Visualized: Data Center Impact on Energy Rates

We found that energy bills have increased 6% from 2024 to 2026 during the AI data center boom or roughly $5 per month per household which was 42% of the overall rate increase – the other 58% coming from non data center sources.

All rate increases:

All data in one graphic:

Distribution of rate increases by household:

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-pjm-power-grid-auction-prices-expected-stabilize-near-record-highs-2026-07-14

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=67106

https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_a

https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/update/wholesale-markets.php

https://eta.lbl.gov/publications/2024-lbnl-data-center-energy-usage-report

https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.19777