The Holiday Power Drain: Which States Pay the Most To Light Up the Holidays

As twinkling lights and inflatable snowmen start popping up on front lawns, many Americans are also watching their electric bills rise. Holiday decorations bring joy, but they can also come with a hefty price tag, especially in states with high electricity rates. To find out where the holidays are brightest (and most expensive), we analyzed residential electricity usage and rates for last December from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. We also surveyed 1,000 Americans about their holiday decorating habits.

Key Takeaways

• Connecticut ($228.55) and Hawaii ($213.32) have the highest December electric bills.

• 17% of Americans plan to scale back their holiday decorations this year due to high energy costs.

• 15% have skipped holiday decorating altogether due to energy costs.

• 27% factor electricity costs into their holiday budget.

Which States Pay the Most To Light Up the Holidays?

Electricity costs are very different from state to state, which can affect how much you pay to light up your home for the holidays.

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Energy efficiency and local electricity rates both play a significant role in monthly electric bills, especially during colder weather and the holiday season, when demand increases. In December, average household electricity bills were highest in Connecticut ($228.55) and Hawaii ($213.32), while New Mexico ($87.64) and Utah ($89.94) had the lowest.

North Dakota used the most electricity per household in December, at 1,428.7 kWh. Even with this high usage, the average bill was $146.10, which is lower than in many other states. This shows how much local rates matter.

Top 10 States With the Highest December Electricity Bills

1. Connecticut ($228.55)
2. Hawaii ($213.32)
3. Maryland ($205.22)
4. West Virginia ($200.01)
5. Virginia ($180.36)
6. Massachusetts ($180.00)
7. Delaware ($173.70)
8. Alabama ($173.42)
9. Pennsylvania ($167.81)
10. New Hampshire ($167.67)

Top 10 States With the Highest December Electricity Usage (kWh)

1. North Dakota (1,428.7)
2. West Virginia (1,381.0)
3. Virginia (1,255.3)
4. Washington (1,232.1)
5. South Dakota (1,190.1)
6. Tennessee (1,182.7)
7. Idaho (1,173.3)
8. Alabama (1,158.6)
9. Kentucky (1,145.7)
10. North Carolina (1,139.0)

West Virginia, Virginia, and Alabama ranked in the top 10 for both electricity use and total bills, showing how heavier energy use can drive up costs during the holidays.

States With the Biggest Power Swings During the Holidays

Some states saw big changes in power use and costs from November to December.

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Delaware saw the most significant increase in electricity use, with households using nearly 400 more kilowatt-hours in December, a 61.4% jump from November. That surge translated directly to higher bills. Delaware and Maryland residents faced the steepest price hikes, with bills increasing by 48.7% and 48.2%, respectively.

Top 10 States With the Largest Increases in Electricity Use (November to December)

1. Delaware (61.4%)
2. West Virginia (56.5%)
3. Nebraska (51.2%)
4. Virginia (50.6%)
5. Maryland (50.4%)
6. Tennessee (47.7%)
7. Indiana (46.7%)
8. South Carolina (46.5%)
9. Kentucky (45.3%)
10. Vermont (44.7%)

Top 10 States With the Biggest Spikes in Monthly Electricity Bills (November to December)

1. Delaware (48.7%)
2. Maryland (48.2%)
3. Virginia (46.9%)
4. West Virginia (43.1%)
5. Tennessee (40.7%)
6. Kentucky (38.3%)
7. Pennsylvania (37.2%)
8. Ohio (36.6%)
9. Connecticut (35.6%)
10. Nebraska (33.8%)

Interestingly, not every state saw an uptick. Rhode Island bucked the trend with a 20.4% drop in average household bills in December. Whether due to mild weather, conservation efforts, or fewer decorations, that decrease provided a welcome relief during the pricey holiday season.

How High Costs Are Changing Holiday Traditions

Rising energy prices are changing the way many Americans approach holiday decorating.

More than 1 in 10 people (14%) said they leave their holiday lights on overnight every night, a habit that can quickly drive up electricity use. But as electric bills climb, many households are scaling back their displays. Seventeen percent of respondents said they plan to reduce the number of decorations this year due to higher energy costs, and 15% have skipped decorating in the past out of concern for their power bill.

Energy costs are now a bigger part of holiday planning than ever before. Over a quarter of Americans (27%) already include electricity costs in their holiday budget, with another 16% planning to do so this year. When deciding how much to decorate, 42% said they consider the cost of running lights. Nearly half of Americans (44%) would decorate more if electricity were cheaper.

Bright Lights, Big Bills: A Holiday Balancing Act

The holidays may shine brighter in some states than others, but the cost of keeping those lights on is changing how people celebrate. From high electric bills to heavy energy use, both rates and habits shape what households spend during the festive season. As more Americans scale back or plan ahead for energy costs, simple steps like using LED lights, setting timers, and unplugging decorations when not in use can help keep holiday displays cheerful without driving up the power bill.

Methodology

Electricity usage and bill estimates were derived from U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) monthly data for December and November 2024, available through the EIA Open Data portal (EIA Retail Sales, Revenue, Price, and Customers dataset). The dataset includes four key variables for each state’s residential sector:

• Sales (million kWh): total residential electricity sold in the month
• Revenue (million $): total customer payments in the month
• Customers: number of active residential electricity accounts
• Price (¢/kWh): average retail rate charged

From these, the following derived metrics were calculated:

1. Usage (kWh) = sales (million kWh) × 1,000,000
2. Total $ spent = revenue (million $) × 1,000,000
3. Average usage per customer (kWh) = Usage ÷ customers
4. Estimated average monthly bill ($) = Total $ spent ÷ customers

Figures reflect monthly averages for December and November 2024 and should be interpreted as indicative estimates. Actual customer bills may vary based on individual usage patterns, rate plans, and utility provider policies. Variations may occur due to differences in rate structures, seasonal adjustments, or reporting methods across utilities. Additionally, survey responses were collected from 1,000 Americans to provide context about holiday decorating habits and energy concerns.

About Payless Power

Payless Power offers affordable, no-deposit electricity plans to Texas residents, helping families stay powered without the hassle of credit checks or long-term contracts. Whether you’re lighting up your home for the holidays or managing everyday energy costs, Payless Power is here to provide simple, prepaid electricity that fits your budget. Learn more about our prepaid electricity plans.

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