Exploring average electricity rates in Houston and the surrounding area? Being a Texas resident means you have the power to choose your electricity provider. But it also means you have to research your options to find not only the best rates but also the best plan for your lifestyle and budget.
And with so many Houston energy providers, electric rates and plans, it’s hard to know which one to choose.
That’s where we come in. ElectricityPlans has rounded up power companies in Houston and surrounding cities plus their rates and plans. Additionally, we give you the tools and information to pick the best electricity provider for your home.
Before we get into the details, it’s important to know what is a good rate for electricity in Houston? Then compare to current electric rates in Houston, updated on a daily basis.
The average electricity rate in Houston is 17.40¢ per kWh based on rates as of 12/21/2024. That's based on a typical home in Houston using 1300 kWh. The average monthly electricity bill in Houston is $226.20.
How Much is Electricity in Houston? Browse Rates by Provider
| Plan Name | Term | Rate/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 4Change Energy Maxx Saver Select 12 | 12 | 10.8 ¢ |
| Gexa Eco Saver Plus 12 Plan | 12 | 10.8 ¢ |
| Discount Power Bill Credit Bundle 24 | 24 | 10.8 ¢ |
| Frontier Saver Plus 12 Plan | 12 | 10.8 ¢ |
| Chariot Energy GridEdge 12 | 12 | 11.1 ¢ |
| Discount Power Bill Credit Bundle 12 | 12 | 11.4 ¢ |
| Cirro Energy Simple Bill Credit 12 | 12 | 11.4 ¢ |
| Cirro Energy Simple Bill Credit 24 | 24 | 11.4 ¢ |
| Veteran Energy Valor 12 | 12 | 12.9 ¢ |
| APG&E Electricity Plans 6 | 6 | 13.1 ¢ |
| Veteran Energy Valor 24 | 24 | 13.5 ¢ |
| Atlantex Power Luminous 6 | 6 | 13.5 ¢ |
| Constellation 12 Month Usage Bill Credit | 12 | 13.6 ¢ |
| Constellation 24 Month Usage Bill Credit | 24 | 13.7 ¢ |
| Rhythm Energy Simply Select 6 | 6 | 13.8 ¢ |
| TriEagle Energy Sure Value 12 | 12 | 13.9 ¢ |
| Reliant Power Savings 24 | 24 | 13.9 ¢ |
| Constellation 12 Month Usage Bill Credit + A/C Protection for 2 Units | 12 | 13.9 ¢ |
| Constellation 12 Month Usage Bill Credit + A/C Protection for 1 Unit | 12 | 13.9 ¢ |
| Constellation 36 Month Usage Bill Credit | 36 | 13.9 ¢ |
Shop Electricity Rates & Plans in Houston
Houston Electricity Shopping
- How to Find the Best Electric Rates in Houston
- Top Electric Companies in Houston
- The Best Electricity Providers in Houston
- Moving to Houston – Start Electricity Service in Your New Home
- Switch Electricity Providers in Houston
- FAQs About Houston Electricity Shopping
- What Happens During a Power Outage in Houston
- Business Electricity in Houston – Commercial Electricity Rates
How to Find the Best Electric Rates in Houston
Just like in cities across the state, assessing electric company rates in Houston and the surrounding area can be confusing. You come across a low rate, but teasers and fine print give you a false impression. .
For these too-good-to-be-true electricity power plans in Houston, the advertised rates at 1000 or 2000 kWh may hide the details. That’s the price if you use exactly 1000 kWh, but if you use more or less than that, you pay a different price. And it’s usually higher than you expected.
That’s why we created ElectricityPlans – to help Houston residents find the best electricity rates for their household and compare costs and plans across providers.
Are you new to the state? Texas’ deregulated energy market seems confusing at a glance, and you don’t know where to start. To understand how electricity and power companies in Houston work, review our full guide on how to shop for an electricity plan in Texas.
Energy rates in Houston vary by term and type of plan. Use these tools to find the best power rates in Houston:
- You can shop based on your usage, so you know exactly what you will pay per kWh, and the estimated monthly bill. Our Electricity Bill Calculator feature does all the math for you!
- Read one-line summaries of the fine print on each plan. We highlight key items for you.
- You can shop by type of plan. So if you want a tiered rate or bill credit plan, you can find those. But if you want a basic fixed rate plan, you can narrow down your search.
- Compare features on up to three plans at a time with the compare plans tool. You can even email results to yourself to shop later.
Top Electric Companies in Houston
There are a lot of different energy and light companies in Houston you can choose from.
Electric companies in Houston take two forms: the utility company and the retail electricity provider. Learn more about the local market, its leading providers and what they do:
Houston Electric Utility Company: CenterPoint
The utility company for Houston is CenterPoint Energy. They deliver power to your home, respond in case of a power emergency and read your meter.
However, you’re required to choose a retail electricity provider (REP) as your electricity supplier. That gives you options for price, electricity plans and service.
List of Houston Electric Companies
Searching for a list of light companies in Houston, energy companies in Houston, or electric companies in Houston?
We’ve got you covered, whether you’re opting to stay with traditional energy or go green. Here’s a list of top electricity companies in Houston that you’ll find on our site.
You can compare electricity rates and energy providers for areas around Houston too, like Sugar Land, Cypress, Katy, Richmond, Tomball and Spring.
The Best Electricity Providers in Houston
The truth is, there is no one best electricity provider in Houston. Instead, to refine your search and find the most reasonable rates, you need to think about energy usage, your monthly bill and if you’d like to support renewable energy.
The best electricity plan for you is the one with the best price based on your electricity usage. You’ll also want to consider the type of plan, contract term and of course, shop based on your monthly usage.
But based on our 20+ years of experience with Houston energy companies, we certainly have our opinions on the best electricity providers in the CenterPoint utility area. (Plus we’re based in Cypress TX, just up the road, so we know this area.)
Here is our list of best electricity companies by type of electricity plan:
- Best electricity company for fixed rate electricity plans. OhmConnect Energy has some of the cheapest no gimmicks electricity rates in Houston.
- Best electricity company with a satisfaction guarantee Rhythm Energy gives a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Don’t like them? Leave within 30 days with no early termination penalty.
- Best free nights electricity. Chariot Energy has the best free nights electricity plans.
- Best prepaid electricity company. Payless Power is the best no-deposit lights company because they offer a fixed rate plan in addition to month to month rates.
- Best apartment electricity company. Reliant has some of the best electricity plans for apartments.
Shop Cheap Electricity Rates in Houston
Moving to Houston – Start Electricity Service in Your New Home
If you’re moving to Houston, you need to start electricity service in your new home.
Most areas around the country have regulated electricity. You must buy your power from the utility company. In Texas electricity is deregulated and you must shop for an electricity provider. In turn, the cost of electricity in Houston has many variables.
You can shop for an electricity provider by simply entering your zip code. Then, compare electricity rates to find the best rate and contract term for your home.
You get the most accurate pricing if you know your home’s usage. Your realtor can get that information for you before closing. Or your apartment complex manager will know this.
Moving to a new home and don’t know its average usage electricity? You you can assume it’s around 1300 kWh a month for an average size home. That’s the average monthly electricity usage in Houston.
If you are moving within Houston and your utility is CenterPoint, you may be able to take your current contract with you when you move. This is called a transfer of service. Call your electricity provider to see if this is an option.
Switch Electricity Providers in Houston
If you live in Houston, you know the drill. You need to shop for your electricity plan when your contract expires. (Psst. We offer an electricity plan contract reminder service so you don’t forget.)
We recommend that you compare electricity rates every time your contract expires. Many electricity providers charge a higher rate for current customers. And they offer their best rates to new customers.
Follow these tips when you switch electricity providers:
- Shop based on your usage. Check your average monthly usage. Then shop based on usage instead of 500, 1000 or 2000 kWh.
- Shop ahead of time. Don’t wait until your contract expires. You can shop up to 60 days ahead of time. Just remember to pick a start date for your new provider.
- Pick your type of plan. We always recommend fixed rate plans. Basic fixed rates are a good option for most homes.
- Look for the best electricity plan. Your electricity plan is your rate, term, termination fee and type of plan. Be sure to consider all these items, not just the price per kWh.
Average Electricity Rate & Electric Bill in Houston
- Average electricity rate in Houston : 15.82¢ per kWh
- Average electricity usage per month: 1300 kWh
- Average electricity bill in Houston : $205.66
FAQs About Houston Electricity Shopping
There are five steps to finding the cheapest electricity rate in Houston.
(1) Enter your zip code on an electricity shopping site, like ElectricityPlans.
(2) Enter your average usage information so you can see what your bill will be under each plan.
(3) Sort the results by price: low to high so the cheapest rates are on top.
(4) Compare the average rate and total bill for the different plans. Either read all the fine print or only consider true fixed rate plans. Ignore tricky plans with bill credits and tiered rates.
(5) Select the plan that gives you the best electricity price for your home.
Ohm Connect and Chariot Energy consistently have some of the cheapest electricity rates in Houston. Electricity prices change frequently, so check current rates based on your zip code and usage. And refer to our article on cheapest electricity companies, updated monthly.
Typically, the cheapest electricity prices are during spring, winter and fall, with prices going higher in the summer. Whatever time of year your contract expires, look for the lowest electricity rate you can find. Sign up for electricity plan expiration reminders so you don’t forget.
The average monthly usage of electricity in Houston is 15,600 kWh a year or 1,300 kWh a month. Your electricity usage will vary based on the size and age of your home, the number of people in the home, and how you use electricity.
High temperatures and humidity cause many Houston residents to crank up their air conditioners during the summer months and leave them on for longer. On average, energy usage jumps to 1,300 kWh per month starting in June and lasts through the season.
However, average electricity rates in Houston also decline toward the end of summer. For 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that area residents paid 17.8¢/kWh for the first six months of the year and 13.1¢/kWh for August 2024.
Homes on the Gulf Coast use more electricity because of the level of humidity in our area during the summer. With higher and more humid temperatures, your air conditioning works overtime to cool your home. The average electricity usage in Houston is 1,300 kWh a month. Dallas electricity usage is 937 kWh a month.
What Happens During a Power Outage in Houston
Houston power outages are typically caused by a weather event, aging infrastructure equipment or traffic accidents.
But whatever the cause, what you really want to know is when the power will be back on? Here’s what you can do:
- Check the CenterPoint outages map to see power outages down to the street level. The CenterPoint Outage Tracker Map is updated in real time.
- This Texas Power Outage Tracker from the Houston Chronicle has been, at times, more accurate than CenterPoint, due to its use of third-party data.
- Visit the CenterPoint Electric Outage Center to sign up for their Power Alert Service. You’ll get text messages letting you know the ETA on power restoration.
- Report an Houston power outage online using your phone number or meter number.
- Report a Houston power outage by phone at 800-332-7143
Business Electricity in Houston – Commercial Electricity Rates
You can compare electricity rates for your business too. Shop to find the best commercial electricity rates.
Shop business electricity rates online if you are a small business that spends less than $2,500 per month. Or call us at 844-214-5559 Monday-Friday for a custom business electricity quote, same day electricity move-in or future start date commercial electricity rates.
Below are commercial electricity rates per kWh in the Houston (CenterPoint electricity) area.
Business Electricity Rates per kWh in Houston
| Plan Name | Term | Rate/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Reliant Business Power Plus 36 Months | 36 | 8.10 ¢ |
| APG&E APG&E 6 Months | 6 | 6.68 ¢ |
| ENGIE 6 Months | 6 | 7.04 ¢ |
| APG&E APG&E 18 Months | 18 | 7.58 ¢ |
| ENGIE 60 Months | 60 | 7.60 ¢ |
| ENGIE 18 Months | 18 | 7.62 ¢ |
| ENGIE 48 Months | 48 | 7.69 ¢ |
| APG&E APG&E 12 Months | 12 | 7.75 ¢ |
| ENGIE 12 Months | 12 | 7.77 ¢ |
| ENGIE 36 Months | 36 | 7.77 ¢ |
| ENGIE 24 Months | 24 | 7.81 ¢ |
| APG&E APG&E 60 Months | 60 | 7.85 ¢ |
| APG&E APG&E 24 Months | 24 | 7.86 ¢ |
| APG&E APG&E 48 Months | 48 | 7.92 ¢ |
| APG&E APG&E 36 Months | 36 | 7.93 ¢ |
| Reliant Business Power Plus 12 Months | 12 | 8.00 ¢ |
| Reliant Business Power Plus 24 Months | 24 | 8.10 ¢ |
