Web Version [link removed] | Update Preferences [link removed] [link removed] California Energy Price Data
for March 2021
Below are the monthly updates from the most current March 2021 fuel price data (GasBuddy.com) and January 2021 electricity and natural gas price data (US Energy Information Administration). To view additional data and analysis related to the California economy visit our website at [[link removed]].
Even during the current economic downturn, energy prices continued to rise due to state policies, putting additional pressure on total housing costs and adding to California’s highest-in-the-nation cost adjusted poverty rate. Fuel prices showed the largest rise as reduced storage met with rising gasoline demand. Due to state regulations that isolate California as a fuel market island, price rises were somewhat higher in the state.
California vs. US Fuel Price Gap at 39% Premium $1.09 Price Per Gallon
Above US Average
(CA Average)
The March average price per gallon of regular gasoline in California rose 29 cents from February to $3.86. The California premium above the average for the US other than California ($2.78) rose to $1.085, a 39.0% difference.
1st Ranked By Price
In March, California again had the highest gasoline price among the states and DC. Californians paid $1.30 a gallon more than consumers in Mississippi, the state with the lowest price.
California vs. US Diesel Price $0.99 Price Per Gallon
Above US Average
The March average price per gallon of diesel in California rose 27 cents from February to $4.01. The California premium above the average for the US other than California ($3.02) rose to 99.1 cents, a 32.9% difference.
2nd Ranked by Price
In March, California again had the 2nd highest diesel price among the states and DC, behind only Hawaii.
Range Between Highest and Lowest Prices by Region $1.15 Price per Gallon
Above US Average
(Central Sierra Region)
The cost premium above the US (other than California) average price for regular gasoline ranged from $0.97 in the Central Valley Region (average March price of $3.75), to $1.15 in Central Sierra Region (average March price of $3.93).
Highest/Lowest Fuel Prices by Legislative District: California Residential Electricity Price 62.8% Above Average for
Rest of US
California average Residential Price for the 12 months ended January 2021 was 20.63 cents/kWh, 62.8% higher than the US average of 12.67 cents/kWh for all states other than California. California's residential prices remained the 6th highest in the nation.
California Residential Electric Bill 42.0% Growth Since 2010
For the 12 months ended January 2021, the average annual Residential electricity bill in California was $1,411, or 42.0% higher ($417) than the comparable bill in 2010 (the year the AB 32 implementation began with the Early Action items). In this same period, the average US (less CA) electricity bill for all the other states grew only 3.9% ($53).
Residential bills, however, vary widely by region, with the estimated annual household usage in 2018 as much as 59% higher in the interior regions compared to the milder climate coastal areas.
$7.5b Premium Above
US Average Price
For the 12 months ended January 2021, California's higher electricity prices translated into Residential ratepayers paying $7.5 billion more than the average ratepayers elsewhere in the US using the same amount of energy.
California Commercial Electricity Price 77.9% Above Average for
Rest of US
California average Commercial Price for the 12 months ended January 2021 was 17.83 cents/kWh, 77.9% higher than the US average of 10.02 cents/kWh for all states other than California. California's commercial prices remained the 3rd highest in the nation and the highest among the contiguous states.
California Industrial Electricity Price 132.5% Above Average for
Rest of US
California average Industrial Price for the 12 months ended January 2021 was 14.51 cents/kWh, 132.5% higher than the US average of 6.24 cents/kWh for all states other than California. California's industrial prices were the 4th highest in the nation. Among the contiguous states, only Rhode Island was higher.
$12.0b Premium Above
US Average Price
For the 12 months ended January 2021, California's higher electricity prices translated into Commercial & Industrial ratepayers paying $12.0 billion more than ratepayers elsewhere in the US using the same amount of energy.
California Natural Gas Prices
Average prices ($ per thousand cubic feet) for the 12 months ended January 2021 and changes from the previous 12-month period for each end user:
Note: All data sources, methodologies and historical data series available at [[link removed]]
Visit the center for jobs [[link removed]] The California Center for Jobs and the Economy provides an objective and definitive source of information pertaining to job creation and economic trends in California. [[link removed]] Contact 1301 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814 916.553.4093 If you no longer wish to receive these emails, select here to unsubscribe. [link removed]
