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 the best rates.
That’s where we come in. ElectricityPlans has rounded up power companies in Houston plus their rates and plans. Plus, we give you the tools and information to compare electricity rates in Houston and pick the best electricity provider for your home.
Electricity Rates in Houston Today
| Plan Name | Term | Rate/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Chariot Energy GridEdge 12 | 12 | 10.1 ¢ |
| APG&E SimpleSaver 36 | 36 | 10.2 ¢ |
| APG&E SimpleSaver 16 | 16 | 10.3 ¢ |
| Frontier Saver Plus 12 | 12 | 10.8 ¢ |
| 4Change Energy Maxx Saver Select 24 | 24 | 10.9 ¢ |
| 4Change Energy Maxx Saver Select 12 | 12 | 10.9 ¢ |
| Gexa Eco Saver Plus 12 | 12 | 10.9 ¢ |
| Discount Power Bill Credit Bundle 12 | 12 | 11.5 ¢ |
| Discount Power Bill Credit Bundle 24 | 24 | 11.5 ¢ |
| Cirro Energy Simple Bill Credit 12 | 12 | 11.5 ¢ |
| Cirro Energy Simple Bill Credit 24 | 24 | 11.5 ¢ |
| TriEagle Energy Sure Value 12 | 12 | 13.9 ¢ |
| Chariot Energy Free Nights 36 | 36 | 13.9 ¢ |
| APG&E Electricity Plans 36 | 36 | 13.9 ¢ |
| Constellation 12 Month Usage Bill Credit | 12 | 14.0 ¢ |
View even more plans by entering your zip code below!
Shop Electricity Rates & Plans in Houston
What is a Good Price per kWh in Houston?
Before you start shopping, it’s important to know the answer to “what is a good price per kWh in Houston?” Here’s the current average. Use this to see if you’re getting the best deal on power.
Average Electricity Rate & Electric Bill in Houston
- Average electricity rate in Houston : 17.97¢ per kWh
- Average electricity usage per month: 1300 kWh
- Average electricity bill in Houston : $233.61
Houston Electricity Shopping
- What is a Good Price per kWh in Houston?
- How to Find the Best Electric Rates in Houston
- Electricity Companies in Houston
- Best Electricity Providers in Houston
- Start Electricity Service in Houston (Move-in)
- 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
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.
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.
Energy rates in Houston vary by term and type of plan. Use these tools to find the best power rates in Houston:
- 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!
- We identify the fine print. Read one-line summaries of the fine print on each plan. We highlight key items for you.
- 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 and pricing on up to three plans at a time with the Compare Plans tool. You can even email results to yourself to shop later.
Electricity Companies in Houston
Electric companies in Houston take two forms: the utility company and the retail electricity provider.
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 Electric Companies in Houston (REPs)
There are many electric companies in Houston. Here’s a list of top power companies in Houston that you’ll find on our site.
Compare Electricity Companies & Rates in Houston
Best Electricity Providers in Houston
The truth is, there is no one best electricity company in Houston. It all depends on what you’re looking for.
But based on our 20+ years of experience with Houston electric companies, we certainly have our opinions on the best electricity providers in the CenterPoint utility area. (Plus we’re based in Cypress TX, so we’re local.)
Here is our list of best electricity companies in Houston 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
Start Electricity Service in Houston (Move-in)
In Texas, electricity is deregulated and you must shop for an electricity provider. You can shop by simply entering your zip code. Then, compare electricity rates to find the best rate and contract term for your home.
There are three steps to start electricity in Houston:
- Enter Zip Code
- Shop prices and plans
- Enroll online. Select “move-in” and your start date during enrollment.
You can schedule your electricity to turn on up to 60 days before you move. Or if you forget, you can get same day electricity in Houston.
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 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.
Want to understand how electricity and power companies in Houston work? Read our full guide on how to shop for an electricity plan in Texas.
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 switch electricity providers (or at least compare 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.
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.
Your electricity bill has two parts to it: energy charges and delivery charges. You can choose a low fixed rate electricity plan from a retail electricity provider to keep your energy costs low. But you don’t have a choice in your delivery company, which is CenterPoint Energy. The City of Houston is pushing back against additional CenterPoint rate hikes. CenterPoint’s delivery fees have steadily increased over the past 3 years and make up over 1/3 of your electricity bill.
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? Our article on CenterPoint power outages will provide you with information on how to use many of the tools listed below.
- 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 60 Months | 60 | 8.90 ¢ |
| ENGIE 60 Months | 60 | 7.05 ¢ |
| ENGIE 48 Months | 48 | 7.08 ¢ |
| ENGIE 36 Months | 36 | 7.16 ¢ |
| ENGIE 24 Months | 24 | 7.31 ¢ |
| ENGIE 12 Months | 12 | 7.43 ¢ |
| APG&E APG&E 60 Months | 60 | 7.58 ¢ |
| APG&E APG&E 48 Months | 48 | 7.63 ¢ |
| ENGIE 18 Months | 18 | 7.68 ¢ |
| APG&E APG&E 36 Months | 36 | 7.69 ¢ |
| APG&E APG&E 24 Months | 24 | 7.79 ¢ |
| APG&E APG&E 12 Months | 12 | 7.95 ¢ |
| APG&E APG&E 18 Months | 18 | 8.07 ¢ |
| Gexa Energy 60 Months | 60 | 8.11 ¢ |
| Constellation 60 Months | 60 | 8.12 ¢ |
| Gexa Energy 48 Months | 48 | 8.18 ¢ |
| Constellation 48 Months | 48 | 8.19 ¢ |
| Constellation 36 Months | 36 | 8.29 ¢ |
| Gexa Energy 36 Months | 36 | 8.30 ¢ |
| Constellation 24 Months | 24 | 8.45 ¢ |
