Sacramento Municipal Utility District provides electricity service to Sacramento and the surrounding California area. The local climate significantly impacts energy costs throughout the year.
12.5¢/kWh
Average residential rate
The average Sacramento residential customer pays approximately 12.5¢ per kilowatt-hour. Your actual rate depends on your specific rate plan, usage tier, and time of use.
| Plan | Base Rate | Peak Hours | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time-of-Day (5-8 p.m.) Rate | Winter: $0.1285/kWh (off-peak), $0.1776/kWh (peak) | Summer: $0.1550/kWh (off-peak), $0.2139/kWh (mid-peak), $0.3765/kWh (peak) | 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays | Customers who can shift their energy use to off-peak hours. |
| Fixed Rate | Jan-May: $0.1371/kWh | Jun-Sep: $0.2189/kWh | Oct-Dec: $0.1371/kWh | None | Customers who want a predictable electricity rate throughout the day. |
| Budget Billing | Based on the last 12 months of average usage. | None | Customers who want a predictable monthly bill amount. |
| Critical Peak Pricing | Summer: $0.1305/kWh (off-peak), $0.1877/kWh (mid-peak), $0.3655/kWh (peak) + $0.5000/kWh during peak events | Varies, 1-4 hour events during summer | Customers who can significantly reduce energy use during peak events. |
Time-of-Day (5-8 p.m.) Rate: Customers who can shift their energy use to off-peak hours.
Fixed Rate: Customers who want a predictable electricity rate throughout the day.
Budget Billing: Customers who want a predictable monthly bill amount.
*Rates shown are approximate and subject to change. Verify current rates at smud.org.*
Sacramento's climate significantly impacts energy costs throughout the year.
| Season | Typical Bill Range | Primary Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | $150-$300 | Air conditioning |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | $80-$180 | Heating |
| Spring/Fall | $70-$120 | Baseline usage |
*Bill estimates based on average Sacramento household usage of 1,100 kWh/month.*
Sacramento Municipal Utility District rates in Sacramento have changed over the past several years:
Recent rate adjustments have been approved by the state utility commission.
Sacramento Municipal Utility District serves Sacramento and surrounding areas in California.
Common questions about Sacramento Municipal Utility District service in Sacramento, California — including current rates, billing, outage reporting, and how to verify your bill is accurate.
No upload required. Enter two numbers from your bill to see if it falls within typical ranges.
Most utility bills are calculated correctly.
This quick check helps you understand if your bill stands out from typical ranges. It cannot determine accuracy without a full bill review.
The "Total Amount Due" on your bill
Usually labeled "Total kWh" or "Usage"
Disclaimer: This tool provides a rough estimate based on typical residential rates. It does not account for fixed charges, demand charges, time-of-use pricing, taxes, fees, or other bill components. Results are for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or legal advice. We cannot determine billing accuracy without reviewing your full bill.
Get Rate Change Alerts
Be the first to know when Sacramento Municipal Utility District files for a rate increase or decrease.
Free alerts. Unsubscribe anytime. We never share your email.
How California's tiered rate structure works and how to avoid higher tiers.
Everything you need to know about California's TOU rate plans.
How solar net metering works in California and recent policy changes.