Since 2010, state policies and regulations have driven up costs for all Californians.
Increase in the Average Annual Electric Bill Since 2010
Average Price per Gallon of Gas (March 2026)
Total Taxes and Fees per Gallon of Gasoline
California families are being crushed by rising energy costs. For low- and middle-income households, energy now consumes more than one-fifth of their income, leaving less money for food, housing, and healthcare. These costs are not optional — keeping the lights on and getting to work are basic necessities — yet they have become increasingly unaffordable.
Californians already face the highest gasoline prices in the nation and among the highest electricity rates. Together, these costs add up to billions of dollars more each year than families in other states are forced to pay. This isn’t just a household problem — it is a statewide cost-of-living crisis.
Energy costs are also a major driver of California’s broader cost of living. High electricity bills push up housing costs, while expensive gasoline inflates the price of goods and services across the economy. Every delivery truck, every grocery store, every small business pays more when energy costs rise, and those costs are ultimately passed on to consumers.
When energy is expensive, everything is expensive. Fuel and electricity prices ripple through the entire economy, fueling inflation and eroding purchasing power for every Californian. Unless policymakers put cost and reliability at the center of energy policy, families and businesses alike will continue to pay the price.