What do California utilities charge before you use any power?
6 California utilities, 81 plans, 85% of homes covered. The middle utility bills $18.00 monthly, $216 over twelve months, whatever the meter reads. At 32.54 cents a kWh that buys 55 kWh, about 10% of a 538 kWh bill. Rank 14 of 24, $0.50 under the $18.50 all-state figure.
California: fixed charge by utility
| Pacific Gas & Electric Co. | investor-owned | 5,047,461 | 44 | $24.13 | $1.50 to $24.13 | 2026-04-14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern California Edison Co | investor-owned | 4,594,415 | 25 | $0.94 | $0.94 to $26.95 | 2024-08-29 |
| Los Angeles Department of Water & Power | municipal | 1,410,191 | 9 | $7.90 | $2.30 to $25.00 | 2025-10-20 |
| San Diego Gas & Electric Co | investor-owned | 1,364,361 | 1 | $16.00 | $16.00 | 2025-05-21 |
| City of Riverside | municipal | 100,450 | 1 | $20.00 | $20.00 | 2024-07-24 |
| City of Glendale | municipal | 77,563 | 1 | $22.81 | $22.81 | 2026-01-05 |
California utility medians
$24.13 at the top against $0.94 at the bottom: 25.7 to 1. Pacific Gas & Electric Co., the biggest at 5,047,461 homes, bills $24.13, $6.13 over the state median. Weighted by homes: $16.00 (-$2.00). Southern California Edison Co alone spans $0.94 to $26.95 over 25 plans.
What $18.00 a month means in California
$18.00 at 32.54 cents is 55 kWh, 10% of a typical 538 kWh month.
Per kWh: 3.3 cents at 538 kWh, 6.7 cents at 269 kWh.
Where California sits among states
Virginia is 12th at $18.79, $0.79 over California. Nevada is 13th at $18.50, $0.50 over California. Ohio is 15th at $16.49, $1.51 under California. Missouri is 16th at $16.31, $1.69 under California.
California beside 3 neighbors
Check your California utility
- Pick your California utility.
More
Nearest medians: Nevada $18.50, Virginia $18.79, Florida $18.88, Ohio $16.49
Sources
California plan edits run 2024-07-24 to 2026-04-14; hub page: file dates and checksums.
Questions
How much is the fixed charge for California electricity customers?
$18.00 a month at the median of 6 utilities ($0.94 to $24.13); $16.00 when weighted by homes.
Which California utility has the highest fixed charge?
Pacific Gas & Electric Co., with a median of $24.13 a month across 44 plans.
Can I avoid the fixed charge in California?
Not by using less: the cheapest California plan read lists $0.94 and the dearest $26.95, each billed at zero use.
How recent is this California data?
California plan edits date from 2024-07-24 to 2026-04-14; a rate case can move a charge after that, so read your own tariff.