Why California bills are average despite the high rate
California's price per kWh is among the highest in the U.S., yet the average bill is not, because California homes use far less electricity. Over Sep 2025–Aug 2026 the state averaged 32.34¢ per kWh against 18.04¢ nationally, while use averaged 507 kWh a month against 875.[eia861m] Mild coastal weather, where most Californians live, needs little heating or cooling, and many homes heat with natural gas rather than electricity.
The average hides a wide range. A coastal apartment may use a few hundred kWh a month; an inland home with central air can pass 1,000 kWh in summer, which at the state price is a bill of about $323.40. The 12-month average bill changed +5.3% from $155.70 a year earlier.[eia861m]
PG&E, SCE and SDG&E average bills
The three investor-owned utilities deliver power to most of the state. In 2024 their full-service customers paid: PG&E 39.62¢ per kWh ($198.05 a month for 500 kWh), Southern California Edison 32.43¢ ($164.02), and San Diego Gas & Electric 43.63¢ ($159.10).[eia861] Public utilities are much cheaper: the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power charged 23.84¢ ($115.63 a month) and SMUD in Sacramento 17.87¢ ($125.54).
| Utility | Service | Customers | kWh/mo | ¢/kWh | Bill/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern California Edison Co | Full service | 3,219,520 | 506 | 32.43¢ | $164.02 |
| Pacific Gas & Electric Co. | Delivery only | 3,190,681 | 388 | 25.76¢ | $99.92 |
| Pacific Gas & Electric Co. | Full service | 1,856,780 | 500 | 39.62¢ | $198.05 |
| Los Angeles Department of Water & Power | Full service | 1,410,191 | 485 | 23.84¢ | $115.63 |
| Southern California Edison Co | Delivery only | 1,374,895 | 477 | 17.90¢ | $85.41 |
| San Diego Gas & Electric Co | Delivery only | 1,056,379 | 273 | 28.12¢ | $76.81 |
| Sacramento Municipal Util Dist | Full service | 592,557 | 702 | 17.87¢ | $125.54 |
| San Diego Gas & Electric Co | Full service | 307,982 | 365 | 43.63¢ | $159.10 |
Community choice: who supplies the power
5,380,262 California homes, about 29% of those served by these providers, get their electricity supply from a community choice aggregator (CCA), a local public agency, while PG&E, SCE or SDG&E still delivers it and sends the bill. EIA counts these homes twice: once for the CCA's supply (15.06¢ per kWh in 2024) and once for the utility's delivery (23.71¢ per kWh).[eia861] Delivery alone cost 25.76¢ at PG&E, 17.90¢ at SCE and 28.12¢ at SDG&E, which is why California bills stay high whoever supplies the power.
| Provider type | Customers | kWh/mo | ¢/kWh | Bill/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investor-owned utilities, delivery only | 5,621,955 | 388 | 23.71¢ | $92.03 |
| Investor-owned utilities, full service | 5,487,784 | 498 | 35.13¢ | $174.89 |
| Community choice aggregators, supply only | 5,380,262 | 412 | 15.06¢ | $62.08 |
| Municipal utilities | 2,083,347 | 502 | 22.96¢ | $115.25 |
| Public power and irrigation districts | 930,226 | 797 | 18.24¢ | $145.38 |
| Rooftop solar third-party owners | 634,360 | 617 | 23.86¢ | $147.16 |
| Competitive suppliers, supply only (combined) | 3,947 | 525 | 16.46¢ | $86.39 |
| Electric cooperatives | 2,797 | 991 | 13.15¢ | $130.40 |
Supply-only customers of all kinds made up 39.5% of California's residential accounts in 2024.[eia861]
Average electric bill in California per month
The bill peaks in late summer: $234.85 in August 2026 at 789 kWh, against $133.23 in November 2025 at 416 kWh.[eia861m] The price per kWh moves with the season too, because California's large utilities put most homes on time-of-use plans that charge more in the evening peak.
California U.S. average
| Month | kWh | Bill | ¢/kWh | Year earlier | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 789 | $234.85 | 29.75¢ | $194.59 | +20.7% |
| July 2026 | 571 | $191.76 | 33.61¢ | $186.83 | +2.6% |
| June 2026 | 474 | $164.72 | 34.74¢ | $162.09 | +1.6% |
| May 2026 | 408 | $135.50 | 33.25¢ | $133.10 | +1.8% |
| April 2026 | 392 | $138.34 | 35.29¢ | $110.09 | +25.7% |
| March 2026 | 462 | $153.86 | 33.28¢ | $133.30 | +15.4% |
| February 2026 | 420 | $139.60 | 33.22¢ | $145.17 | −3.8% |
| January 2026 | 604 | $182.84 | 30.29¢ | $166.19 | +10.0% |
| December 2025 | 469 | $140.43 | 29.95¢ | $149.68 | −6.2% |
| November 2025 | 416 | $133.23 | 32.03¢ | $127.44 | +4.5% |
| October 2025 | 448 | $150.60 | 33.62¢ | $163.27 | −7.8% |
| September 2025 | 627 | $200.04 | 31.89¢ | $195.68 | +2.2% |
Checking your own bill
Divide your bill by its kWh to get your all-in rate and compare it with your utility's row above. On a time-of-use plan, moving dishwasher, laundry and EV charging out of the peak window printed on your bill lowers that rate; the kWh calculator shows what each appliance uses. California's rate against every other state is on electricity rates by state, the national bill ranking on average electric bill, and the gas side of the budget on average gas bill.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average electric bill in California?
$163.90 a month over Sep 2025–Aug 2026, for 507 kWh at 32.34¢ per kWh (EIA). In August 2026 it was $234.85.
What is the PG&E average bill?
$198.05 a month in 2024 for full-service customers using 500 kWh at 39.62¢ per kWh (EIA-861). Homes with a community choice supplier pay PG&E for delivery and the CCA for supply.
Why is electricity so expensive in California?
Delivery costs are high: in 2024 delivery alone averaged 23.71¢ per kWh at the three big utilities, more than the U.S. average all-in price of 18.04¢.
Is a $200 electric bill normal in California?
In summer, for a home with central air, yes (the state's August 2026 average was $234.85); for a mild month it is above the $133.23 low.