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ElectricityRatePerKWh

Electricity Rate in California (2026): 33.25c/kWh Average

The EIA residential electricity price in California is 33.25 cents per kWh as of May 2026, 14.81c above the US average of 18.44c/kWh. The California commercial rate is 24.10c/kWh and the industrial rate is 20.20c/kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A).

Residential Rate
33.25¢
per kWh
vs US Avg
+80%
14.81c above
Avg Monthly Bill
$151
464 kWh
Provider Choice
No
Regulated monopoly

California Electricity Rate: What You Need to Know

California electricity averages 33.25 cents per kWh for residential customers as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly. This is 14.81c above the US average of 18.44c/kWh. The average monthly bill for California households is $151 based on typical usage of 464 kWh.

California electricity rates are the highest on the mainland US at 33.25c/kWh (May 2026) due to three structural factors: (1) California's three investor-owned utilities (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E) operate as regulated monopolies under CPUC oversight, with rate-base recovery for massive wildfire-mitigation investments running into the billions annually. PG&E alone is spending $20B+ over 5 years on grid hardening and undergrounding. (2) California's Renewables Portfolio Standard mandates 60% renewable electricity by 2030, driving investment in solar, wind, and storage infrastructure that gets passed through to customers. (3) The CAISO grid's capacity payments and the cost of integrating variable renewables adds complexity. Since 2024, new residential customers default to TOU (Time-of-Use) rate plans, where rates spike to $0.45-$0.65/kWh during peak 4-9pm hours but fall to $0.20-$0.25/kWh overnight. California bills average $151/month despite relatively low 464 kWh usage because the high per-kWh cost more than offsets the low consumption.

Generation mix: Renewables 45%, natural gas 35%, nuclear 10%, imports 10%. The fuel mix is a primary driver of electricity rates - states with abundant hydro or nuclear tend to have lower rates, while states dependent on imported petroleum (Hawaii) or natural gas pay more.

Year-over-year change: California rates fell 0.1% year-over-year as of May 2026. This compares to the US average increase of 6.2% over the same period.

Regulated: You Cannot Switch Electricity Suppliers

PG&E / SCE / SDG&E operates as the regulated utility in California. Retail electricity choice is not available for residential customers. Options for reducing your bill include: time-of-use rate optimization, energy efficiency upgrades, and rooftop solar.

Your California Electricity Bill Components

Energy charge (464 kWh x 33.25c)$154.28
Fixed customer charge (estimated)~$10.00
Estimated monthly total$164.28
California Rate by Sector - May 2026
Residential (US 18.44c)33.25c
Commercial (US 13.54c)24.10c
Industrial (US 8.71c)20.20c
Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A.
Dominant Utility
PG&E / SCE / SDG&E
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Adjacent States
Oregon16.27c
Nevada13.60c
Arizona15.23c
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California Electricity: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the electricity rate in California in 2026?+
The average residential electricity rate in California is 33.25 cents per kWh as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly. This is 14.81c above the US average of 18.44c/kWh (+80%). The average monthly electricity bill in California is approximately $151 based on 464 kWh typical monthly usage.
What is the commercial electricity rate in California?+
The average commercial electricity rate in California is 24.10 cents per kWh as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly (Table 5.6.A). That compares with the US commercial average of 13.54c/kWh. Commercial rates apply to businesses, offices, schools, and retail. They are usually lower per kWh than residential rates, but a commercial bill can still be much larger because of higher volume and demand charges.
What is the industrial electricity rate in California?+
The average industrial electricity rate in California is 20.20 cents per kWh as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly (Table 5.6.A), versus a US industrial average of 8.71c/kWh. Industrial customers such as factories, manufacturers, and large facilities pay the lowest per-kWh price of the three EIA sectors because they buy power at high volume, often at higher voltage, under demand-based rate structures.
Can I switch electricity providers in California?+
No - California operates a regulated electricity market. PG&E / SCE / SDG&E serves as the regulated monopoly utility. Customers cannot switch electricity generation suppliers. Options for reducing bills include time-of-use rate optimization (where available), energy efficiency upgrades, and solar installation.
What is the average monthly electricity bill in California?+
The average California household uses approximately 464 kWh per month. At 33.25c/kWh plus approximately $10 in fixed charges, the average monthly bill is $151. This varies by season (higher in summer for cooling-dominant states like Florida, higher in winter for heating-dominant states).
What is the primary electricity source in California?+
California's generation mix is primarily Renewables 45%, natural gas 35%, nuclear 10%, imports 10%. This fuel mix is a key factor in the state's electricity rate - states relying on hydro or nuclear typically have lower rates, while states heavily dependent on natural gas or petroleum (like Hawaii) face higher costs.
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