Electricity Cost: California vs North Carolina
Electricity costs about 122% more in California than in North Carolina. A typical monthly bill runs about $302 in California vs $136 in North Carolina.
Based on average residential rates from EIA data · 900 kWh of monthly use
California rate
33.61 ¢/kWh
North Carolina rate
15.16 ¢/kWh
California 900 kWh bill
$302.49
North Carolina 900 kWh bill
$136.44
Is electricity cheaper in California or North Carolina?
| State | Electricity rate | Estimated monthly bill |
|---|---|---|
| California | 33.61 ¢/kWh | $302.49 |
| North Carolina | 15.16 ¢/kWh | $136.44 |
What the difference adds up to
At a typical 900 kWh a month, a household in California pays about $166.05 more than one in North Carolina — about 122% higher, or roughly $1993 a year for the same electricity.
Monthly Bill Comparison
Related Pages
- Energy comparison hub
- Compare states
- Electricity cost in California
- Electricity cost in North Carolina
- Average electricity bill in California
- Average electricity bill in North Carolina
- Electricity bill estimator in California · California apartment profile scenario
- Electricity bill estimator in North Carolina · North Carolina apartment profile scenario
- Electricity affordability in California
- Electricity affordability in North Carolina
- Appliance operating-cost pages in California
- Appliance operating-cost pages in North Carolina
- Compare electricity prices between states
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is electricity cheaper in California or North Carolina?
- North Carolina has cheaper electricity. At 900 kWh/month, the estimated bill is $136.44 in North Carolina vs $302.49 in California—about 121.7% less.
- How much more expensive is electricity in California?
- At 900 kWh/month, electricity in California costs about $166.05 more per month than in North Carolina—roughly 121.7% 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.