Cost to Run a LED Light Bulb in California
California's average residential electricity rate is 35.3¢/kWh as of April 2026 — the 50th cheapest in the country, 88% above the U.S. average. At typical usage (5 hours/day), a led light bulb here costs $0.48 per month.
Per hour
0.3¢
at 5–15 W
Per day
1.6¢
5 hours/day
Per month
$0.48
1.4 kWh
Per year
$5.80
16 kWh
By usage level in California
| Usage | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (2.5 hrs/day) | 0.8¢ | $0.24 | $2.90 |
| Typical (5 hrs/day) | 1.6¢ | $0.48 | $5.80 |
| Heavy (10 hrs/day) | 3.2¢ | $0.97 | $11.60 |
California vs. the rest of the country
Monthly cost at typical usage.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a led light bulb in California?
At California's current average residential rate of 35.3¢/kWh (April 2026), a led light bulb with typical usage costs about 1.6¢ per day, $0.48 per month, or $5.80 per year.
Is running a led light bulb in California more expensive than average?
Yes. California's electricity costs about 88% more than the U.S. average, so the same usage costs $0.48 per month here versus $0.26 nationally.
What does electricity cost in California right now?
California residents pay an average of 35.3¢ per kWh as of April 2026 — the 50th cheapest rate of the 51 U.S. jurisdictions we track.