Energy · Manufacturing pulse

What manufacturing energy costs.

U.S. industrial electricity price by state on a tile map, plus natural gas, diesel, and crude, each with a six-month projection versus the EIA outlook.

Headline energy benchmarks

  • Industrial electricity: 8.71 cents per kWh, U.S. average (EIA, May 2026).
  • Industrial natural gas: 4.27 per Mcf (EIA, May 2026).
  • On-highway diesel: $5.26 per gallon (EIA).
  • WTI crude: $84.77 per barrel (EIA).

Cheapest states for industrial power

  • New Mexico: 4.5 cents per kWh.
  • Oklahoma: 6.2 cents per kWh.
  • Texas: 6.3 cents per kWh.
  • Tennessee: 6.5 cents per kWh.
  • Iowa: 6.6 cents per kWh.
  • Arkansas: 6.7 cents per kWh.

Most expensive states for industrial power

  • Hawaii: 41.9 cents per kWh.
  • Alaska: 31.4 cents per kWh.
  • Rhode Island: 22.2 cents per kWh.
  • California: 20.2 cents per kWh.
  • Massachusetts: 19.9 cents per kWh.
  • New Hampshire: 17.0 cents per kWh.

The EIA outlook

  • EIA projects industrial electricity at 9.01 cents/kWh in 2026 and 9.05 cents/kWh in 2027 (Short-Term Energy Outlook).
  • EIA projects industrial natural gas at 4.86 USD/Mcf in 2026 and 4.26 USD/Mcf in 2027 (Short-Term Energy Outlook).
  • EIA projects retail diesel at 4.85 USD/gal in 2026 and 4.07 USD/gal in 2027 (Short-Term Energy Outlook).
  • EIA projects WTI crude at 80.88 USD/bbl in 2026 and 65.39 USD/bbl in 2027 (Short-Term Energy Outlook).

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.