Average Electrical Wiring Cost by State (2026)
Residential electrical is a 200-amp service, a panel, branch circuits to every room, receptacles at code spacing, light fixtures, AFCI/GFCI protection where the code requires it, and a low-voltage rough-in for cable/data. The full package for a 2,000 square foot single-family home runs $7,500 to $19,000 nationally — and the gap between cheapest and most expensive state is roughly 2.3×.
The 2023 NEC adoption cycle pushed AFCI and GFCI requirements into nearly every circuit, and EV charger pre-wires became a near-universal requested upgrade. Those two changes alone have added $400–$1,200 to the typical job compared to a 2019-cycle bid. The table below adjusts for state-level labor rates and material premiums but assumes a 2024+ NEC scope.
Where it's cheapest, where it's most expensive
Cheapest 4 states
- Mississippi · $6,500–$14,900
- Arkansas · $6,800–$15,600
- West Virginia · $6,800–$15,600
- Indiana · $7,000–$16,000
Most expensive 4 states
- California · $16,600–$37,900
- Hawaii · $15,600–$35,600
- New York · $13,700–$31,200
- Alaska · $13,700–$31,200
2026 electrical wiring cost by state
| State | Total cost (2,000 sq ft home) |
|---|---|
| Northeast | |
| Connecticut | $11,800–$27,000 |
| Maine | $10,600–$24,100 |
| Massachusetts | $13,100–$29,800 |
| New Hampshire | $11,100–$25,400 |
| New Jersey | $12,100–$27,600 |
| New York | $13,700–$31,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $9,300–$21,200 |
| Rhode Island | $11,600–$26,500 |
| Vermont | $11,100–$25,400 |
| Midwest | |
| Illinois | $9,000–$20,500 |
| Indiana | $7,000–$16,000 |
| Iowa | $7,600–$17,400 |
| Kansas | $7,400–$16,900 |
| Michigan | $7,900–$18,000 |
| Minnesota | $9,300–$21,200 |
| Missouri | $7,500–$17,200 |
| Nebraska | $7,700–$17,600 |
| North Dakota | $8,700–$19,800 |
| Ohio | $7,600–$17,400 |
| South Dakota | $8,100–$18,500 |
| Wisconsin | $8,700–$19,800 |
| South | |
| Alabama | $7,200–$16,500 |
| Arkansas | $6,800–$15,600 |
| Delaware | $10,000–$22,700 |
| Florida | $8,800–$20,000 |
| Georgia | $7,800–$17,800 |
| Kentucky | $7,300–$16,700 |
| Louisiana | $7,800–$17,800 |
| Maryland | $10,500–$23,800 |
| Mississippi | $6,500–$14,900 |
| North Carolina | $7,600–$17,400 |
| Oklahoma | $7,200–$16,500 |
| South Carolina | $7,500–$17,200 |
| Tennessee | $7,300–$16,700 |
| Texas | $8,400–$19,200 |
| Virginia | $9,000–$20,500 |
| West Virginia | $6,800–$15,600 |
| West | |
| Alaska | $13,700–$31,200 |
| Arizona | $9,800–$22,300 |
| California | $16,600–$37,900 |
| Colorado | $11,600–$26,500 |
| Hawaii | $15,600–$35,600 |
| Idaho | $9,600–$21,800 |
| Montana | $10,100–$22,900 |
| Nevada | $10,100–$22,900 |
| New Mexico | $8,800–$20,000 |
| Oregon | $11,100–$25,400 |
| Utah | $10,400–$23,600 |
| Washington | $12,300–$28,100 |
| Wyoming | $9,800–$22,300 |
Methodology: ranges are state-cost-adjusted from a national trade baseline and reflect typical contractor direct cost (labor + materials, before overhead). Use them for feasibility-grade scoping, not as a binding quote. For a project-specific estimate, generate one free in under 60 seconds.
What moves electrical cost on a real job
Service size. 200 amp is the new residential default. 100 amp service is cheaper but rare in new construction. 400 amp service for an EV-charging, all-electric home adds $1,800–$3,500 in panel, meter base, and feeder upgrades.
Code adoption cycle. States on the 2020 or 2023 NEC require AFCI on nearly every branch circuit and GFCI in more locations than the 2017 cycle. That alone adds $300–$800 per job in materials. California, New York, Massachusetts, and Oregon are on the most recent code.
EV charger pre-wire. A 50-amp dedicated circuit to the garage with a NEMA 14-50 receptacle adds $400–$900 if done during rough-in. Adding it later after drywall is $1,500–$3,000. Most 2026 bids include this as standard.
Solar and battery readiness. California Title 24 mandates solar on new construction, which adds a separate $8,000–$18,000 line item (not included in the electrical baseline above — see our climate zone cost impact guide). Battery pre-wire for future Tesla Powerwall or equivalent adds $600–$1,400.
Union vs non-union markets. Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, and Las Vegas have heavy IBEW penetration. Union electrician total comp (wages plus benefits) runs $95–$130/hour all-in vs $50–$80 non-union. That premium flows through to the total cost.
Frequently asked questions
What does residential electrical rough-in include?
Why is electrical so much more expensive in California?
How many circuits does a typical 2,000 sq ft home need?
Does the cost include lighting fixtures?
What does an EV charger install actually cost?
How CostKit handles electrical
Generate an estimate and the electrical line uses your state's OEWS wage for electricians, the latest NEC adoption status, and any code-driven premiums (Title 24, stretch codes) that apply where you're building. Try it free on your next bid.
Related
The cost ranges above are state-level averages. Three things move the number for a specific project: the local labor market right now (see permit activity and labor demand), the climate zone you're building in (see climate zone cost impact), and whether the address sits in a hurricane, flood, or seismic overlay (see coastal construction overhead).
For broader benchmarks, see our cost per square foot by state breakdown and construction labor rates by state guide.