Is Southern California Edison (SCE) cheaper than Los Angeles Department of Water & Power?

No — in 2024 Southern California Edison (SCE) customers averaged 32.43 cents/kWh versus 23.84 for Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (EIA-861). Los Angeles Department of Water & Power was cheaper by 8.59 cents, about $928 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from Southern California Edison (SCE) to Los Angeles Department of Water & Power?

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 Los Angeles Department of Water & Power?

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 Los Angeles Department of Water & Power territory all feed the 8.59-cent gap.

Southern California Edison (SCE) vs Los Angeles Department of Water & Power: Which Is Cheaper? (California, 2024)

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power customers paid less: an average 23.84¢/kWh in 2024 versus 32.43¢/kWh at Southern California Edison (SCE) (EIA-861) — a gap of 8.59¢/kWh, worth about $928 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 2 CA counties (Inyo, 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 Los Angeles Department of Water & Power — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	Southern California Edison (SCE)	Los Angeles Department of Water & Power
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	32.43	23.84
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	32.34	22.99
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$3,502	$2,575
Residential customers (2024)	3,219,520	1,410,191
Ownership	Investor-owned	Municipal
Counties served in CA	16	2

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

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Inyo · Los Angeles counties (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 Los Angeles Department of Water & Power 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 Los Angeles Department of Water & Power?: No — in 2024 Southern California Edison (SCE) customers averaged 32.43 cents/kWh versus 23.84 for Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (EIA-861). Los Angeles Department of Water & Power was cheaper by 8.59 cents, about $928 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from Southern California Edison (SCE) to Los Angeles Department of Water & Power?: 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 Los Angeles Department of Water & Power?: 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 Los Angeles Department of Water & Power territory all feed the 8.59-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.