Electricity Cost: California vs Iowa
Electricity costs about 135% more in California than in Iowa. A typical monthly bill runs about $299 in California vs $127 in Iowa.
Based on average residential rates from EIA data · 900 kWh of monthly use
California rate
33.25 ¢/kWh
Iowa rate
14.14 ¢/kWh
California 900 kWh bill
$299.25
Iowa 900 kWh bill
$127.26
Is electricity cheaper in California or Iowa?
| State | Electricity rate | Estimated monthly bill |
|---|---|---|
| California | 33.25 ¢/kWh | $299.25 |
| Iowa | 14.14 ¢/kWh | $127.26 |
What the difference adds up to
At a typical 900 kWh a month, a household in California pays about $171.99 more than one in Iowa — about 135% higher, or roughly $2064 a year for the same electricity.
Monthly Bill Comparison
Related Pages
- Energy comparison hub
- Compare states
- Electricity cost in California
- Electricity cost in Iowa
- Average electricity bill in California
- Average electricity bill in Iowa
- Electricity bill estimator in California · California apartment profile scenario
- Electricity bill estimator in Iowa · Iowa apartment profile scenario
- Electricity affordability in California
- Electricity affordability in Iowa
- Appliance operating-cost pages in California
- Appliance operating-cost pages in Iowa
- Compare electricity prices between states
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is electricity cheaper in California or Iowa?
- Iowa has cheaper electricity. At 900 kWh/month, the estimated bill is $127.26 in Iowa vs $299.25 in California—about 135.1% less.
- How much more expensive is electricity in California?
- At 900 kWh/month, electricity in California costs about $171.99 more per month than in Iowa—roughly 135.1% 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.