Electricity Cost: California vs Washington
Electricity costs about 122% more in California than in Washington. A typical monthly bill runs about $299 in California vs $135 in Washington.
Based on average residential rates from EIA data · 900 kWh of monthly use
California rate
33.25 ¢/kWh
Washington rate
14.95 ¢/kWh
California 900 kWh bill
$299.25
Washington 900 kWh bill
$134.55
Is electricity cheaper in California or Washington?
| State | Electricity rate | Estimated monthly bill |
|---|---|---|
| California | 33.25 ¢/kWh | $299.25 |
| Washington | 14.95 ¢/kWh | $134.55 |
What the difference adds up to
At a typical 900 kWh a month, a household in California pays about $164.70 more than one in Washington — about 122% higher, or roughly $1976 a year for the same electricity.
Monthly Bill Comparison
Related Pages
- Energy comparison hub
- Compare states
- Electricity cost in California
- Electricity cost in Washington
- Average electricity bill in California
- Average electricity bill in Washington
- Electricity bill estimator in California · California apartment profile scenario
- Electricity bill estimator in Washington · Washington apartment profile scenario
- Electricity affordability in California
- Electricity affordability in Washington
- Appliance operating-cost pages in California
- Appliance operating-cost pages in Washington
- Compare electricity prices between states
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is electricity cheaper in California or Washington?
- Washington has cheaper electricity. At 900 kWh/month, the estimated bill is $134.55 in Washington vs $299.25 in California—about 122.4% less.
- How much more expensive is electricity in California?
- At 900 kWh/month, electricity in California costs about $164.70 more per month than in Washington—roughly 122.4% 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.