to your monthly bills.

Energy Consumption Pattern

Both energy consumption patterns and appliance efficiency play important factors in monthly consumption. If you are still using older, less efficient appliances, they will tend to consume more electricity.

How To Lower My Electric Bill in Seattle?

If you aim to lower your average electric bill in Seattle, then there are several strategic changes that you will need to make. It starts by investing in energy-efficient appliances and then moving to on-grid alternatives. Here are some practical tips to help you reduce your monthly electricity costs:

Use Energy-Efficient Appliances

The first step that you can do is to replace all of your older appliances with energy-efficient models. You can go to marketplaces or local retail stores and buy the appliances that come with the ENERGY STAR label, which aims to consume less electricity.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Nowadays, you can buy smart thermostats that help you manage your heating and cooling more efficiently by automatically adjusting the temperature when you are asleep or away from home.

Upgrade Your Lighting

Switch to LED bulbs, which use up to 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer.

Unplug Idle Electronics

Many electronics consume power even when turned off. Unplugging devices like chargers, coffee makers, and entertainment systems when not in use can help cut down on phantom energy usage.

Choose Solar Energy

Solar energy has several benefits for powering and charging household appliances. It reduces the average monthly electric bill in Seattle and is also environmentally friendly.

According to the latest data, the cost of installing solar panels comes to around $20,000 per household. If you invest this lump sum amount in solar panel installation and consider a 2.4% annual increase in electricity prices, then in the first year, you can save $1800. However, in the next five years, your savings will turn out to be $9400, and you will recover the entire $20,000 in the next ten years. In 20 years, you will save a whopping $45,300.

That said, if you cannot go ahead with this large amount or are looking for something portable that you can carry around if you move to a different city or state, then you can check out Jackery Solar Generators. These are economical compared to full-fledged solar panel installations and can also charge most heavy-duty appliances.

Jackery Solar Generators For Lowering Your Electric Bills

Jackery is an international manufacturer of solar generators, solar panels, and portable power stations. Jackery Solar Generators come with high-quality Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels. These panels have a honeycomb-like structure that harnesses maximum sunlight with their monocrystalline silicon solar cells. The harnessed energy is later converted into AC electricity with the help of the Jackery Portable Power Station's pure sine wave inverter. The converted energy can charge multiple appliances at the same time.

Jackery Solar Generators are easy-to-use home battery backups that can power core household appliances, like air conditioners, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, laptops, LED lights, and more. With the capacity to power multiple appliances simultaneously, you can effectively reduce your monthly average electric rate in Seattle.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is ideal for off-grid living and powering multiple appliances during extended blackouts. This solar generator provides multiple output ports, which help power different midsize to high-wattage appliances, like air conditioners, portable induction, and more. With the built-in Emergency Power Supply system, your household appliances will start powering within 20 ms of a power outage—it means you won't even find out when this unit starts powering during blackouts!

Appliances Working Hours

• Microwave (1000W): 1.6H
• Refrigerator (300W): 5.3H
• Coffee Maker (800W): 2.0H
• Room Heater (1000W): 1.6H
• Water Heater (1500W): 1.1H

Who Should Buy This 

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is ideal for families who want a solar backup power to run essential household appliances with an ability to expand later. 

Seattle Average Electric Bill FAQs

What size of solar generator do I need for my house in Seattle?

The size of the solar generator that you will need in your house in Seattle depends on the size of the apartment, the number of appliances, and the duration for which you intend to use the solar generator.

For instance, if you intend to power an air conditioner (1000W) and one LED light (10W) with Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus, then the working hour can be calculated using the Running Time Calculator available on the product page.

Navigate to the product page and scroll to find the calculator. Enter the total wattage of the appliances you are powering simultaneously to get an estimated runtime. In this example, the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus will run the appliances (1010W) for 4.0 hours.

What is the average electric bill for 800 sq. ft. Apartment in Seattle?

The average electric bill for an 800-square-foot residential apartment in Seattle is around $200 - $300 per month, but depending on the appliances and usage behavior, it can even exceed $300 monthly.

How much does a utility electric bill usually cost in Seattle for a 1 bedroom apartment?

The monthly utility electric bill for a one-bedroom apartment in Seattle comes around $140 - $150. The monthly charges of this utility depend on the monthly consumption and the ongoing electric rates.

What is the average electric bill in WA?

Washington's residential electricity rate is 13.67 ¢/kWh in May 2025, and with an average monthly consumption of around 1,100 kWh, the average electric bill in WA is $151.73 per month.

How much is the average utility bill in Seattle?

The average utility bill in Seattle is $550 - $700 per month. The charges depend on power consumption, gas usage, and service providers.

Lower Average Electric Bill in Seattle With Solar

With the rise in power consumption and change in usage behavior, it is estimated that by 2030, the average electric bill in Seattle will be close to 15.55 ¢/kWh. If you are also worried about the rise in electricity charges and finding ways to lower your monthly bill, then you can check out Jackery Solar Generators. The portable and compact nature of these generators makes them ideal for household emergencies and outdoor adventures. With Jackery Solar Generator, you can effectively power an air conditioner, refrigerator, vacuum cleaner, CPAP machine, and more.