Cost of Electricity in California: Go Solar with EcoFlow to Beat the Rates
California residents pay some of the highest electricity rates in the United States, which can significantly strain family budgets. And they’re likely not stopping where they’re at— electricity rates continue to climb with no relief in sight from grid electricity providers.
Thankfully, California has ready access to the renewable resource of sunshine, allowing homeowners to switch to solar power to beat current grid rates and create their own clean, green, and environmentally friendly electricity.
Learn more about the average electricity bill in California and what impacts the total you pay each month, plus tips on calculating your household’s average. Then, see how you can save money long-term by investing in your own solar equipment.
What Is The Average Electricity Bill in California
California has a high cost of living, and that includes electric bills. Only two states in the U.S. pay more per kilowatt-hour of electricity—Connecticut and Hawaii. However, because Californians tend to use less electricity than other areas, their average monthly electric bill is brought down closer to the national average.
The average electricity bill for California in January 2025 was $148.38, with monthly usage of around 491 kWh.
This average can change drastically for households of different sizes and located in other areas. Some factors contributing to California's high energy rates include infrastructure upgrades that enhance safety and extensive wildfire mitigation and prevention strategies.
You might wonder why Californians use less electricity than some states, which helps balance their monthly bill totals. California has taken significant measures to reach its 100% renewable energy goals by 2045—the state has already invested in solar, wind, and battery storage technology.
While these average electricity bills may seem high for some, there are still strategies that can help reduce the total cost, potentially by as much as 75%.
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What Factors Influence The Average Electricity Bill in California
Several factors come into play when determining your electricity bill in California.
Size of Home
One of the most significant influencing factors is the size of the home. The larger the house, the more energy must be used for the HVAC system, the more lights there will be, and, likely, the more people there will be in the home using energy.
Location
The location also matters. Certain rural areas may have higher electricity rates than big cities because more infrastructure is required to get electricity to the rural areas. Other factors may include the topography of your local area, proximity to wildfires, etc.
Energy Tariff and Rate
The energy tariff or rate determines how much you pay per kilowatt-hour of electricity. Rates may vary depending on the time of day or location. This is the primary determining factor because you cannot adjust this as a consumer.
Time of Year/Weather
Energy bills may become more expensive during the extreme summer and winter seasons. HVAC systems work harder to keep homes cool during hot summers, just as they must work to keep homes warm when temperatures drop in the winter.
Lifestyle Preferences
Those who prefer to live in a very cool home with a low AC temperature all year round will face higher electricity prices, just as those who keep all their lights on 24/7 will pay more for it. These lifestyle preferences may seem small (just one degree cooler or a couple of lights left on), but they add up.
House Age and Insulation
Older homes may not have sufficient insulation and may not be as efficient in cooling or heating, requiring more energy to keep the house at the same temperature as a newer home.
Energy Source: Grid vs. Solar
Your energy source is also a significant factor, as different energy sources have different associated costs. Grid power has predetermined rates based on your location and time of day. In contrast, solar power via a home solar generator provides an opportunity to utilize free energy once the system is installed at your home. If your solar-powered home is not connected to the grid and runs entirely on renewable energy, you may not even have an electricity bill.
The key to unlocking free electricity month after month is investing in a solar generator system that can produce as much energy as you regularly consume. The EcoFlow DELTA Series Solar Generators offer a range of outputs and capacities to meet various energy consumption levels, from minimal to robust. The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus + 220W is an excellent option for larger households with an expandable capacity of up to 5kWh.
How to Calculate the Average Electricity Bill in California
The best way to calculate your average electricity bill in California is to gather your monthly bills and add the total amount due over the year. Then, divide that number by 12 to see what you pay each month on average.
The formula is:
Total paid for the year in electricity costs/12 = average monthly electric bill.
If you don’t have access to your monthly bills, you can use generalized averages to estimate how much your home likely uses.
For example, the average home has 2.5 people living in it, and we know that the average California monthly electricity bill is $148.38. If we divide that by 2.5 to see the monthly electricity cost per person, we get $59.35 per person.
From there, we can multiply this per-person rate by the number of people that live in your home. Let’s say four people live in your home. That would mean your average bill is likely around $237.41.
How to Save on Electricity in California
You’re not bound to pay your full current California electricity bill forever—there are ways to save long-term with intentional equipment investments and lifestyle changes.
For example, start turning off lights and unplugging devices and appliances when not in use. If you’re consistent, these small habits will reduce your energy use and, thus, your monthly bills.
Another strategy is leveraging EcoFlow Portable Power Stations to store energy during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower. This allows you to substitute grid energy for your stored power when rates become more expensive. The EcoFlow DELTA Series Portable Power Stations can help you save immediately. Simply connect it to your home’s AC power overnight or during other off-peak periods and let it charge fully, remembering to disconnect it before peak hours begin.
You could also fill up your portable power station using solar power and capture energy for free. For example, with the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus, you can store up to 1024 kWh of energy via solar panels when rates are high.
Solar power, in general, is also a savvy long-term choice. Solar panels help you save on electricity by capturing energy from the sun for free, and with a battery for storage, you can hold onto that power and use it whenever grid power is most expensive, helping to offset costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Electricity Does the Average Family in California Use?
The average California household uses around 491-571 kWh of electricity per month, depending on the number of people in the household, the size of the house, and its location. The average utility rate is 30.22 cents per kilowatt hour.
Final Thoughts
California’s energy prices are among some of the highest in the country. However, there are still ways to reduce this recurring monthly cost with thoughtful renewable energy investments and lifestyle changes. From updating your home’s insulation and remembering to turn off lights/unplug appliances to switching to EcoFlow DELTA Series Solar Generators to provide a significant portion of your home’s energy consumption, all it takes is strategic thinking and a willingness to change to manage your California electricity costs.