Cost to Run a Phone Charger 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 (3 hours/day), a phone charger here costs $0.18 per month.
Per hour
0.2¢
at 4–20 W
Per day
0.6¢
3 hours/day
Per month
$0.18
0.5 kWh
Per year
$2.19
6.6 kWh
By usage level in California
| Usage | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (1.5 hrs/day) | 0.3¢ | 9.1¢ | $1.09 |
| Typical (3 hrs/day) | 0.6¢ | $0.18 | $2.19 |
| Heavy (6 hrs/day) | 1.2¢ | $0.36 | $4.38 |
California vs. the rest of the country
Monthly cost at typical usage.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a phone charger in California?
At California's current average residential rate of 33.3¢/kWh (May 2026), a phone charger with typical usage costs about 0.6¢ per day, $0.18 per month, or $2.19 per year.
Is running a phone charger in California more expensive than average?
Yes. California's electricity costs about 81% more than the U.S. average, so the same usage costs $0.18 per month here versus $0.10 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.