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Manufacturing costs in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ranks 56 of 100 U.S. metros by estimated manufacturing energy use. Industrial power in Virginia costs 9.98 ¢/kWh, +6.2% from a year earlier, and consumer prices in the Washington DC index are +4.1% from a year earlier.

By Sam Strong, VP Business Development · Reviewed by Tara Dugger, COO · Data from FRED, BLS and EIA · Updated Nov 11, 2026

Rank by manufacturing energy use
56 of 100
Estimated manufacturing energy use
30.3 trillion Btu a year
Electricity
2,800 GWh a year (estimate)
Natural gas
20.9 million Dth a year (estimate)
Manufacturing jobs, 2024
57,300
Estimate confidence
Medium
Virginia industrial power, Aug 2026
9.98 ¢/kWh (+6.2% from a year earlier)
Virginia citygate gas, Mar to Aug 2026
$5.92 per Mcf (6 months reported)
Inflation, Washington DC, Sep 2026
+4.1% from a year earlier; +9.5% over three years

Inflation in Washington DC

  • Washington DC
  • U.S. city average
Inflation in Washington DC versus the U.S. city averageTwelve-month change in consumer prices for Washington DC and the U.S. city average, 2018 to Oct 2026.-2%0%+2%+4%+6%+8%+10%20182020202220242026Washington DCU.S. city averageInflation in Washington DC versus the U.S. city averageTwelve-month change in consumer prices for Washington DC and the U.S. city average, 2018 to Oct 2026.-2%0%+2%+4%+6%+8%+10%20182020202220242026Washington DCU.S. city average

Industrial electricity in Virginia

  • Virginia industrial
Industrial electricity price in VirginiaAverage industrial electricity price in Virginia, cents per kWh, monthly from EIA.5¢6¢7¢8¢9¢10¢11¢201620182020202220242026Virginia industrialIndustrial electricity price in VirginiaAverage industrial electricity price in Virginia, cents per kWh, monthly from EIA.5¢6¢7¢8¢9¢10¢11¢201620182020202220242026Virginia industrial

Virginia power and gas

Other Virginia metros in the index

National cost drivers

WTI crude +67.6%, Henry Hub gas −6.3%, chemical producer prices +6.6% and industrial electricity producer prices +4.1% from a year earlier. See the full index.

Questions

Questions about Washington–Arlington–Alexandria.

What the index measures, where the numbers come from, and how Discovery Energy checks energy bills against them.

How much energy do manufacturers use in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria?

Discovery Energy estimates that manufacturers in the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro use about 30.3 trillion Btu of electricity and natural gas a year, rank 56 of the 100 largest U.S. manufacturing energy metros.

What do manufacturers pay for electricity in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria?

The average industrial electricity price in Virginia was 9.98 cents per kWh in Aug 2026, +6.2% from a year earlier, according to EIA. Actual rates depend on the utility, tariff and load profile.

How fast are prices rising in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria?

Consumer prices in the Washington DC index rose +4.1% over the latest twelve months reported by BLS. Nationally, crude oil is +68% and chemical producer prices +6.6% from a year earlier.

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