California Electricity Rates & Prices

33.61¢
per kWh (avg residential)
$302
est. monthly bill at 900 kWh
High
rate tier
-1.13¢ (-3.25%)
month-over-month change
#2 of 51
highest rate, states and DC
+2.9%
12-month change

The typical California home pays about 33.61¢ per kilowatt-hour — roughly $302 a month at average usage. The figures here reflect the latest EIA reporting and show how California electricity prices compare to the national average, plus what's pushing them up or down.

Data status: freshDataset last updated Sep 28, 2026 (UTC). The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) publishes monthly state data with a reporting lag, so the rates above reflect July 2026 activity. · Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) · Methodology

California's average residential electricity price is 33.61¢/kWh for the latest complete EIA reporting month (July 2026). This places California in the high rate tier compared with other states. At 900 kWh of monthly usage, the estimated electricity bill is about $302.49 at the all-in average rate.

How California compares nationally

Low <15¢Medium 15–22¢High >22¢U.S. average: 18.31¢/kWh
US electricity rates by stateHighest: Hawaii at 48¢/kWh. Lowest: Louisiana at 12.72¢/kWh. U.S. average: 18.31¢/kWh.Alabama: 16.4¢/kWh — 10% below the U.S. averageAlaska: 28.83¢/kWh — 57% above the U.S. averageArizona: 15.38¢/kWh — 16% below the U.S. averageArkansas: 14.33¢/kWh — 22% below the U.S. averageColorado: 17¢/kWh — 7% below the U.S. averageConnecticut: 24.16¢/kWh — 32% above the U.S. averageDelaware: 18.48¢/kWh — 1% above the U.S. averageDistrict of Columbia: 25.21¢/kWh — 38% above the U.S. averageFlorida: 15.03¢/kWh — 18% below the U.S. averageGeorgia: 16.27¢/kWh — 11% below the U.S. averageHawaii: 48¢/kWh — 162% above the U.S. averageIdaho: 13.73¢/kWh — 25% below the U.S. averageIllinois: 19.22¢/kWh — 5% above the U.S. averageIndiana: 16.73¢/kWh — 9% below the U.S. averageIowa: 15.99¢/kWh — 13% below the U.S. averageKansas: 15.27¢/kWh — 17% below the U.S. averageKentucky: 13.81¢/kWh — 25% below the U.S. averageLouisiana: 12.72¢/kWh — 31% below the U.S. averageMaine: 32.41¢/kWh — 77% above the U.S. averageMaryland: 21.41¢/kWh — 17% above the U.S. averageMassachusetts: 30.49¢/kWh — 67% above the U.S. averageMichigan: 23.05¢/kWh — 26% above the U.S. averageMinnesota: 17.45¢/kWh — 5% below the U.S. averageMississippi: 14.54¢/kWh — 21% below the U.S. averageMissouri: 16.09¢/kWh — 12% below the U.S. averageMontana: 14.99¢/kWh — 18% below the U.S. averageNebraska: 13.78¢/kWh — 25% below the U.S. averageNevada: 12.77¢/kWh — 30% below the U.S. averageNew Hampshire: 26.6¢/kWh — 45% above the U.S. averageNew Jersey: 25.19¢/kWh — 38% above the U.S. averageNew Mexico: 16.09¢/kWh — 12% below the U.S. averageNew York: 29.9¢/kWh — 63% above the U.S. averageNorth Carolina: 15.16¢/kWh — 17% below the U.S. averageNorth Dakota: 13.41¢/kWh — 27% below the U.S. averageOhio: 19.45¢/kWh — 6% above the U.S. averageOklahoma: 14.35¢/kWh — 22% below the U.S. averageOregon: 15.97¢/kWh — 13% below the U.S. averagePennsylvania: 21.72¢/kWh — 19% above the U.S. averageRhode Island: 28.29¢/kWh — 55% above the U.S. averageSouth Carolina: 15.47¢/kWh — 16% below the U.S. averageSouth Dakota: 15.37¢/kWh — 16% below the U.S. averageTennessee: 13.71¢/kWh — 25% below the U.S. averageTexas: 15.88¢/kWh — 13% below the U.S. averageUtah: 13.12¢/kWh — 28% below the U.S. averageVermont: 23.75¢/kWh — 30% above the U.S. averageVirginia: 17.55¢/kWh — 4% below the U.S. averageWashington: 14.71¢/kWh — 20% below the U.S. averageWest Virginia: 15.78¢/kWh — 14% below the U.S. averageWisconsin: 19.06¢/kWh — 4% above the U.S. averageWyoming: 14.36¢/kWh — 22% below the U.S. averageCalifornia: 33.61¢/kWh — 84% above the U.S. averageALAKAZARCACOCTDEDCFLGAHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMEMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNJNMNYNCNDOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWY
At 33.61¢/kWh, California is about 84% above the U.S. average. Green is cheaper, red is costlier — hover any state to compare.

California electricity prices, last 12 months

From August 2025 to July 2026, the average residential rate moved +1.96¢/kWh. Monthly figures are EIA state averages; the change column is versus the prior month.

MonthAvg rate (¢/kWh)Change
July 202633.61−1.13¢
June 202634.74+1.49¢
May 202633.25−2.00¢
April 202635.25+1.90¢
March 202633.35+0.13¢
February 202633.22+2.93¢
January 202630.29−4.42¢
December 202534.71+2.82¢
November 202531.89−1.71¢
October 202533.60+1.56¢
September 202532.04+0.39¢
August 202531.65−1.01¢

California electricity price history has the full monthly record and year-over-year comparisons.

California rates have risen 49.4% over the past five years. The year-by-year record, with the change for each year, is on California electricity price history: up 49.4% in 5 years.

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Quick California bill estimate

Est. California electricity cost: $302.49

Fees are already included: this uses the all-in average rate — energy, delivery, and utility fees together, not just the electricity. See what's inside the all-in rate.

California electricity cost calculator · National electricity cost calculator for any kWh amount

Major utilities in California

Scores & rankings

41
Affordability (Average)
44
Value Score™ (Moderate)
184
Price Index™ (Above National Average)

Value ranking · Price Index ranking · Affordability index

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Similar-priced states

West region

Cities in California

Price drivers (qualitative)

  • Generation Mix: Renewable integration and natural gas backup
  • Taxes & Fees: Public purpose programs and surcharges
  • Transmission Constraints: Transmission investment for wildfire hardening

View full drivers analysis for California

Regulatory signals

  • Open rate cases: 0
  • No regulatory events tracked yet.

View regulatory overview for California

FAQ

What are California electricity rates right now?

California electricity rates average 33.61¢/kWh for residential customers (EIA, July 2026), the #2 highest of 51 states and DC. At 900 kWh a month that is about $302 on California's all-in average rate.

What is the average residential electricity price in California?

California's average residential electricity rate is 33.61¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026).

How is the California bill estimate calculated?

Monthly kWh × 33.61¢/kWh ÷ 100, using California's EIA all-in average residential rate (delivery included).

Does the California rate include delivery fees and taxes?

Yes for delivery and utility fees: California's all-in rate of 33.61¢/kWh already includes delivery (T&D), fixed charges, and other utility fees. Locally billed taxes vary by area and utility within California.

Is electricity in California cheaper than the U.S. average?

At 33.61¢/kWh, California is 84% above the U.S. average of 18.31¢/kWh — the EIA's U.S.-total residential price — which places California in the high rate tier.

More about electricity in California

Why prices vary by state · Why electricity costs what it does in California · 1,000 kWh bill · 1,500 kWh bill

Methodology & data

Average residential electricity price in cents per kWh from the published state-level dataset. Values are used as a reference benchmark for comparison and estimation.

Estimates use the EIA all-in average residential rate — energy, delivery, fixed charges, and utility fees together, not just the electricity itself. Fees are inside the rate, not an extra on top; how your own bill splits fixed versus per-kWh charges varies by utility.

Full methodology · Data policy · Source data

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