Average electricity cost in California
Average residential electricity rate and typical bill in California. Figures come from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2023 annual average.
29.51cents/kWh
- Typical use
- 491 kWh/mo
- Typical bill
- $144.89/mo
The U.S. average is 16.00 cents/kWh, so California sits 84% above it.
California carries some of the highest residential rates in the country. Wildfire mitigation, grid hardening, and large transmission and rooftop-solar integration programs are folded into delivery charges, which is why the per-kWh price sits well above the national figure.
Mild coastal weather and widespread natural-gas heating keep household electricity use low, so the average home pulls fewer kilowatt-hours each month than almost any other large state. A high rate on a small number of kilowatt-hours still produces a moderate monthly bill.
Most households are served by Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, or San Diego Gas & Electric, each with tiered and time-of-use plans that can push your effective rate above or below the state average.
The electricity bill calculator opens with the California rate of 29.51 cents/kWh already filled in. Add your appliances and hours of use to see daily, monthly, and yearly costs.
EIA State Electricity Profiles, California, 2023 annual average.
Average residential sales per customer for California, derived from the same EIA dataset.
Released 2024-10-23; reviewed 2026-06-20.
National residential average over 855 kWh per month.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), State Electricity Profiles, Table 8. Sales to ultimate customers, revenue, and average price by sector (2023 annual average). Reviewed 2026-06-20. View the California profile.
- 1Start with the California residential rate: 29.51 cents/kWh, which is about 84% above the U.S. average of 16.00 cents/kWh.
- 2Take the typical local usage: 491 kWh per month.
- 3Multiply usage by the rate: 491 kWh x $0.2951 = $144.89 per month.
- 4Scale to a year: $144.89 x 12 = about $1,739 per year before taxes and fixed fees.
This covers energy only. Your real bill also includes fixed charges, taxes, and any plan-specific rates, which is why running your own numbers matters.
What is the average electricity rate in California?
The average residential electricity rate in California is 29.51 cents per kWh, about 84% above the U.S. average of 16.00 cents/kWh. That figure comes from the U.S. Energy Information Administration's State Electricity Profiles for 2023 annual average.
How much is a typical monthly electricity bill in California?
A California home using about 491 kWh a month pays roughly $144.89 for energy, or about $1,739 a year before taxes and fixed charges. Your own bill depends on your usage and plan.
Why is electricity priced the way it is in California?
California carries some of the highest residential rates in the country. Wildfire mitigation, grid hardening, and large transmission and rooftop-solar integration programs are folded into delivery charges, which is why the per-kWh price sits well above the national figure.
Does time-of-use pricing change my California electricity rate?
Yes. California's major utilities default many customers onto time-of-use plans, so power costs more during late-afternoon and evening peak hours and less overnight. The state average blends every plan together, so shifting heavy loads off-peak can lower your effective rate below the figure shown here.