Electricity Price History in California
Electricity cost depends on monthly usage and your state's rate. Below are historical rate trends and price change metrics for California. Data comes from EIA residential retail sales.
Current rate
30.29 ¢/kWh
1-year change
+0.0%
5-year increase
+41.2%
Price Trend
Summary
Electricity prices in California have increased 41.2% over the past 5 years. One year ago the rate was 30.28¢/kWh; it is now 30.29¢/kWh. Five years ago the rate was 21.45¢/kWh.
More Data & Comparisons
- Electricity inflation in California — Price growth, trends, rankings
- Electricity cost in California — Rates, value score, affordability
- Average electricity bill in California — Monthly and annual bill estimates
- Electricity cost calculator for California — Usage-based estimates
- Full California knowledge page — Rates, value score, affordability, trends
- All states price history
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much have electricity prices changed in California?
- Electricity prices in California have increased 41.2% over the past 5 years. The 1-year change is 0%. The annualized 5-year increase is approximately 7.1% per year.
- Why do electricity prices change?
- Electricity prices change due to fuel costs (natural gas, coal, renewables), transmission and distribution investments, regulatory policies, demand patterns, and weather. State-level rates also reflect local generation mix and market structure.
- Are electricity prices rising faster than inflation?
- It varies by state and period. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that electricity prices have often risen faster than overall inflation in recent years due to grid modernization, renewable mandates, and fuel cost volatility. Compare your state's annualized increase to CPI inflation.