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California cost analysis

How Much Does It Cost to Grow Cannabis at Home in California?

California electricity runs 30.2¢/kWh — we factor that into every calculation below. Spoiler: growing beats buying for most home growers.

Electricity rate

30.2¢/kWh

Highest in the continental US — factor this into your budget

Plant limit

12 plants

per household

Dispensary price

$240/oz

avg. retail

Home-grow cost

~$25/oz

all in, all tiers

Three Tiers of Home Grow Cost in California

Budget (2x2)

2x2 tent · 4 oz/harvest

Startup equipment$400
Annual electricity$322
Seeds + nutes (yr)~$200
Annual yield16 oz
Cost per oz$33

First-year savings

$2,918

vs $3,840 at dispensary

Full 2x2 tent setup →
Most popular

Standard (2x4)

2x4 tent · 10 oz/harvest

Startup equipment$800
Annual electricity$537
Seeds + nutes (yr)~$200
Annual yield40 oz
Cost per oz$18

First-year savings

$8,063

vs $9,600 at dispensary

Full 2x4 tent setup →

Premium (4x4)

4x4 tent · 20 oz/harvest

Startup equipment$1400
Annual electricity$1075
Seeds + nutes (yr)~$200
Annual yield80 oz
Cost per oz$16

First-year savings

$16,525

vs $19,200 at dispensary

Full 4x4 tent setup →

What's Different About Growing in California?

Highest in the continental US — factor this into your budget. Your electricity cost is a baseline driver — higher than average states like California and New York mean a few hundred dollars more per year in power costs. Offsetting factors: California's dispensary prices (averaging $240/oz) determine how fast your grow pays for itself.

Proposition 64 (Adult Use of Marijuana Act) allows up to 12 plants per household, which sets an upper limit on how much you can legally grow. Most home growers run fewer plants but bigger — 4 plants in a SCROG yields more than 8 plants crowded together.

Our assumptions (click to expand)

• Electricity: California residential average of 30.2¢/kWh (EIA data)

• Light runs 18/6 in veg, 12/12 in flower — averaged to 15 hours/day

• 30% power overhead added for fans, accessories

• 4 harvests/year (perpetual setup) with autoflowers or photoperiods rotating

• Yield estimates are median — experienced growers hit the high end, first-timers the low end

• Nutrients, seeds, and consumables estimated at $200/year (more if you buy premium seeds)

• Dispensary price: $240/oz average retail in California

• First-year savings assume you use or value everything you grow. Your mileage will vary.

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