INDEPENDENCE & TRANSPARENCY

The sources behind the numbers.

Official references, useful context, and the limits of each benchmark.

U.S. Energy Information Administration

Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A

Residential electricity prices for all states, D.C., and the U.S. average. Preliminary monthly data; not an individual utility tariff.

Used for: Electricity state benchmarks
Source period: June 2026 · released August 26, 2026
Last checked: September 5, 2026

U.S. Energy Information Administration

Measuring electricity

Explains watts, kilowatts, and kilowatt-hours. Supports the conversion from power and operating time to energy.

Used for: Wattage and energy methodology
Source period: Undated reference
Last checked: September 5, 2026

Federal Trade Commission

How to use the EnergyGuide label

Explains estimated annual usage and why actual operating costs vary. Our tool applies your rate to label kWh.

Used for: Annual-kWh appliance model
Source period: August 2022
Last checked: September 5, 2026

HUD USER

Worst Case Housing Needs — definitions

Housing cost burden considers gross rent including utilities. We use 30% as a comparison benchmark, not a legal limit or eligibility rule.

Used for: Rent affordability context
Source period: Undated definitions
Last checked: September 5, 2026

AAA

Your Driving Costs 2025 fact sheet

Fuel, maintenance, insurance, taxes, depreciation, and financing are distinct ownership costs. The 11.04¢/mile maintenance, repair, and tire reference models new vehicles over five years / 75,000 miles.

Used for: Vehicle categories and optional wear benchmark
Source period: September 16, 2025
Last checked: September 5, 2026

Internal Revenue Service

Standard mileage rates

Tax mileage rates serve specified tax purposes. We do not use the business mileage rate as your literal commute expense.

Used for: Commute limitations
Source period: Live reference table
Last checked: September 5, 2026

Reference data and example inputs

EIA rates are bundled with the site so a network problem does not prevent a calculation. The monthly snapshot records the source period, publication date, retrieval date, and units. All other prefilled amounts are illustrative unless explicitly sourced.

The PDF’s 18.44¢/kWh electricity fixture is preserved as an example. The U.S. EIA benchmark in the state selector is 18.34¢/kWh for June 2026. These are intentionally different.

Reviewed September 5, 2026.