Is Southern California Edison (SCE) cheaper than City of Pasadena?

No — in 2024 Southern California Edison (SCE) customers averaged 32.43 cents/kWh versus 25.98 for City of Pasadena (EIA-861). City of Pasadena was cheaper by 6.45 cents, about $697 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from Southern California Edison (SCE) to City of Pasadena?

No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. California has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.

Why is Southern California Edison (SCE) more expensive than City of Pasadena?

EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between SCE and City of Pasadena territory all feed the 6.45-cent gap.

Southern California Edison (SCE) vs City of Pasadena: Which Is Cheaper? (California, 2024)

City of Pasadena customers paid less: an average 25.98¢/kWh in 2024 versus 32.43¢/kWh at Southern California Edison (SCE) (EIA-861) — a gap of 6.45¢/kWh, worth about $697 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 1 CA county (Los Angeles). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address.

Side by side (CA, EIA-861)

Southern California Edison (SCE) vs City of Pasadena — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	Southern California Edison (SCE)	City of Pasadena
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	32.43	25.98
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	32.34	24.14
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$3,502	$2,806
Residential customers (2024)	3,219,520	58,551
Ownership	Investor-owned	Municipal
Counties served in CA	16	1

Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Southern California Edison (SCE) · City of Pasadena · California overview.

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Los Angeles county (CA, 2024).

Adjoining or overlapping territory in a county does not mean households there can pick between the two — service maps are parcel-level and fixed. The county overlap mainly matters when choosing where to live or comparing town-level costs.

Can you actually choose between them?

No — not for delivery. Distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; Southern California Edison (SCE) and City of Pasadena do not compete for the same meters. California is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (cpuc.ca.gov). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.

Questions people ask

Is Southern California Edison (SCE) cheaper than City of Pasadena?: No — in 2024 Southern California Edison (SCE) customers averaged 32.43 cents/kWh versus 25.98 for City of Pasadena (EIA-861). City of Pasadena was cheaper by 6.45 cents, about $697 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from Southern California Edison (SCE) to City of Pasadena?: No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. California has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
Why is Southern California Edison (SCE) more expensive than City of Pasadena?: EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between SCE and City of Pasadena territory all feed the 6.45-cent gap.

About these numbers. Rates shown are averages computed from federal regulatory filings (EIA Form 861) and public tariff databases — confirm with your utility before making decisions; your actual rate depends on your tariff, usage, and riders. Distribution utility is determined by address and generally cannot be chosen; in retail-choice states you may choose your supplier for the supply portion of the bill. Savings figures use 10,800 kWh/yr (US average residential usage) and are estimates, not quotes. EnergySavings is an independent data project by CertiHomes and is not affiliated with any utility, supplier, or government agency.