Electricity cost in California
Short answer: Homes in California pay an average of 33.61¢ per kWh for electricity (July 2026). That is 84% above the U.S. average of 18.31¢ and ranks number 2 of 51, where 1 is the most expensive. The average home here uses 503 kWh a month, which costs about $169.06 at that price.
California electricity cost calculator
Start typing an appliance and pick it from the list, or describe it in a sentence. You can skip this and fill in the boxes yourself.
The calculator starts with a 1,500-watt space heater and the California average price. Change the wattage and hours for your own appliance.
Uses 360.0 kWh per month. The starting price is the California average; choose your state or type the price from your own bill.
My list
Add each appliance you use to estimate this part of your bill. The list is kept only in this browser.
| Appliance | Usage | Per month | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | |||
| Per year |
California at a glance
California has 14,217,180 residential electricity customers. In 2024 the average home used 503 kWh a month, 42% less than the U.S. average of 863 kWh and the 2nd lowest in the country. The average monthly bill was $160.86, the 8th highest, against a national average of $142.26.
A high price per kWh but low use: homes here pay more for each unit of electricity and get by on fewer of them. The result is an average bill 13% above the national average.
What appliances cost to run in California
Typical wattage and use for each appliance, at the California average price of 33.61¢ per kWh, next to the same use at the U.S. average. Follow a link for the appliance's own calculator.
| Appliance | Typical use | Per month in California | Per month, U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric furnace | 6 hours a day, 30 days a month | $907.47 | $494.37 |
| Central air conditioner | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $282.32 | $153.80 |
| Heat pump | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $241.99 | $131.83 |
| Electric water heater | 3 hours a day, 30 days a month | $136.12 | $74.16 |
| Space heater | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $121.00 | $65.92 |
| Pool pump | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $121.00 | $65.92 |
| Baseboard heater | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $121.00 | $65.92 |
| Electric car charger | 1.5 hours a day, 30 days a month | $108.90 | $59.32 |
| Portable air conditioner | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $96.80 | $52.73 |
| Window air conditioner | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $72.60 | $39.55 |
| Dehumidifier | 12 hours a day, 30 days a month | $60.50 | $32.96 |
| Hot tub | 4 hours a day, 30 days a month | $60.50 | $32.96 |
| Electric fireplace | 4 hours a day, 30 days a month | $60.50 | $32.96 |
| Clothes dryer | 60 minutes per use, 5 times a week | $21.85 | $11.90 |
| Gaming PC | 4 hours a day, 30 days a month | $16.13 | $8.79 |
| Electric stove | 45 minutes per use, 7 times a week | $15.29 | $8.33 |
| Electric oven | 60 minutes per use, 4 times a week | $13.40 | $7.30 |
| Air purifier | 24 hours a day, 30 days a month | $12.10 | $6.59 |
| Refrigerator | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $12.10 | $6.59 |
| Desktop computer | 6 hours a day, 30 days a month | $9.07 | $4.94 |
| Dishwasher | 120 minutes per use, 5 times a week | $8.74 | $4.76 |
| Chest freezer | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $8.07 | $4.39 |
| Electric blanket | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $8.07 | $4.39 |
| Mini fridge | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $6.45 | $3.52 |
| Ceiling fan | 12 hours a day, 30 days a month | $6.05 | $3.30 |
| Game console | 3 hours a day, 30 days a month | $6.05 | $3.30 |
| Box fan | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | $6.05 | $3.30 |
| TV | 5 hours a day, 30 days a month | $5.04 | $2.75 |
| Humidifier | 10 hours a day, 30 days a month | $4.03 | $2.20 |
| Air fryer | 20 minutes per use, 5 times a week | $3.64 | $1.98 |
| Laptop | 6 hours a day, 30 days a month | $3.63 | $1.98 |
| Slow cooker | 360 minutes per use, 2 times a week | $3.50 | $1.90 |
| Electric pressure cooker | 45 minutes per use, 3 times a week | $3.28 | $1.79 |
| Electric kettle | 4 minutes per use, 21 times a week | $3.06 | $1.67 |
| Hair dryer | 10 minutes per use, 7 times a week | $3.06 | $1.67 |
| Washing machine | 45 minutes per use, 5 times a week | $2.73 | $1.49 |
| Microwave | 5 minutes per use, 14 times a week | $2.55 | $1.39 |
| Wi-Fi router | 24 hours a day, 30 days a month | $2.42 | $1.32 |
| String of Christmas lights | 6 hours a day, 30 days a month | $2.42 | $1.32 |
| Toaster oven | 20 minutes per use, 4 times a week | $2.33 | $1.27 |
| Coffee maker | 10 minutes per use, 7 times a week | $1.70 | $0.93 |
| Rice cooker | 30 minutes per use, 4 times a week | $1.46 | $0.79 |
| Vacuum cleaner | 30 minutes per use, 2 times a week | $1.46 | $0.79 |
| Clothes iron | 20 minutes per use, 2 times a week | $1.17 | $0.63 |
| LED light bulb | 5 hours a day, 30 days a month | $0.50 | $0.27 |
| Toaster | 3 minutes per use, 7 times a week | $0.46 | $0.25 |
What a monthly bill looks like
The table shows what different amounts of electricity cost at the latest California price. Fixed monthly charges are already included in the average price, so a real bill for a small user is usually a little higher than shown and a large user's a little lower.
| Monthly use | Roughly | In California | At the U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 503 kWh | The average home in California (2024) | $169.06 | $92.10 |
| 863 kWh | The average U.S. home (2024) | $290.05 | $158.02 |
| 1,500 kWh | A large or all-electric home | $504.15 | $274.65 |
| 2,000 kWh | An all-electric home in its peak month | $672.20 | $366.20 |
Where the electricity in California comes from
The largest source of the electricity generated in California in 2024 was natural gas, according to the Energy Information Administration's state profile. Gas-fired plants respond quickly to demand, and in much of the country the price of natural gas largely sets the wholesale price of electricity. When gas is cheap, bills tend to ease; when it spikes, electricity follows within months.
Power plants here generated 214.2 million MWh in 2024, less than the 245.7 million MWh sold to customers, so part of the electricity used is brought in from neighboring states.
How the climate shapes bills
The climate is milder than in most of the country, so many homes use less electricity for heating and cooling than the national average. Heat waves and cold snaps still push bills up for a few weeks a year.
That is why the same price per kWh can produce very different bills in two homes: the price tells you what each kWh costs, and the weather and your heating and cooling equipment decide how many you use. To see the effect of one appliance, compare a window air conditioner, a space heater and a heat pump in the table above.
Can you choose your electricity supplier?
Only in a limited way. Many California households are served by a community choice aggregator, a local public agency that buys the electricity while the utility delivers it and sends the bill; you can usually opt out and return to the utility's own supply. Beyond that, households cannot shop among competing suppliers. Prices also differ a great deal between utilities and rate plans, so check the price per kWh on your own bill and type it into the calculator.
California compared with nearby states
Average residential prices for July 2026, with the rank among the 50 states and D.C. and the cost of 900 kWh. The full table covers every state, and our guide explains why prices differ so much between states.
| State | Price per kWh | Rank | Cost of 900 kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 33.61¢ | 2 | $302.49 |
| Oregon | 15.97¢ | 29 | $143.73 |
| Nevada | 12.77¢ | 50 | $114.93 |
| Arizona | 15.38¢ | 33 | $138.42 |
| Washington | 14.71¢ | 39 | $132.39 |
| U.S. average | 18.31¢ | – | $164.79 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average electricity rate in California?
The average residential price in California was 33.61 cents per kWh in July 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That is 84% above the U.S. average of 18.31 cents and ranks number 2 of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.), where 1 is the most expensive.
How much is the average electric bill in California?
The average home in California used 503 kWh a month in 2024 and paid $160.86, according to the EIA; the U.S. average was 863 kWh and $142.26. At the latest price of 33.61 cents per kWh, 503 kWh costs $169.06.
How much electricity does a home in California use?
503 kWh a month on average in 2024, which is 42% less than the U.S. average of 863 kWh and the 2nd lowest of the 50 states and D.C.
What uses the most electricity in a home in California?
With modest heating and cooling needs, the everyday appliances matter more: the refrigerator, water heating, the clothes dryer, lighting and electronics. An electric vehicle, if you have one, is often the largest single use.
How do I find my exact price per kWh?
Take the total amount due on your electric bill and divide it by the kWh used that month. That gives the price you actually paid, including delivery charges and fees. Type it into the price box of the calculator instead of the state average.
Sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: Average monthly residential bill by state, 2024
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: State Electricity Profiles, 2024
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: Residential retail electric choice
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly (state electricity prices)
Electricity prices are the EIA figures for July 2026. Wattages are typical values; check the label on your own appliance.