Average Electric Bill in California — May 2026
The average residential electric bill in California is $136/mo as of May 2026, at an average price of 33.25¢/kWh — -0.1% versus a year earlier.
California at a glance
Price history (last 12 months)
| Month | Avg residential price |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | 33.25¢/kWh |
| April 2026 | 35.25¢/kWh |
| March 2026 | 33.35¢/kWh |
| February 2026 | 33.22¢/kWh |
| January 2026 | 30.29¢/kWh |
| December 2025 | 34.71¢/kWh |
| November 2025 | 31.89¢/kWh |
| October 2025 | 33.60¢/kWh |
| September 2025 | 32.04¢/kWh |
| August 2025 | 31.65¢/kWh |
| July 2025 | 32.66¢/kWh |
| June 2025 | 33.59¢/kWh |
| May 2025 | 33.29¢/kWh |
Residential average retail price by month. Source: U.S. EIA (public domain).
Where your bill is headed
California is not in the PJM footprint, so the locked PJM capacity increases do not apply here. The only forward-looking line we can show honestly is the observed 12-month price trend — context, not a promise.
- trendIf the last 12 months' trend continues-0.04¢/kWh · ≈-$0.16/mo
Monthly impact at the state-average usage of 408 kWh/mo.
Extends the observed year-over-year residential price change (EIA) one more year. Context, not a promise - fuel and distribution costs can move either way. source · 2026-05
Not sure if your own bill jump is price, usage, or both? Our diagnostic guide walks through both checks.
Run your own numbers
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California average: $136/mo at 33.25¢/kWh (-0.1% YoY)
Your bill is 10.7% above the state average (≈451 kWh/mo at the state average price).
Where your bill is headed:
- trendIf the last 12 months' trend continues-$0.18/mo
“Locked” = PJM capacity auction prices already cleared (a floor - several utility zones cleared higher). “Trend” = the observed 12-month EIA trend extended, not a promise.
Three ways to fight it:
- Find your energy hogs. See what each appliance actually costs to run at California rates: cost-to-run guides.
- Get a home energy audit. DOE guide to professional and DIY audits.
Estimate only, based on official data as of May 2026 (U.S. EIA residential averages; PJM auction results). Your actual plan price differs.
Get the California rate alert
One email a month when the California numbers update from the EIA refresh - price, average bill and trend, sourced and dated.
Can you switch plans in California?
No. California's residential electricity market does not offer retail supplier choice, so you cannot cut the bill by switching plans. Community Choice Aggregation, not classic retail switch.
What you can do instead: cut the usage side of the bill. See what each appliance actually costs to run at California rates in our cost-to-run guides, and target the biggest loads first.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average electric bill in California?
- The average residential electric bill in California is $136/mo as of May 2026, at an average price of 33.25¢/kWh (-0.1% versus a year earlier), per official U.S. EIA data.
- Why are electric bills changing in California?
- California is not in the PJM footprint, so the locked PJM capacity increases do not apply here. The only forward-looking signal available is the observed 12-month price trend, shown on this page as context rather than a promise.
- Can I switch electricity suppliers in California?
- No. California's residential electricity market does not offer retail supplier choice. Community Choice Aggregation, not classic retail switch.
Estimate only, based on official data as of May 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, residential retail sales (public domain), refreshed monthly. Your actual plan price differs.