LADWP rate increases over time
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's average residential electricity price has risen from 15.38 cents per kWh in 2015 to 23.84 cents in 2024, an increase of about 55 percent, or roughly 5.0 percent per year. The chart compares LADWP (solid) against the state residential average (dashed). Hover any point for the exact figure.
What rising LADWP rates could cost you
LADWP rates have risen about 5.0% per year. Enter your bill to see what that pace of increase could compound to over time, and what you have likely already absorbed. This is an estimate, not a guarantee.
Estimate only. Projects your current bill forward at LADWP's historical average rate increase (5.0% per year, from EIA data); it assumes your usage stays the same except for any add-ons you select. Actual rates depend on your usage, rate plan, and the utility's future filings, and are not guaranteed. This is general information, not financial advice.
Current residential rates
LADWP residential customers are on a tiered rate (R-1A), where the price per kWh steps up as monthly usage rises, with higher tiers only in summer. The all-in rates below are from the OpenEI Utility Rate Database, effective April 2026.
| Plan | Energy charge | Fixed / basic |
|---|---|---|
| R-1A Tier 1 (and all winter usage) | about 24.2c per kWh | $10/mo minimum charge |
| R-1A Tier 2 (summer, mid usage) | about 25.7c per kWh | included above |
| R-1A Tier 3 (summer, high usage) | about 29.2c per kWh | included above |
Tier breakpoints depend on your service zone (Zone 1 or Zone 2). Winter (October to May) is a flat rate across tiers; tiering only applies in summer. Confirm current pricing on LADWP's rate pages.
Net metering and solar export: Retail-rate net metering (municipal program)
LADWP is a municipal utility governed by the City of Los Angeles, not the CPUC, so California NEM 3.0 does not apply. LADWP runs its own net energy metering program (operating since 1999).
LADWP credits the solar you export at the full retail rate, the same roughly 24 to 29 cents per kWh you would pay to import. This is one of the most favorable net-metering arrangements left in California, and a major contrast with the IOUs under NEM 3.0.
Key terms: systems are capped at 1 MW; net excess credits roll over and do not expire, but they cannot offset fixed charges (such as the $10 monthly minimum), and any remaining credit is forfeited if you close the account.
What it means for solar
LADWP's retail-rate net metering means exported solar is worth far more here than on SCE, you effectively bank surplus generation at full price for later. That makes a well-sized system attractive without necessarily needing a battery for economics.
The trade-off is that LADWP's rates are lower than SCE's, so each offset kWh saves less, which can lengthen payback compared with a higher-rate utility. Whether solar makes sense depends on your usage and roof; get a site-specific quote.
LADWP service area
LADWP provides electric service to the City of Los Angeles. The ZIP codes below are LADWP's residential electric service area.
LADWP provides residential electric service to these 132 ZIP codes:
Full data and sources
Per-utility prices are computed from EIA Form 861 (bundled residential revenue divided by sales), which reconciles to the EIA's published figures. The state average comes from EIA retail-sales data. These are public-domain U.S. government data.
| Year | LADWP (c/kWh) | State avg (c/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 15.38 | 16.99 |
| 2016 | 15.26 | 17.39 |
| 2017 | 16.65 | 18.31 |
| 2018 | 18.31 | 18.84 |
| 2019 | 19.99 | 19.15 |
| 2020 | 20.63 | 20.45 |
| 2021 | 21.19 | 22.82 |
| 2022 | 22.24 | 25.84 |
| 2023 | 22.99 | 29.51 |
| 2024 | 23.84 | 31.97 |
Sources: EIA Form 861 (per-utility sales, revenue, and price) · EIA Electric Sales, Revenue, and Average Price (Table 6) · LADWP residential electric rates · LADWP net energy metering
FAQ
How much have LADWP electricity rates gone up?
LADWP's average residential price rose about 55 percent since 2015, roughly 5.0 percent per year, reaching about 23.84 cents per kWh in 2024.
Does LADWP offer net metering for solar?
LADWP uses Retail-rate net metering (municipal program). See the net metering section above for exactly how exported solar is credited and what that means for your system.
Is solar worth it with LADWP?
It depends on your electricity usage, roof, system size, and whether you add a battery. Higher rates and rate increases make solar more attractive, but the value of exported power depends on LADWP's net metering rules. Get a site-specific quote rather than relying on a general estimate.
Where does this rate data come from?
The per-year prices come from the U.S. Energy Information Administration's Form 861, and the current rate structures come from the public Utility Rate Database. Both are public, free, and updated regularly.