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Electricity cost in California
Average residential electricity price in California, August 2026 · −3.8% year on year · rank #48 of 51 (cheapest = 1)
Monthly bill by usage
| Usage | California | US average |
|---|---|---|
| 300 kWh | $89.25 | $54.48 |
| 500 kWh | $148.75 | $90.80 |
| 750 kWh | $223.12 | $136.20 |
| 900 kWh | $267.75 | $163.44 |
| 1,000 kWh | $297.50 | $181.60 |
| 1,200 kWh | $357.00 | $217.92 |
| 1,500 kWh | $446.25 | $272.40 |
| 2,000 kWh | $595.00 | $363.20 |
Energy charge only, at the average all-in price per kWh; your utility's fixed monthly fee and tiered or time-of-use rates will change the total.
Cost to run appliances in California
| Appliance | Typical use | Per hour | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space Heater | 1,500 W × 6 h | $0.45 | $81.40 |
| Window Air Conditioner | 900 W × 8 h | $0.27 | $65.12 |
| Central Air Conditioner | 3,500 W × 8 h | $1.04 | $253.23 |
| Refrigerator | 150 W × 24 h | $0.04 | $32.56 |
| Chest Freezer | 80 W × 24 h | $0.02 | $17.36 |
| TV | 100 W × 5 h | $0.03 | $4.52 |
| Gaming PC | 400 W × 4 h | $0.12 | $14.47 |
| Laptop | 50 W × 8 h | $0.01 | $3.62 |
| Game Console | 180 W × 3 h | $0.05 | $4.88 |
| Clothes Dryer | 3,000 W × 1 h | $0.89 | $27.13 |
| Washing Machine | 500 W × 1 h | $0.15 | $4.52 |
| Dishwasher | 1,500 W × 1.5 h | $0.45 | $20.35 |
| Electric Oven | 2,400 W × 1 h | $0.71 | $21.71 |
| Microwave | 1,100 W × 0.3 h | $0.33 | $2.98 |
| Electric Kettle | 1,500 W × 0.25 h | $0.45 | $3.39 |
| Hair Dryer | 1,800 W × 0.25 h | $0.54 | $4.07 |
| LED Light Bulb | 9 W × 5 h | $0.00 | $0.41 |
| Ceiling Fan | 50 W × 8 h | $0.01 | $3.62 |
| Dehumidifier | 450 W × 10 h | $0.13 | $40.70 |
| Hot Tub | 1,500 W × 6 h | $0.45 | $81.40 |
| Pool Pump | 1,500 W × 8 h | $0.45 | $108.53 |
| Electric Water Heater | 4,000 W × 3 h | $1.19 | $108.53 |
| EV Charger (Level 2) | 7,200 W × 2 h | $2.14 | $130.23 |
| Wi-Fi Router | 10 W × 24 h | $0.00 | $2.17 |
| Electric Blanket | 100 W × 8 h | $0.03 | $7.24 |
Nearby in the price ranking
- Rhode Island – 28.18¢/kWh
- New York – 28.65¢/kWh
- Alaska – 29.41¢/kWh
- Massachusetts – 30.48¢/kWh
- Maine – 32.11¢/kWh
- Hawaii – 47.18¢/kWh
FAQ
How much is electricity in California?
The average residential price in California was 29.75¢ per kWh in August 2026, down 3.8% from 30.92¢ a year earlier (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (residential, August 2026 preliminary; released October 23, 2026)).
What is the average electric bill in California?
At 900 kWh a month (close to the US household average) a California bill is about $267.75 before fixed charges, versus $163.44 at the US average price.
Is electricity expensive in California?
California ranks #48 of 51 (1 = cheapest) and is 64% above the US average of 18.16¢/kWh.
Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (residential, August 2026 preliminary; released October 23, 2026).
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