Is Electricity Expensive in California?

How California's rate compares

California's average residential electricity rate is 31.14¢/kWh, which is above the national average. The rate tier classification for California is "High".

Affordability Index

With an Affordability Index of 34/100, California falls in the "Expensive" category. States scoring 80+ are considered very affordable; states below 20 are very expensive.

What drives the price?

Electricity prices vary by state due to fuel mix, generation infrastructure, regulatory environment, and seasonal demand. California's rate reflects these regional factors as reported by the source data.

Monthly cost impact

• At 500 kWh/month: ~$155.70 (energy only)
• At 1,000 kWh/month: ~$311.40 (energy only)
• At 1,500 kWh/month: ~$467.10 (energy only)

Data freshness

This data was Updated 36 days ago. Freshness status: fresh.