Residential Rate Report

Tennessee Residential Electricity Rates

Tennessee operates under a unique public power structure anchored by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a federally owned corporation. Local municipal systems and electric cooperatives distribute TVA power to residential customers across the state.

Residential Electricity Rate
14.94 ¢/kWh
Verified database rate for April 2026
U.S. National Comparison
20.7% below the U.S. national average
National Average: 18.83 ¢/kWh
Market Framework
Regulated Utility Market
Traditional regulated utility service territories.

Estimated Monthly Household Energy Charges

Estimated monthly energy charges for standard home electricity usage baselines in Tennessee calculated at 14.94 ¢/kWh:

Tennessee residential monthly electricity cost estimates by consumption level
Monthly Usage (kWh)Household Profile BaselineEstimated Energy Charge ($/mo)
500 kWh500 kWh / month (Apartment / Small Home)$74.70 / mo
800 kWh800 kWh / month (Medium Home / Efficient Usage)$119.52 / mo
1,000 kWh1,000 kWh / month (Standard U.S. Household Baseline)$149.40 / mo
1,500 kWh1,500 kWh / month (Large Home / All-Electric / High AC)$224.10 / mo

* Estimated energy charge only. Excludes utility fixed monthly customer fees, local distribution charges, time-of-use peak demand rates, fuel surcharges, and state taxes.

24-Month Historical Rate Trend (Tennessee)

Official U.S. EIA residential electricity price history for Tennessee over recent reporting periods:

Tennessee monthly residential electricity rate history (cents per kWh)
Reporting MonthAverage Rate (¢/kWh)Month-over-Month Change
April 202614.94 ¢/kWh -0.14 ¢
March 202615.08 ¢/kWh +2.26 ¢
February 202612.82 ¢/kWh -0.28 ¢
January 202613.10 ¢/kWh +0.23 ¢
December 202512.87 ¢/kWh -0.60 ¢
November 202513.47 ¢/kWh +0.41 ¢
October 202513.06 ¢/kWh -0.23 ¢
September 202513.29 ¢/kWh +0.27 ¢
August 202513.02 ¢/kWh -0.19 ¢
July 202513.21 ¢/kWh -0.61 ¢
June 202513.82 ¢/kWh +0.09 ¢
May 202513.73 ¢/kWh -0.18 ¢
April 202513.91 ¢/kWh +0.54 ¢
March 202513.37 ¢/kWh +0.83 ¢
February 202512.54 ¢/kWh -0.04 ¢
January 202512.58 ¢/kWh -0.35 ¢
December 202412.93 ¢/kWh -0.63 ¢
November 202413.56 ¢/kWh +0.82 ¢
October 202412.74 ¢/kWh +0.32 ¢
September 202412.42 ¢/kWh +0.17 ¢
August 202412.25 ¢/kWh +0.09 ¢
July 202412.16 ¢/kWh -0.21 ¢
June 202412.37 ¢/kWh +0.10 ¢
May 202412.27 ¢/kWh -0.31 ¢

Key Electricity Cost Drivers in Tennessee

Primary market structure, generation mix, and environmental factors shaping electricity costs across Tennessee:

1. Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Federal Power

TVA generates wholesale power from a balanced portfolio of nuclear plants, hydroelectric dams, natural gas, and solar, supplying local distributors.

2. Low Wholesale Base Rates

Public power regulation helps keep Tennessee residential electricity rates below national averages, supporting regional industrial and residential growth.

3. High Winter Heat Pump & Space Heating Demand

Widespread adoption of electric resistance and heat pump space heating creates strong winter morning usage peaks during cold snaps.

Why Your Individual Electric Bill May Differ

Statewide average rates compiled by the U.S. EIA reflect overall residential revenue divided by total sales. Your actual monthly electricity bill in Tennessee will vary based on:

  • Fixed Monthly Customer Charges: Basic meter account service fees assessed regardless of kWh consumption.
  • Delivery & Distribution Tariffs: Regulated transmission charges set by state utility commissions.
  • Time-of-Use (TOU) Pricing: Higher peak-period demand rates during hot afternoon or winter evening hours.
  • Local Taxes & Clean Energy Riders: Municipal taxes and clean energy fund surcharges.

Calculate Your Exact Tennessee Home Electricity Bill

Statewide average rates provide a baseline, but your actual electric bill depends on your utility tariff structure, seasonal AC usage, and household appliances. Use Energy Bill Lab tools to analyze your bill or calculate appliance operating costs.

Official Data Sources & Editorial Citations