VANTAGE VALLEY ECOYOUR HOME. YOUR NEXT CHAPTER.
Your home / Performance
Energy use and efficiency

The same habit can cost more when the price changes.

A bigger electricity bill does not automatically mean you used more electricity. Start by separating price from usage.

How it works

EIA reports a California residential average of 29.51 cents per kWh for 2023 as a whole and 34.74 cents for June 2026. The difference is about 17.7%. These annual and monthly reference points are not a measure of the full year 2026. PG&E separately reports recent reductions, so check your own plan.

APS R-1 medium tier (averaging 601 through 999 kWh a month): energy charge 14.052 cents per kWh, in effect since March 8, 2024 (Source: APS Rate Schedule R-1, Decision No. 79293, effective Mar 8, 2024). Effective August 2017, R-Basic (now the R-1 medium tier) was 12.393 cents per kWh (Source: APS Rate Schedule R-Basic, Decision No. 76295, effective Aug 19, 2017). Published energy price only, not the full bill. APS has a rate case pending, so check the plan on your bill (Source: ACC, Docket E-01345A-25-0105, Feb 19, 2026).

A more useful comparison

What you usedKilowatt hours measure the electricity consumed.
What you paidYour tariff, usage timing and other charges determine the bill. A statewide monthly average is not your utility rate.

Put the decision back in your hands.

Compare both usage and charges. Then explore the home itself, including comfort, equipment and the work that may reduce unnecessary demand.

EIA: June 2026 monthly residential averages
EIA: 2023 annual residential average
Source checked September 22, 2026. General education; your home needs its own assessment.

APS Rate Schedule R-1, Decision No. 79293, took effect March 8, 2024. APS Rate Schedule R-Basic (now the R-1 medium tier), Decision No. 76295, effective August 2017. ACC Docket E-01345A-25-0105. Date checked: September 24, 2026.

Explore another chapter →
California electricity · 2023 to 2026

Same amount of electricity.
A different price.

Compare the 2023 annual average with the June 2026, Aug 26 release. The periods differ: this shows two reference points, not a full year 2026 increase.

29.51¢2023 annual average per kWh
34.74¢June 2026, Aug 26 release per kWh
+17.7%Difference between these reference points
At the 2023 annual average$177.06
At the June 2026, Aug 26 release$208.44
Difference$31.38

Illustrative comparison: usage × each published average price. This is not a bill estimate, a PG&E tariff or a savings forecast. These averages reflect revenue divided by electricity sold, including the mix of customer charges.

Compare three major California utilities.

SDG&E and PG&E are June 2026 residential averages. Southern California Edison is the October 1, 2026 average residential rate. Highest first within this group. These are not a statewide top three ranking or a list of providers you can freely switch between.

Same usage, different published utility averages
UtilityPublished averageAt your selected usage
SDG&E 45.5¢ / kWh $273.00
Southern California Edison 34.5¢ / kWh $207.00
PG&E 33.7¢ / kWh $202.20

Source: SDG&E and PG&E, Public Advocates Office Q2 2026 report, page 8. Averages exclude the California Climate Credit. Southern California Edison: SCE Rates Advisory (Oct 1 average residential). Multiplication illustrates the averages, not a tariff calculation. These utility averages use a different basis from EIA’s statewide figures above.

Read the SDG&E and PG&E source → SCE Rates Advisory (Oct 1 average residential) →
What if my provider is different?

California also has municipal utilities and community choice providers. Your address determines the applicable service territory. Check your bill for both delivery and generation providers. A utility name alone does not establish a rate plan or solar program eligibility.

Find California utility and community choice comparisons →

This tool does not yet calculate LADWP, SMUD, other municipal utilities, community choice plans or individual tariffs. VVE professional availability is confirmed separately from education coverage.

2023 source: EIA annual Table 2.10. 2023 is an annual average; June 2026 is a preliminary monthly average. Seasonality and customer mix can affect the comparison. Nominal prices, not adjusted for inflation. Not today’s tariff. Source: EIA, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A. Released August 26, 2026. Checked September 22, 2026. Next EIA release scheduled September 24, 2026.

Arizona electricity · 2017 to 2026

Same amount of electricity.
2017 to 2026, one utility at a time.

Pick APS or SRP. Each shows one published energy price for one plan, from 2017 to 2026. APS prices are set by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). SRP prices are set by the SRP Board of Directors. APS and SRP numbers include different charges and should not be compared with each other.

APS: R-1 Fixed Energy Charge Plan, medium tier

Published price for households averaging 601 to 999 kWh a month. Prices set by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC).

12.393¢per kWh, effective August 2017 (Decision No. 76295)
14.052¢per kWh, 2026 rate (in effect since 2024) (Decision No. 79293)
+13.4%Change in this one published energy price (APS R-1 medium tier), not a change in a whole bill

Effective August 2017; most residential customers moved onto the new 2017 rate plans from February to May 2018.

At 12.393¢, effective August 2017$111.54Energy charge only, not a bill
At 14.052¢, 2026 rate (in effect since 2024)$126.47Energy charge only, not a bill
Difference$14.93Energy charge only, not a bill

In between, the December 2021 tariff sheet set 12.282¢ per kWh for the same tier (Decision No. 78317).

The tariff sheet (Rate Schedule R-1, A.C.C. No. 6148, Revision No. 1) prints an effective date of Mar 8, 2024.

Real APS bills also include a daily Basic Service Charge, adjustor charges (such as the Power Supply Adjustment), and taxes, which are not shown.

Households averaging 600 kWh or less, or 1,000 kWh or more, are billed at a different tier price.

APS has a rate case pending at the ACC (Docket E-01345A-25-0105). Nothing from it is used here.

Illustrative comparison: your kWh × each published price. Energy charge only, not a bill. Nominal prices, not adjusted for inflation.

SRP: E-23 Basic Price Plan, winter price

Published price for winter bills (November to April billing cycles). Prices set by the SRP Board of Directors.

8.03¢per kWh, 2017 winter price
10.97¢per kWh, 2026 winter price
+36.6%Change in this one published energy price (SRP E-23 winter price), not a change in a whole bill

In effect from the November 2017 billing cycle; January to October 2017 bills carried a temporary lower price.

Current as of the January 2026 billing cycle.

At 8.03¢, 2017 winter price$72.27Energy charge only, not a bill
At 10.97¢, 2026 winter price$98.73Energy charge only, not a bill
Difference$26.46Energy charge only, not a bill

SRP's price includes its fuel and purchased power adjustment. Summer prices are higher.

Real SRP bills also include a monthly service charge and taxes, which are not shown.

Illustrative comparison: your kWh × each published price. Energy charge only, not a bill. Nominal prices, not adjusted for inflation.

APS and SRP numbers include different charges and should not be compared with each other. Checked September 24, 2026.