What is the average electric bill in California?

$161 a month, averaged over the 12 months to July 2026: the 20th highest of the 50 states plus D.C. (U.S.: $156). The July 2026 bill alone was $192. These are EIA averages across every home in the state, large and small.

How much does electricity cost per kWh in California?

29.75¢ per kWh for homes in August 2026, +63.8% against the U.S. average of 18.16¢. That is the 4th most expensive of the 50 states plus D.C. A year earlier it was 30.92¢.

When are electric bills highest in California?

Bills peaked in September 2025 at $202 and were lowest in November 2025 at $134. Homes use 16% more electricity in summer (June to August) than in winter, so air conditioning drives the bill.

How much does it cost to run a space heater in California?

A 1,500 W space heater costs $0.45 an hour at California's August 2026 price, or $107 a month at 8 hours a day (U.S. average: $0.27 an hour). A heater with a thermostat cycles off once the room is warm, so this is a ceiling.

California electricity: average bill, price per kWh and 12-month trend

Last updated October 21, 2026 · Prices: U.S. EIA, August 2026 · Bills: EIA-861M, to July 2026

How these numbers are made Report an error

Homes in California paid 29.75¢ per kWh in August 2026, the 4th most expensive electricity of the 50 states plus D.C. The average monthly bill over the last 12 months was $161.

Price per kWh: 29.75¢; +63.8% vs U.S. · August 2026
Average bill: $161; a month, last 12 months (U.S. $156)
1-year price change: −3.8%; since 30.92¢
Average use: 487 kWh; a month per home

What stands out in California

Both the price per kWh and the average bill are above the U.S. average. Homes here use 487 kWh a month on average, against 870 kWh nationally.
Bills peaked in September 2025 at $202 and were lowest in November 2025 at $134. Homes use 16% more electricity in summer (June to August) than in winter, so air conditioning drives the bill.
The price per kWh fell 3.8% from August 2025 to August 2026, while the U.S. average rose (+3.4%). The July 2026 bill was +2.7% on a year earlier.

Average monthly electric bill in CaliforniaResidential revenue ÷ customers, each month to July 2026. The table below has the same figures with use in kWh.

August 2025$194
September 2025$202
October 2025$152
November 2025$134
December 2025$139
January 2026$183
February 2026$140
March 2026$154
April 2026$138
May 2026$136
June 2026$165
July 2026$192

Average monthly residential electric bill and use in California, by month
Month	Average bill	Average use
August 2025*	$194.47	614 kWh
September 2025*	$202.39	632 kWh
October 2025*	$151.52	451 kWh
November 2025*	$133.56	419 kWh
December 2025*	$139.30	401 kWh
January 2026*	$182.84	604 kWh
February 2026*	$139.61	420 kWh
March 2026*	$153.88	461 kWh
April 2026*	$138.20	392 kWh
May 2026*	$135.51	408 kWh
June 2026*	$164.72	474 kWh
July 2026*	$191.76	571 kWh

Statewide averages across every home, large and small, so a small apartment will often use less. * Preliminary EIA figure, replaced by final data later.

Can you choose your electricity supplier in California?

Retail choice: available. California is one of the states EIA lists with residential retail choice. EIA found participation rose from 2% of households in 2015 to 30% in 2021, mostly through community choice aggregators run by cities and counties. Buying from a competitive supplier under Direct Access is capped by state law at roughly 28,800 GWh a year statewide.

What appliances cost to run in California

At 29.75¢ per kWh, a 1,500 W space heater costs $0.45 an hour, or $107 a month at 8 hours a day. For your own appliance, every one of these uses the California price:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average electric bill in California?: $161 a month, averaged over the 12 months to July 2026: the 20th highest of the 50 states plus D.C. (U.S.: $156). The July 2026 bill alone was $192. These are EIA averages across every home in the state, large and small.
How much does electricity cost per kWh in California?: 29.75¢ per kWh for homes in August 2026, +63.8% against the U.S. average of 18.16¢. That is the 4th most expensive of the 50 states plus D.C. A year earlier it was 30.92¢.
When are electric bills highest in California?: Bills peaked in September 2025 at $202 and were lowest in November 2025 at $134. Homes use 16% more electricity in summer (June to August) than in winter, so air conditioning drives the bill.
Can you choose your electricity provider in California?: California is one of the states EIA lists with residential retail choice. EIA found participation rose from 2% of households in 2015 to 30% in 2021, mostly through community choice aggregators run by cities and counties. Buying from a competitive supplier under Direct Access is capped by state law at roughly 28,800 GWh a year statewide.
How much does it cost to run a space heater in California?: A 1,500 W space heater costs $0.45 an hour at California's August 2026 price, or $107 a month at 8 hours a day (U.S. average: $0.27 an hour). A heater with a thermostat cycles off once the room is warm, so this is a ceiling.

More states

Sources

Prices and bills are EIA's published figures; the comparisons are computed from them.