NorthWestern Energy LLC Electricity Rates and Average Bill (Montana)
Data through May 2026 (the latest month EIA has published) · Updated August 14, 2026
As of May 2026, NorthWestern Energy LLC's residential customers in Montana paid an average effective rate of 16.74¢/kWh with an average monthly bill of $96.28, per EIA Form 861-M data. That rate is 2.1¢ above the Montana average of 14.67¢/kWh; the U.S. average is 18.44¢/kWh.
Rate trend vs the Montana average
View this chart as a table (last 12 months)
| Month | Rate (¢/kWh) | Avg bill ($/mo) | Avg usage (kWh/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2025 | 17.10 | 97.42 | 570 |
| July 2025 | 15.85 | 116.27 | 734 |
| 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 |
NorthWestern Energy LLC vs Montana vs the U.S.
| NorthWestern Energy LLC | Montana | U.S. average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rate (May 2026) | 16.74¢/kWh | 14.67¢/kWh | 18.44¢/kWh |
| Average monthly bill | $96.28 | $101.68 | $135.70 |
| Average monthly usage | 575 kWh | 693 kWh | 736 kWh |
| Rate change, 1 year | +23.1% | +13.9% | +6.2% |
Estimate a bill at NorthWestern Energy LLC rates
Worked example: 1,000 kWh at NorthWestern Energy LLC's average effective rate of 16.74¢/kWh is about $167.40. The utility's actual average usage is 575 kWh/month, which produces the $96.28 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.