California electric bills are double the national average.

Posted by On with Kara Swisher, Aug 10, 2026Checked Nov 2, 2026

Polygraph verdictMixed

Sources: 1 contradict3 support4 context
Said: 1 time·
Confidence: 60%

On with Kara SwisherAug 10, 2026

Electricity rates in California are roughly double the national average in several sources (about 62% to 92% higher, depending on the source and period), so the claim holds if 'electric bills' means per-kWh rates.

This claim is about the present, so it is judged as of the day it was checked.

What was said

… I mean, we have the highest poverty rate in the country right now, tied with Louisiana; highest unemployment rate of all 50 states; the highest cost of living by far; highest gas prices; electric bills have doubled in the last 10 years. They're now double the national average. Grocery is the most expensive. A lot of that is driven by energy costs. Housing, the most expensive in the country. It's just really tough to live here. This is not a new thing, Steve. This is not a new thing. It was tough to live here during Schwarzenegger. …

On with Kara Swisher · Aug 10, 2026· from the transcriptPost →

What we found

Contradicts. On monthly bills, Energy Factbook shows California's average residential bill at $234.85 versus $209.23 nationally, roughly 12% higher, not double, because California households use less electricity (789 vs 1152 kWh per month).[2]

Supports. Several sources put California's residential electricity rate at about double the national average or higher, e.g., Utility Dive says prices are 'now double the national average' and Center for Jobs reports a 12-month rate 92.6% above the rest of the US.[3][4]

Supports. Other rate comparisons put California higher but short of double: Energy Factbook shows 29.75¢ vs 18.16¢/kWh (about 64% higher) and EnergySage shows about 72% higher.[2][5]

Context. Reuters/Stanford's Mark Jacobson notes California's per-kWh prices are about double Texas's, yet Californians pay about 23% less per bill than Texans because they consume far less grid electricity.[1]

Context. Estimates vary widely by source: Electricchoice cites 89% above the national average, the California LAO (via NBC Los Angeles) says 'nearly double,' and the Monterey Herald column says rates are 'about twice the national average.' These are rate figures, not bill figures.[6][7][8]