What do Washington utilities charge before you use any power?
9 Washington utilities, 40 plans, 67% of homes covered. The middle utility bills $28.29 monthly, $339 over twelve months, whatever the meter reads. At 13.11 cents a kWh that buys 216 kWh, about 23% of a 953 kWh bill. Rank 2 of 24, $9.79 over the $18.50 all-state figure.
Washington: fixed charge by utility
| Puget Sound Energy Inc | investor-owned | 1,091,599 | 11 | $17.99 | $7.49 to $70.14 | 2025-03-10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Seattle | municipal | 459,964 | 9 | $13.48 | $12.48 to $13.48 | 2026-02-23 |
| PUD No 1 of Snohomish County | political-subdivision | 346,532 | 1 | $14.90 | $14.90 | 2026-02-20 |
| City of Tacoma | municipal | 180,357 | 13 | $24.83 | $18.40 to $30.36 | 2026-03-09 |
| PUD No 1 of Cowlitz County | political-subdivision | 48,267 | 2 | $28.29 | $24.64 to $31.94 | 2026-02-20 |
| Peninsula Light Company | cooperative | 35,478 | 1 | $37.00 | $37.00 | 2025-09-29 |
| PUD No 3 of Mason County | political-subdivision | 33,975 | 1 | $53.23 | $53.23 | 2026-01-21 |
| Orcas Power & Light Coop | cooperative | 13,948 | 1 | $59.99 | $59.99 | 2025-01-17 |
| Benton Rural Electric Assn | cooperative | 13,422 | 1 | $29.95 | $29.95 | 2026-04-14 |
Washington utility medians
$59.99 at the top against $13.48 at the bottom: 4.5 to 1. Puget Sound Energy Inc, the biggest at 1,091,599 homes, bills $17.99, $10.30 under the state median. Weighted by homes: $17.99 (-$10.30). Puget Sound Energy Inc alone spans $7.49 to $70.14 over 11 plans.
What $28.29 a month means in Washington
$28.29 at 13.11 cents is 216 kWh, 23% of a typical 953 kWh month.
Per kWh: 3.0 cents at 953 kWh, 5.9 cents at 476 kWh.
Where Washington sits among states
Georgia is 1st at $28.43, $0.14 over Washington. Oregon is 3rd at $28.16, $0.13 under Washington. Tennessee is 4th at $25.48, $2.81 under Washington.
Washington beside 1 neighbor
| Neighbor | Median $ | Gap to Washington | Utilities / plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $28.16 | -$0.13 | 3 / 9 |
Check your Washington utility
- Pick your Washington utility.
More
Nearest medians: Oregon $28.16, Georgia $28.43, Tennessee $25.48, South Carolina $24.45
Sources
Washington plan edits run 2025-01-17 to 2026-04-14; hub page: file dates and checksums.
Questions
How much is the fixed charge for Washington electricity customers?
$28.29 a month at the median of 9 utilities ($13.48 to $59.99); $17.99 when weighted by homes.
Which Washington utility has the highest fixed charge?
Orcas Power & Light Coop, with a median of $59.99 a month across 1 plan.
Can I avoid the fixed charge in Washington?
Not by using less: the cheapest Washington plan read lists $7.49 and the dearest $70.14, each billed at zero use.
How recent is this Washington data?
Washington plan edits date from 2025-01-17 to 2026-04-14; a rate case can move a charge after that, so read your own tariff.