How Much Does 500 kWh Cost in California?
This usage-based electricity page estimates the energy-only cost of 500 kWh in California using the latest statewide residential average rate.
California average rate
33.22 ¢/kWh
Estimated 500 kWh cost
$166.10
U.S. average cost
$91.20
Key metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| California average rate | 33.22 ¢/kWh |
| Estimated 500 kWh cost | $166.10 |
| U.S. average cost | $91.20 |
Compared to U.S. average
California (500 kWh)
$166.10
U.S. (500 kWh)
$91.20
Difference
+$74.90
500 kWh in California is more expensive by $74.90 compared to the U.S. average.
Compare electricity options in California
Explore savings options, plan types, and provider offers for California.
Track California electricity changes
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State cost and bill pathways for California
- Average power price in California — Residential rate benchmark used in scenario estimates
- California electricity overview — Core authority page with statewide pricing context
- Electricity cost in California — State-level cost, affordability, and value overview
- Electricity cost in Los Angeles, California — City electricity page with methodology notes where city coverage is available
- California monthly electricity bill estimate — Bill-focused context for household usage
- Electric bill estimator scenarios in California — Household profile bill scenarios with fixed monthly kWh assumptions
Historical and trend pages
- Historical electricity prices in California — Historical context and trend interpretation
- Electricity inflation in California — State electricity inflation analysis
- California electricity price volatility — Volatility and rate movement profile
Fixed-usage and calculator pathways
- 1,000 kWh cost in California — Usage-tier estimate for the same state
- Electricity cost for 1,500 kWh in California — Usage-tier estimate for the same state
- Electricity cost for 2,000 kWh in California — Usage-tier estimate for the same state
- Custom usage calculator for California — Custom kWh and scenario cost calculation
Appliance and estimator pathways
- Refrigerator cost in California — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Refrigerator calculator in California — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
- Space Heater cost in California — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Space Heater calculator in California — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
- Window Ac cost in California — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Window Ac calculator in California — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
State comparison pathways for California
- Compare California with other states — State-to-state comparison hub
- California vs Alabama electricity cost — Head-to-head comparison page
- California vs Alaska electricity cost — Head-to-head comparison page
Discovery and navigation hubs
- California electricity hub — Guide to this state's electricity rate, usage, comparison, and tool pages
- Electricity cost scenario hub — Entry point for residential and industry scenario pages
- California electricity cost overview — State-level electricity cost page with rates and typical bill context
- California average electricity bill benchmark — Typical monthly bill estimate using a standard household usage assumption
- California electricity bill estimator — Household profile bill scenarios for this state
- Electricity usage hubs — Browse cost pages by common household usage tiers
Consumer electricity drivers
- Price drivers in California — Understand what influences state electricity prices
Source & Method
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Retail Sales of Electricity. Updated: February 2026. Estimates are energy-only and exclude delivery charges, taxes, and fixed utility fees. For how rates and estimates are defined, see the methodology hub.