What drives electric bills in California
Residential electricity in California averaged 33.3¢ per kWh in January–July 2026, up 2.5% from 32.5¢ in the same months a year earlier (the U.S. average went up 6.9%). In July 2026, the latest month available, it was 33.6¢. The typical home here used 503 kWh a month in 2024, 42% less than the U.S. average, so a high bill usually points to the price per kWh or to one big appliance.
- Wildfire and grid costs. The cost of wildfire prevention, undergrounding lines, past wildfire damage and transmission is built into PG&E, SCE and SDG&E rates.
- Time-of-use plans. Most homes are on plans with much higher prices from 4 to 9 p.m. Using the A/C, dryer or oven in that window costs the most.
- Baseline and tiers. Each home gets a baseline amount of lower-priced power that depends on climate zone and season. Usage above it costs more.
Who supplies your power
PG&E serves northern and central California, Southern California Edison (SCE) serves much of Southern California, and SDG&E serves the San Diego area. Public utilities such as LADWP, SMUD and many city utilities have their own, usually much lower, rates.
Ways to pay less in California
- Run the dishwasher, laundry and EV charging before 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m., and pre-cool the house in the early afternoon on hot days.
- Ask your utility to check whether a different rate plan would cost less for your usage. All three big utilities have an online rate comparison tool.
For example, a 1,500 W space heater running 8 hours a day costs about $121 a month at California prices. Check what your appliances cost to run in California.
Help paying your bill in California
- CARE and FERA: income-eligible households get about 30% to 35% off their electric bill through CARE, or 18% through FERA for slightly higher incomes. Apply online with your utility.
- Medical Baseline: customers who rely on medical devices or need extra heating or cooling for a medical condition get extra power at the lowest price.
Statewide help is in addition to the federal programs, such as LIHEAP and weatherization, that the bill checker above lists. Call 211 to find the agency that handles them near you.
Is solar worth it in California?
A typical 7 kW rooftop system in California produces roughly 10,850 kWh a year, about 100% of what an average home here uses. At the state’s average price of 33.3¢, that power is worth about $3,608 a year. What you actually save depends on your roof, the price you pay for the system, the 30% federal tax credit rules in effect when you buy, and how your utility credits the power you send to the grid. Get at least three quotes before you decide.
How California compares with nearby states
| State | Price per kWh | kWh a month | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 33.3¢ | 503 | $167 |
| Nevada | 13.5¢ | 930 | $126 |
| Washington | 14.4¢ | 955 | $138 |
| Oregon | 15.4¢ | 882 | $136 |
| Arizona | 15.4¢ | 1,075 | $166 |
| U.S. average | 18.2¢ | 863 | $157 |
Price: average residential price, January–July 2026, U.S. Energy Information Administration (Electric Power Monthly, tables 5.6.A and 5.6.B). Usage: average monthly consumption per home, 2024, EIA form EIA-861. Typical bill = typical usage × current average price. Solar output is a rough estimate for a south-facing roof.