Solar Answers → Bills & Net Metering
What is the average electric bill in Illinois?
The average Illinois home pays about $133 a month with ComEd and about $119 with Ameren at October 2026 prices, based on the state average of 693 kWh. A typical single-family house uses more, about 933 kWh, and pays about $173 with ComEd or $150 with Ameren. These are published rates times real usage, before city taxes. Prices reset each June and October, and this page updates when they do.
Most sites give one statewide number. But your bill depends on your utility, the season and how much power you use. Below, both utilities’ bills are built line by line from their published prices, with a calculator for your own.
Independent public sources we cite and link — The Day Company is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them. We are an Illinois solar and battery information resource and a lead-generation business.
Average Illinois electric bill: the key numbers
Swipe the table sideways to see every column →
| Key number | Figure | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Average home, ComEd (693 kWh) | $133.11 a month | Our math at October 2026 prices |
| Average home, Ameren (693 kWh) | $119.42 a month | Our math at October–May prices |
| Typical house, ComEd (933 kWh) | $172.62 a month | Our math at October 2026 prices |
| Typical house, Ameren (933 kWh) | $150.00 a month | Our math at October–May prices |
| ComEd supply price now | 10.103¢ per kWh (October 2026–May 2027) | Citizens Utility Board, Plug In Illinois |
| Ameren supply price now | 10.441¢ on the first 800 kWh, then 8.262¢ | Citizens Utility Board, Plug In Illinois |
| Delivery | ComEd 6.228¢ all year · Ameren 4.572¢ / 2.427¢ October–May, 7.811¢ in summer | Citizens Utility Board 2026 rate guide |
| Fixed charges | ComEd $19.07 · Ameren $14.51 a month | Citizens Utility Board 2026 rate guide |
| Last summer, average home | ComEd $135.17 · Ameren $148.00 | Our math at June–September 2026 prices |
| Average use | 693 kWh a month (all Illinois homes) · 933 kWh (single-family houses) | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
Build your own Illinois electric bill
Pick your utility and enter the kWh from your bill. You’ll see each part of the bill, just like the real one.
ComEd · October 2026 to May 2027 prices · 693 kWh · about 19.2¢ per kWh all-in
Supply is about 53% of this bill — the part solar and supplier offers can change. In October 2026, ComEd’s monthly adjustment is a credit of 1.551¢ per kWh, so an October bill at this usage would be about $10.75 lower.
Want to see what solar does to this bill? The free eligibility check takes about a minute, and your bill details come with you.
See what solar does to this bill →Nothing you type is sent or stored by this page — the math runs in your browser. If you continue to the eligibility check, your utility, usage and estimated bill come with you. Figures use published prices for a single-family, non-electric-heat home on standard metering and utility supply. City taxes, franchise fees and riders are left out because they vary. Every line is rounded to the cent and the total adds up the lines, so you can check it against your own bill.
The average ComEd bill, line by line
At October 2026 prices, the average ComEd home pays about $133 a month, and a typical house about $173. Supply, the power itself, is just over half.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column →
| Part of the bill | Price now | Average home (693 kWh) | Typical house (933 kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supply (the power itself) | 10.103¢ per kWh | $70.01 | $94.26 |
| Delivery (the wires) | 6.228¢ per kWh, all year | $43.16 | $58.11 |
| State tax | 0.126¢ per kWh | $0.87 | $1.18 |
| Fixed charges | $15.26 customer + $3.81 meter | $19.07 | $19.07 |
| Monthly total | $133.11 | $172.62 | |
| All-in cost per kWh | total ÷ kWh | 19.2¢ | 18.5¢ |
ComEd’s delivery charge is the same all year; only the supply price changes by season. Last summer’s supply price was 10.399¢, which made the average-home bill $135.17. ComEd also adds or credits a monthly adjustment on supply. In October 2026 it’s a credit of 1.551¢ per kWh, so October bills run a little lower than shown. Prices are for single-family homes without electric heat; city taxes vary and are left out. Rising prices explained: why is my ComEd bill so high? and what changed October 1.
The average Ameren bill, line by line
Ameren homes pay less than ComEd homes right now: about $119 for the average home and $150 for a typical house. That’s because Ameren’s delivery charge drops in winter.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column →
| Part of the bill | Price now | Average home (693 kWh) | Typical house (933 kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supply (the power itself) | 10.441¢ first 800 kWh, then 8.262¢ | $72.36 | $94.52 |
| Delivery (the wires) | 4.572¢ first 800 kWh, then 2.427¢ | $31.68 | $39.80 |
| State tax | 0.12567¢ per kWh | $0.87 | $1.17 |
| Fixed charges | $8.55 customer + $5.96 meter | $14.51 | $14.51 |
| Monthly total | $119.42 | $150.00 | |
| All-in cost per kWh | total ÷ kWh | 17.2¢ | 16.1¢ |
From October through May, Ameren charges a lower price on power above 800 kWh a month, for both supply and delivery. In summer, it charged 11.326¢ for supply and 7.811¢ for delivery on every kWh, which made the average-home bill $148.00. Ameren’s supply price is about 24% higher than last October’s. More: why is my Ameren bill so high?
Summer vs. now: why Ameren bills swing more
At the same use, a ComEd bill barely moves between seasons: about $2 lower now than last summer. An Ameren bill drops about $29.
ComEd changes only its supply price by season. Ameren changes supply and delivery: its delivery charge falls from 7.811¢ in summer to 4.572¢ on the first 800 kWh in winter.
- On ComEd, a big summer bill is mostly your usage, like air conditioning. The price barely changed.
- On Ameren, part of every summer jump is the price itself. On the same use, summer cost about $29 more a month.
Every price change since 2024 is in our Illinois electric rate tracker.
Why do online averages disagree?
We checked the pages ranking for this question on September 29, 2026. Their “average Illinois electric bill” runs from about $94 to $207 a month. Four things cause that.
- Different usage. The kWh behind those bills runs from about 681 to 1,148 a month. The highest comes from bills shared by people shopping for solar, who use more power than average.
- Different prices. The prices used run from 13.04¢ to 23.85¢ per kWh. Some use one expensive month, like May, instead of the whole year.
- Math that doesn’t add up. One page lists 20.47¢ per kWh and 693 kWh, then shows a bill of $109.99. Those multiply to $141.86.
- Supply mistaken for the whole bill. One page says 1,000 kWh in Chicago costs about $96. That’s the supply price alone. Delivery, taxes and fixed charges add roughly as much again.
There’s also no single Illinois rate. The state has five kinds of electric utility: ComEd, Ameren, MidAmerican, city-owned utilities and rural co-ops. That’s why this page builds the bill for each utility instead. We don’t name or endorse any single site.
What’s on an Illinois electric bill?
Four parts, in different amounts. Knowing which is which is the difference between reading your bill and guessing at it.
- Supply is the electricity itself. It’s the only part you can shop, and the part solar replaces. ComEd charges 10.103¢ per kWh now; Ameren 10.441¢ on the first 800 kWh.
- Delivery pays for the wires. You pay it on every kWh you use from the grid, no matter who supplies your power.
- Fixed charges come every month before you use any power: $19.07 with ComEd and $14.51 with Ameren.
- Taxes are small. The state tax is about a dollar a month; city taxes vary.
Is your electricity use normal?
The average Illinois home uses 693 kWh a month, but that includes apartments. A typical single-family house uses about 933 kWh.
- Heat matters most. Electric heat can push winter use far above average. A gas-heated home of the same size uses much less.
- Air conditioning drives summer. On ComEd, if your summer bill is double your spring bill, that’s your usage, not the price.
- An electric car adds up. Charging about 300 kWh a month adds roughly $49 to a ComEd bill at today’s prices.
- Check your own number. Your monthly kWh is on every bill, often next to a 12-month chart. Put it in the calculator above.
Figuring out what size solar system fits your use: what size solar system do I need?
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Check my eligibility →How can you lower your Illinois electric bill?
Only the usage and supply parts of your bill can change. Here’s what moves each one.
- Check any supplier offer against your utility’s price. A new supplier can only change the supply part, so compare every offer to the price to compare: 10.103¢ for ComEd right now.
- Cut the biggest uses first. Heating, cooling and water heating are usually the largest.
- Shift use to cheaper hours. ComEd’s hourly and time-of-day plans can pay off if you can move usage: ComEd Hourly Pricing, explained.
- Make your own power. Solar replaces supply for the power you use at home for 15 to 25 years. With a $0-down PPA, your total monthly cost can drop from the first month: lease or buy solar? Compare your cost.
What would your bill be with solar?
Smaller, but not zero. Fixed charges stay, and power you send back to the grid earns a lower credit than what you pay to use it.
For systems connected since January 1, 2025, credits for power you send back cover the supply part of the bill, not delivery. For a typical $173 ComEd bill, a 7 kW PPA at 12¢ per kWh brings the total monthly cost to about $156 in year one. How it works: your electric bill after solar, ComEd net metering and Ameren net metering. Is it worth it for your home? Run the Illinois payback calculator.
Average Illinois electric bill: FAQ
What is the average electric bill in Illinois?
About $133 a month with ComEd and $119 with Ameren for the average Illinois home at October 2026 prices, using 693 kWh. A typical single-family house, at about 933 kWh, pays about $173 with ComEd or $150 with Ameren. Last summer, the average home paid about $135 with ComEd and $148 with Ameren.
What is the average ComEd bill per month?
$133.11 for the average home (693 kWh) and $172.62 for a typical house (933 kWh), at October 2026 prices. That’s supply at 10.103¢ per kWh, delivery at 6.228¢, the 0.126¢ state tax and $19.07 in fixed charges. ComEd’s monthly adjustment makes October bills a little lower.
What is the average Ameren bill per month?
$119.42 for the average home and $150.00 for a typical house, from October through May. Supply is 10.441¢ on the first 800 kWh and 8.262¢ after that. Delivery is 4.572¢ and 2.427¢, and fixed charges are $14.51.
Is Ameren cheaper than ComEd?
Right now, yes. From October through May, the average Ameren home pays about $119 vs. $133 with ComEd, because Ameren’s delivery charge drops in winter. In summer it flips: last summer the average home paid about $148 with Ameren and $135 with ComEd.
Why is my electric bill higher than the average?
Usually because you use more than 693 kWh a month. Electric heat, central air, an electric car or a bigger house all push use up. Many averages online also leave out delivery and fixed charges, or use one expensive month. Compare your own kWh in the calculator above.
How much electricity does an Illinois home use?
The average Illinois home uses 693 kWh a month, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That includes apartments. A typical single-family house in the Midwest uses about 933 kWh a month, and homes with electric heat can use much more in winter.
How much of my bill is supply?
About 53% of an average ComEd bill and about 61% of an average Ameren bill right now. Supply is the only part a new supplier or solar can change. Delivery, taxes and fixed charges stay no matter who supplies your power.
Why did my electric bill change in October?
Both utilities reset their supply prices on October 1, 2026. ComEd’s fell about 3% to 10.103¢ per kWh. Ameren’s fell about 8% to 10.441¢ on the first 800 kWh, and its delivery charge dropped to its lower winter rates. ComEd’s monthly adjustment also gave a credit in October.
What is ComEd’s monthly supply adjustment?
It’s a monthly charge or credit that trues up ComEd’s supply cost. In October 2026 it’s a credit of 1.551¢ per kWh, so the effective supply price is 8.552¢ instead of 10.103¢. It changes every month, so a bill can move even when the season’s price doesn’t.
Will switching electricity suppliers lower my bill?
It can only change the supply part of your bill, and only if the offer beats your utility’s price to compare. That’s 10.103¢ for ComEd right now. Delivery, taxes and fixed charges stay the same no matter who supplies your power.
Why do I pay charges when I use little power?
Fixed charges. ComEd charges $19.07 a month and Ameren $14.51 a month before you use any power. They pay for your meter and account, which is why no amount of saving takes a bill to zero.
How much does an electric car add to my bill?
Charging about 300 kWh a month, or roughly 1,000 miles of driving, adds about $49 a month to a ComEd bill at October 2026 prices. The exact amount depends on your car and how far you drive.
How can I lower my electric bill in Illinois?
Check any supplier offer against your utility’s price to compare, cut your biggest uses like heating and cooling, and shift use to cheaper hours if your plan allows it. Making your own power with solar replaces the supply part for the power you use at home, and a $0-down PPA can lower your total monthly cost from the first month.
What would my electric bill be with solar?
Smaller, but not zero. For a typical $173 ComEd bill, a 7 kW PPA at 12¢ per kWh brings the total monthly cost to about $156 in year one. Fixed charges stay, and power you send back earns a credit for the supply part of the bill.
Where do your numbers come from?
Supply prices come from Plug In Illinois and the Citizens Utility Board’s September 28, 2026 price alerts. Delivery, tax and fixed charges come from the Citizens Utility Board’s 2026 rate guide and each utility’s tariff. Usage comes from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Every bill is a published price times a usage number, with each line shown.
Related answers
Batteries: battery incentives · the ComEd battery rebate · is a battery worth it? · free battery offers · ComEd’s virtual power plant · Ameren’s virtual power plant
Incentives: every Illinois incentive · Illinois Shines · the ComEd solar rebate · the federal tax credit · the state tax credit myth · solar and property taxes
Your home: is my house good for solar? · roof requirements · shade · hail · winter · HOA rules · selling a house with solar
Buying: vetting a quote · dealer fees · verifying an installer · Chicago permits · Aurora permits · solar in Peoria · the ComEd solar guide · Illinois solar facts
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Free eligibility check · ComEd & Ameren · No obligationThe Day Company is an Illinois solar and battery information resource and a lead-generation business. Information you submit may be used by our review team and one authorized partner to contact you about your request. Checking eligibility creates no obligation, and nothing on this site is a quote or a guarantee. How we’re funded and how we source figures: our editorial standards.
Sources
Sources · 9 documents behind this page
- Citizens Utility Board — ComEd’s new fall price (September 28, 2026) — 10.103¢ per kWh from October 1, and the October monthly adjustment
- Citizens Utility Board — Ameren’s new price (September 28, 2026) — 10.441¢ on the first 800 kWh and 8.262¢ after
- Plug In Illinois (Illinois Commerce Commission) — ComEd price to compare — ComEd supply prices by season
- Plug In Illinois (Illinois Commerce Commission) — Ameren price to compare — Ameren supply prices by season
- Citizens Utility Board — 2026 rate guide (January 19, 2026) — delivery charges, fixed charges and state tax for both utilities
- U.S. Energy Information Administration — average monthly residential use, Table 5A (PDF) — 693 kWh a month for Illinois homes, 2024
- U.S. Energy Information Administration — Residential Energy Consumption Survey, Table CE2.3 (PDF) — 11,196 kWh a year (about 933 a month) for Midwest single-family houses
- ComEd Rate DS and Ameren Illinois Rate DS-1 residential tariffs — customer, meter and delivery charges and the seasonal rules
- Pages ranking for “average electric bill Illinois,” surveyed September 29, 2026 — the $94 to $207 range and the errors described above; we don’t name or endorse any single site
How to cite this page: The Day Company, "What is the average electric bill in Illinois?", theday.company/answers/average-electric-bill-illinois, last reviewed September 29, 2026.
Update triggers: this page is revised when ComEd or Ameren change supply prices (next scheduled June 1, 2027), when delivery or fixed charges change, and when the U.S. Energy Information Administration publishes newer usage figures.
Changelog · last updated September 29, 2026 · 2 updates
- September 29, 2026 — Rebuilt for homeowners with October 2026 prices: ComEd 10.103¢ per kWh and Ameren 10.441¢ on the first 800 kWh and 8.262¢ after. Added the typical single-family house (933 kWh) next to the all-homes average, a simpler bill calculator with quick picks, Ameren’s winter price tiers, a summer-vs-now comparison, a new survey of online averages, ways to lower your bill, and links to every related guide. Rewritten in plain English, with a share row, tap-to-open sources and changelog, and a site-wide header and footer update.
- August 15, 2026 — Published.