March 2026
Summary and Insights
Electricity. In December 2025, New York’s average residential electricity price was 27.39 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), the sixth-highest in the nation and 59 percent above the U.S. average. Prices increased 3.7 percent from November and were 12.2 percent higher than in December 2024.
Natural Gas. Average residential natural gas prices fell 10.5 percent from the previous month to $16.06 per thousand cubic feet—20th highest nationally, 14 percent above the U.S. average, and 4.7 percent higher than a year ago.
Trends. Historically, New York’s average prices for both electricity and natural gas have exceeded the U.S. average, but the price differences have been declining over the past couple of decades. However, since 2019, electricity prices in New York have steadily diverged upward from the national average, reversing the previous trend of convergence.
Data. Average residential prices are approximations, calculated from residential sales revenues and volumes, not actual retail prices. See the notes at the bottom of the report for more information.
Electricity
In December 2025, New York ranked 6th among all states in average residential electricity prices. At 27.39 cents per kWh, this was 59 percent above the U.S. average.
New York vs. Largest States. New York’s prices were significantly higher than those in Florida and Texas, but lower than those in California.
New York vs. Neighboring States. New York’s price was higher than those in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Connecticut but lower than in Massachusetts.
Month-on-Month Change. While residential electricity prices declined in most states, New York’s price increased by 3.7 percent; only California also recorded an increase.
Year-on-Year Change. Compared to December 2024, the price rose by 12.2 percent, double the U.S. average increase of 6 percent. Even though prices rose even faster in Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, prices in those states remained significantly lower than in New York.
Intermediate-term. New York’s average electricity prices have climbed 58 percent since 2019, a rate that surpasses increases in neighboring states and exceeds the national average by 22 percentage points.
Long term. New York’s electricity prices have consistently exceeded the U.S. average. Over the past two decades, the gap narrowed steadily—from 80 percent in 2001 to 40 percent by 2019. Since then, that trend has reversed. As of December 2025, the dollar gap between New York and the national average was the largest since 2001.
Natural Gas
In December 2025, New York’s average residential natural gas price was $16.06 per thousand cubic feet, the 20th highest in the nation and 14 percent above the U.S. average.
New York vs. Neighboring States. New York’s prices were higher than those in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but lower than those in Massachusetts.
Month-on-Month Change. In December, New York’s prices fell by almost 11 percent compared to November, more than the 6.5‑percent decrease nationwide.
Year-on-Year Change. New York’s prices rose 4.7 percent compared to 12 months ago, while the U.S. average rose by 9.7 percent.
Intermediate-term. Compared to 2019, New York’s average price has risen by 49.4 percent, similar to the U.S. average of 51.5 percent.
Long term. On average, New York’s prices generally follow national trends while remaining about 15 percent higher. However, over the past two decades, that gap has gradually narrowed.
Data notes. As the U.S. Energy Information Administration states, “EIA does not directly collect retail electricity rates or prices. However, using data collected on retail sales revenues and volumes, we calculate average retail revenues per kWh as a proxy for retail rates and prices. Retail sales volumes are presented as a proxy for end-use electricity consumption.” Similarly, for natural gas, EIA claims, “Price data are representative of prices for gas sold and delivered to residential, commercial, and industrial consumers. These prices do not reflect average prices of natural gas transported to consumers for the account of third parties or “spot-market” prices… All average prices… are computed by dividing the reported revenue by its associated sales volume.”
February 2026 Energy Data Bulletin, pdf version
January 2026 Energy Data Bulletin, pdf version
About the Author
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