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Cost-per-kWh helper
Updated August 5, 2026 · reflecting the 2026 California bill structure · by Cali Energy
What’s my real cost per kWh in California? Divide your total electric bill by the kilowatt-hours you used, then multiply by 100. A $180 bill for 520 kWh is about 34.6¢/kWh all-in — usually higher than any single rate line, because it blends energy, delivery, a fixed monthly charge (about $24 on SCE; LADWP and other utilities differ), taxes and credits. Use this blended number to compare months; use your plan’s marginal rate to value solar.
✓ Just arithmetic on your own bill — total ÷ kWh — framed against how California bills are built. See what it computes ↓
Enter this month’s totals from your bill.
The all-in average includes fixed charges and taxes, so it runs higher than the marginal energy rate. Both are useful for different questions.
The rates and figures this calculator usestap to verify
There are no hidden rates here — the tool divides the two numbers you enter. Here is the formula and the one reference figure worth knowing.
| All-in average cost | ¢/kWh = total bill ÷ total kWh × 100 |
| What it blends | energy + delivery + fixed charge + taxes − credits |
| Base Services Charge (SCE, residential) | about $24/month |
| Why it matters | fixed — so a smaller bill has a higher ¢/kWh |
The all-in figure is exact arithmetic on your bill. The ~$24 Base Services Charge is a current SCE reference (set under AB 205) shown for context — confirm the fixed charge on your own statement, which varies by utility.
Example results you can reproduce
All-in cost is simply total ÷ kWh × 100. A few examples — enter the same two numbers above to reproduce them:
| Total bill | kWh used | All-in cost |
|---|---|---|
| $120 | 400 | 30.0¢/kWh |
| $180 | 520 | 34.6¢/kWh |
| $300 | 750 | 40.0¢/kWh |
How this calculator works
It divides your total charges by your total kilowatt-hours to give the real blended cost of a kWh on that bill. Because the total includes fixed charges, taxes and time-of-use pricing — not just the energy rate — this all-in figure is almost always higher than the per-kWh number printed in the rate section.
How to read your result: all-in vs marginal
There are two “costs per kWh,” and mixing them up is the most common bill mistake. The all-in average (this tool) tells you what this month’s bill worked out to per kWh — good for comparing months. The marginal rate is what one more kWh costs on your plan for the relevant time-of-use period — that’s the number to use when valuing solar or a battery, because that’s the rate solar offsets. Find it in your bill’s rate section.
What moves the result the most
At low usage the fixed Base Services Charge dominates, pushing the all-in cost up — the same ~$24 charge is a big share of a $60 bill but a small share of a $300 one. Time-of-use also matters: a bill loaded with 4–9 p.m. usage carries a higher all-in cost than the same kWh used off-peak.
Common questions
Which total should I enter?
Use the electricity total for the period — the amount that corresponds to the kWh you enter. If gas is on the same statement, don’t include it, or your cost per kWh will read too high.
Why is this higher than my rate?
Because your bill is more than energy. Delivery charges, the fixed Base Services Charge, taxes and fees all ride on top of the headline rate, so the blended average lands above it.
Which number values solar?
The marginal rate for the hours solar offsets, not the all-in average. Solar replaces specific kWh at a specific time-of-use price, so use that rate when estimating savings.
Why did my cost per kWh jump in a low month?
The fixed charge is a bigger slice of a small bill. Use less power and the fixed part doesn’t shrink, so the all-in ¢/kWh rises even though you paid less overall.
Sources
- CPUC — Electric costs & the Base Services Charge (AB 205)
- CPUC — CARE/FERA Program
- CPUC — Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) FAQ
- U.S. EIA — Electricity explained: factors affecting prices
Estimates only, not a quote. Assumptions, rates, incentives and program rules can change — confirm current details with your utility, the program administrator or a licensed professional.
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