Cost to Run a Home Server / Homelab in California
California's average residential electricity rate is 33.3¢/kWh as of May 2026 — the 50th cheapest in the country, 81% above the U.S. average. At typical usage (24 hours/day (always on)), a home server / homelab here costs $24.30 per month.
Per hour
3.3¢
at 40–300 W
Per day
$0.80
24 hours/day (always on)
Per month
$24.30
73 kWh
Per year
$292
876 kWh
By usage level in California
| Usage | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (12 hrs/day) | $0.40 | $12.15 | $146 |
| Typical (24 hrs/day) | $0.80 | $24.30 | $292 |
| Heavy (24 hrs/day) | $1.60 | $48.59 | $583 |
California vs. the rest of the country
Monthly cost at typical usage.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a home server / homelab in California?
At California's current average residential rate of 33.3¢/kWh (May 2026), a home server / homelab with typical usage costs about $0.80 per day, $24.30 per month, or $292 per year.
Is running a home server / homelab in California more expensive than average?
Yes. California's electricity costs about 81% more than the U.S. average, so the same usage costs $24.30 per month here versus $13.42 nationally.
What does electricity cost in California right now?
California residents pay an average of 33.3¢ per kWh as of May 2026 — the 50th cheapest rate of the 51 U.S. jurisdictions we track.