California households pay 33.25 cents per kilowatt-hour on average, which is 80.3 percent above the national figure. That single number decides what every appliance in the house costs to run, so this page works it through for all of them.
The average residential rate in California is 33.25¢ per kWh, ranking 50 of 51 from cheapest to most expensive, among the most expensive in the country. Commercial customers pay 24.10¢. The average monthly household bill is $185.
How California compares
| Residential rate | 33.25¢/kWh |
|---|---|
| US average | 18.44¢/kWh |
| Difference | +80.3% |
| Rank, cheapest to dearest | 50 of 51 |
| West regional average | 19.65¢/kWh |
| Commercial rate | 24.10¢/kWh |
| Average monthly bill | $185 |
| Retail choice | Regulated: your utility sets the rate |
You cannot shop for supply in California
California is a regulated market. Your utility is your only option for supply, and the rate is set through a public commission process rather than by competition. Pricing tends to be more stable than in deregulated states, and there is no switching decision to make.
That makes the levers on your side of the meter the only ones available: what you run, for how long, and whether you generate any of it yourself.
What every appliance costs to run in California
All figures below are computed at the California rate of 33.25 cents. The last column shows the annual difference against the same appliance at the national average, which is where the effect of living here actually shows up.
[hed_state_appliance_costs state=”California”]What this rate means for solar in California
At 33.25 cents, California is one of the states where residential solar economics work most easily. Every kilowatt-hour a rooftop array offsets is worth 33.25 cents rather than the 18.44 cents it would be worth nationally, and payback periods shorten accordingly.
Typical peak sun hours across the West region run around 3 to 6 hours a day as an annual average, though the spread within a region can be wide. For a figure based on your actual location rather than a regional band, use the location-based solar production calculator, and the solar payback calculator for the financial side.
Questions people actually ask
[hed_faq]What is the average electricity rate in California?33.25 cents per kilowatt-hour for residential customers, which is 80.3 percent above the US average of 18.44 cents.
What is the average electric bill in California?About $185 a month. That reflects both the rate and how much electricity households here typically use, which is driven mostly by climate and heating fuel.
Can I choose my electricity provider in California?No. California is a regulated market, so your utility is the only supplier available and the rate is set through the state commission.
Why is my electricity bill higher than the California average?The state average blends every household, including small apartments. Electric heating, electric water heating, a pool pump, an older refrigerator or an EV will each push a bill well above it. The appliance table above shows what each of those costs at the California rate.[/hed_faq]