NorthWestern Energy LLC Electricity Rates and Average Bill (Montana)
Data through July 2026 (the latest month EIA has published) · Updated October 13, 2026
As of July 2026, NorthWestern Energy LLC's residential customers in Montana paid an average effective rate of 16.31¢/kWh with an average monthly bill of $138.25, per EIA Form 861-M data. That rate is 1.3¢ above the Montana average of 14.99¢/kWh; the U.S. average is 18.31¢/kWh.
Rate trend vs the Montana average
View this chart as a table (last 12 months)
| Month | Rate (¢/kWh) | Avg bill ($/mo) | Avg usage (kWh/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2025 | 16.06 | 115.17 | 717 |
| September 2025 | 16.62 | 99.91 | 601 |
| October 2025 | 15.92 | 90.76 | 570 |
| November 2025 | 14.02 | 87.52 | 624 |
| December 2025 | 14.34 | 116.53 | 812 |
| January 2026 | 14.80 | 131.63 | 890 |
| February 2026 | 15.96 | 118.68 | 744 |
| March 2026 | 15.51 | 106.88 | 689 |
| April 2026 | 16.08 | 98.87 | 615 |
| May 2026 | 16.74 | 96.28 | 575 |
| June 2026 | 16.94 | 96.40 | 569 |
| July 2026 | 16.31 | 138.25 | 848 |
NorthWestern Energy LLC vs Montana vs the U.S.
| NorthWestern Energy LLC | Montana | U.S. average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rate (July 2026) | 16.31¢/kWh | 14.99¢/kWh | 18.31¢/kWh |
| Average monthly bill | $138.25 | $133.30 | $212.44 |
| Average monthly usage | 848 kWh | 889 kWh | 1160 kWh |
| Rate change, 1 year | +2.9% | +5.0% | +4.9% |
Estimate a bill at NorthWestern Energy LLC rates
Worked example: 1,000 kWh at NorthWestern Energy LLC's average effective rate of 16.31¢/kWh is about $163.10. The utility's actual average usage is 848 kWh/month, which produces the $138.25 average bill. This is an all-in average (energy, delivery, fixed charges, riders); your tariff's marginal price will differ.
See the full Montana rate trend, look up another utility by ZIP code, or read why electric bills are rising.
Source: EIA Form 861-M (monthly utility-level sales to ultimate customers, residential), published with roughly a two-month lag. Rate = revenue ÷ sales; bill = revenue ÷ customers. Months failing basic sanity screens are excluded. See methodology.