Energy Data Bulletin August 2026

Energy Data Bulletin

August 2026

Summary and Insights

Electricity. In May 2026, New York had the nation’s third-highest residential electricity price at 29.93 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), 62.3 percent above the U.S. average. Prices increased 1.6 percent from April and were 12.1 percent higher than a year earlier.
Natural Gas. In May 2026, New York’s average residential natural gas price was $22.74 per thousand cubic feet, which was higher than the U.S. average of $19.83. Prices increased 7.52 percent from April and were 2.28 percent lower than a year ago.
Trends. New York households paid above-average prices for both electricity and natural gas in May 2026, but the gap was far larger for electricity. Residential electricity prices exceeded the national average by 62.3 percent, compared with a 14.7 percent premium for natural gas.
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 May 2026, New York ranked 3rd among all states in average residential electricity prices. At 29.93 cents per kWh, this was 62.3 percent above the U.S. average. Only Hawaii and California reported higher average residential electricity prices than New York this month.

New York vs. Largest States. Among the nation’s largest states, only California reported higher residential electricity prices than New York, while Florida and Texas remained substantially lower.
New York vs. Neighboring States. Among neighboring states, New York’s residential electricity prices were higher than those in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.
Month-on-Month Change. New York’s residential electricity price increased by 1.6 percent between April and May, while the national average declined by 2.1 percent, widening the gap between New York and the U.S. average.
Year-on-Year Change. New York’s residential electricity price increased nearly twice as fast as the national average over the past year (12.1 percent versus 6.2 percent).
Intermediate-term. New York’s average electricity price has increased 72.5 percent since 2019, significantly faster than the national average increase of 38.5 percent.
Long term. As of May 2026, New York’s average residential electricity price was 11.49 cents per kWh higher than the U.S. average. New York has consistently recorded residential electricity prices above the national average, with the gap widening noticeably since 2021.

Natural Gas

In May 2026, New York’s average residential natural gas price was $22.74 per thousand cubic feet, which was higher than the U.S. average of $19.83 by 14.7 percent.

New York vs. Largest States. New York’s prices were higher than those in California, but lower than those in Florida and Texas.
New York vs. Neighboring States. New York’s prices were higher than those in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, but lower than those in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Month-on-Month Change. New York’s prices increased by 7.5 percent, while the national average increased by 9.1 percent.
Year-on-Year Change. Compared to May 2025, New York’s prices decreased by 2.3 percent, while the U.S. average increased by 3.1 percent.
Intermediate-term. Compared to 2019, New York’s average price increased by 62.5 percent, higher than the U.S. average increase of 55.4 percent.
Long term. As of May 2026, New York’s average residential natural gas price was $2.91 per thousand cubic feet higher than the U.S. average, or 14.7 percent higher. Over the long term, New York residential natural gas prices have generally tracked national movements while remaining modestly above the U.S. average.