A new analysis reveals significant disparities in electricity costs across Germany, with consumers in some regions paying considerably more than their counterparts just kilometers away. The study, conducted by comparison portal Verivox, shows a cost difference of up to 29 percent between the most and least expensive federal states.
For a typical three-person household consuming 4,000 kilowatt-hours annually, the average electricity bill in Hamburg is calculated at €1,607. In contrast, a similar household in Bremen pays only €1,247 – a difference of €360, despite the cities being only 95 kilometers apart.
Berlin follows Hamburg as the second most expensive location for household electricity at €1,487 per year, followed by Saarland (€1,468), Baden-Württemberg (€1,466) and North Rhine-Westphalia (€1,443). The lowest costs are found in Bremen, alongside Saxony-Anhalt (€1,324), Saxony (€1,327), Lower Saxony (€1,335) and Brandenburg (€1,339). The national average for a three-person household is €1,409 annually.
Verivox calculated these figures using the “household price” which includes all taxes, levies and the monthly basic price. The analysis incorporates data from approximately 820 local utility providers, as well as pricing from energy comparison platforms and national energy suppliers.
The study also examined potential savings for customers switching from standard basic tariffs to the cheapest available fixed-rate contracts with price guarantees. On average, consumers could save €671 per year by making such a switch. The highest potential savings are in Thuringia (€870), Hamburg (€795) and Berlin (€752). The lowest savings are in Saxony (€690) and Bremen (€359).
According to Verivox energy expert Thorsten Storck, the primary driver of these regional price differences is the varying cost of grid usage fees. These fees cover the maintenance of power lines, meter readings and network infrastructure and are determined regionally.