Electricity Cost: California vs Illinois
Electricity in California costs approximately 77% more than in Illinois based on typical household electricity use. California averages 33.35¢/kWh and Illinois averages 18.86¢/kWh, putting a typical 900 kWh monthly bill at $300 vs $170.
Based on average residential rates from EIA data · 900 kWh standard usage benchmark
California rate
33.35 ¢/kWh
Illinois rate
18.86 ¢/kWh
California 900 kWh bill
$300.15
Illinois 900 kWh bill
$169.74
Comparison
| State | Electricity rate | Estimated monthly bill |
|---|---|---|
| California | 33.35 ¢/kWh | $300.15 |
| Illinois | 18.86 ¢/kWh | $169.74 |
Difference Summary
Electricity in California costs approximately 77% more than in Illinois based on typical household electricity use.
Difference: +$130.41 (+76.8%) at 900 kWh/month
Monthly Bill Comparison
Related Pages
- Energy comparison hub
- Compare states
- Electricity cost in California
- Electricity cost in Illinois
- Average electricity bill in California
- Average electricity bill in Illinois
- Electricity bill estimator in California · California apartment profile scenario
- Electricity bill estimator in Illinois
- Electricity affordability in California
- Electricity affordability in Illinois
- Appliance operating-cost pages in California
- Appliance operating-cost pages in Illinois
- Compare electricity prices between states
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which state has cheaper electricity: California or Illinois?
- Illinois has cheaper electricity. At 900 kWh/month, the estimated bill is $169.74 in Illinois vs $300.15 in California—about 76.8% less.
- How much more expensive is electricity in California?
- At 900 kWh/month, electricity in California costs about $130.41 more per month than in Illinois—roughly 76.8% higher.
- Why do electricity prices vary between states?
- Electricity prices vary due to generation mix (coal, gas, nuclear, renewables), transmission costs, regulations, taxes, and demand. States with more hydropower or natural gas often have lower rates; those relying on imported power or with higher renewable mandates may have higher rates.