Meta Pixel

Texas City-by-City Electricity Guide: Best Plans & Rates

Find the best electricity plan for your Texas city. Compare rates by utility area, understand local delivery charges, and discover savings opportunities.

Hash Manesia's Headshot'

Written by Hash Manesia

Published on Apr 7, 2026

26 min read

Reviewed by Kyle Aubuchon

Texas City-by-City Electricity Guide: Best Plans & Rates

Texas City-by-City Electricity Guide: Best Plans & Rates

Ready to find a better electricity plan? Compare rates in your area on Gatby — free and unbiased.

Texas electricity rates vary significantly by city due to different utility territories, local delivery charges, and regional market conditions. Each city falls within a specific Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP) territory, which determines your delivery charges and affects your total electricity cost regardless of which retail provider you choose.

TL;DR: Your Texas city determines your utility territory (TDSP), which affects delivery charges that make up 35-40% of your bill. Major cities like Houston (CenterPoint), Dallas (Oncor), Austin (Austin Energy - not deregulated), and San Antonio (CPS Energy - not deregulated) have different rate structures. Compare plans specific to your city's utility area to find accurate pricing.

Last updated: 2026-04-07

Understanding your city's electricity landscape helps you make informed decisions about rate plans, contract terms, and potential savings. This comprehensive guide breaks down electricity options by major Texas cities, explains how location affects pricing, and shows you how to find the best plan for your specific area.

How Your City Determines Your Electricity Options

Your Texas city determines which Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP) serves your area, and this directly impacts your electricity costs and available options. The TDSP owns the power lines, meters, and infrastructure that delivers electricity to your home, while retail electric providers (REPs) compete to supply the actual electricity.

Six major TDSPs serve Texas's deregulated electricity market. Oncor Electric Delivery covers the largest territory, serving Dallas-Fort Worth and North Texas with approximately 10 million customers. CenterPoint Energy serves the Houston metropolitan area and surrounding counties. AEP Texas operates two separate territories - AEP Texas Central covering South Texas cities like Corpus Christi and McAllen, and AEP Texas North serving West Texas. Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP) serves scattered areas across the state, while Lubbock Power & Light serves the Lubbock area.

TDSP delivery charges represent 35-40% of your total electricity bill and adjust twice yearly on March 1 and September 1. These charges are identical for all customers in a territory regardless of which retail provider you choose. A customer in Houston pays CenterPoint's delivery rates whether they choose Constellation, Champion Energy, or any other REP.

The retail electric provider you select determines the supply portion of your bill - the per-kilowatt-hour energy charge, base monthly fees, and contract terms. This is where competition exists and where you can find savings by comparing plans.

Major Texas Cities: Deregulated vs. Municipal Utilities

Texas electricity deregulation covers approximately 85% of the state's electricity load, but several major cities operate municipal utilities that are not part of the competitive market. Understanding whether your city participates in deregulation determines your options for choosing an electricity provider.

Deregulated Cities (You Can Choose Your Provider): Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Garland, Irving, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Mesquite, Carrollton, Richardson, Lewisville, Flower Mound, Grapevine, Euless, Bedford, Hurst, Keller, Southlake, Colleyville, Trophy Club, Westlake, and most other DFW suburbs fall within Oncor territory where you can choose your retail electric provider.

Houston, Sugar Land, Pearland, The Woodlands, Conroe, Humble, Katy, Pasadena, Baytown, League City (TNMP portion), Galveston, and most other Houston-area cities are served by CenterPoint Energy where retail choice is available.

Corpus Christi, McAllen, Harlingen, Brownsville, Laredo, Victoria, and other South Texas cities in AEP Texas Central territory can choose their electricity provider.

Municipal Utilities (No Choice - Single Provider): Austin residents receive electricity from Austin Energy, the city-owned utility. You cannot choose a different provider if you live within Austin Energy's service territory, which covers most of Austin and parts of Travis and Williamson counties.

San Antonio residents are served by CPS Energy, the nation's largest municipal utility. Like Austin Energy, CPS Energy customers cannot choose their electricity provider.

Other municipal utilities that do not participate in deregulation include Denton Municipal Electric, Garland Power & Light (separate from Oncor-served areas of Garland), Georgetown Utility Systems, New Braunfels Utilities, Bryan Texas Utilities, College Station Utilities, and approximately 70 other municipal systems statewide.

If you live in a municipal utility area, your rates are set by the city council or utility board rather than market competition. These utilities often provide stable, cost-of-service based pricing but without the competitive options available in deregulated areas.

Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Electricity Guide

The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex represents the largest deregulated electricity market in Texas, with Oncor Electric Delivery serving most of the region's 7+ million residents. Oncor territory extends from downtown Dallas and Fort Worth through dozens of suburban communities, creating the most liquid and competitive retail electricity market in the state.

Dallas proper, Fort Worth, Plano, Arlington, Irving, Garland (Oncor-served areas), Grand Prairie, Mesquite, Carrollton, Richardson, Lewisville, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, and most DFW suburbs fall within Oncor's service territory. Oncor's delivery charges are among the most competitive in Texas, with current rates typically ranging from 3.5-4.5 cents per kWh for delivery services.

DFW electricity customers benefit from the deepest retail provider competition in Texas. More than 25 retail electric providers actively market in Oncor territory, offering everything from basic fixed-rate plans to specialized products for electric vehicle owners, solar customers, and businesses with specific usage patterns.

The region's diverse housing stock creates varied electricity usage patterns. Downtown Dallas high-rise apartments average 600-800 kWh monthly, while suburban single-family homes in Plano, Frisco, or Southlake often use 1,200-1,800 kWh monthly, with summer peaks reaching 2,000+ kWh during extended heat waves.

Fixed-rate contracts remain the most popular choice among DFW residents, typically ranging from 6-month to 24-month terms. The region's competitive market means customers can often find rates below the statewide average, particularly during spring and fall shoulder seasons when wholesale electricity costs decline.

For detailed information about electricity options in specific DFW cities, see our comprehensive guides:

Houston Area Electricity Market

Houston and surrounding Harris, Montgomery, Galveston, and Fort Bend county communities are primarily served by CenterPoint Energy, creating the second-largest deregulated electricity market in Texas. CenterPoint territory includes Houston, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Conroe, Pearland, Pasadena, Baytown, Humble, Katy, and dozens of other communities.

CenterPoint's delivery charges typically run 4.0-5.0 cents per kWh, slightly higher than Oncor but still competitive statewide. The utility has invested heavily in grid hardening and smart meter technology, with nearly 100% smart meter penetration across its territory.

Houston's climate drives significant seasonal usage variation. Coastal humidity means air conditioning systems work harder and longer than in drier parts of Texas. Average residential usage ranges from 800-1,000 kWh in mild months to 1,500-2,200 kWh during peak summer periods. This usage pattern makes fixed-rate plans particularly valuable for budget predictability.

The Houston market features robust retail competition with 20+ active providers offering diverse plan structures. Energy-intensive industries in the region create demand for specialized commercial and industrial electricity products, while the area's growing residential population supports competitive residential retail options.

Hurricane risk is a consideration for Houston-area electricity customers. Hurricane Beryl in July 2024 left more than 2.6 million CenterPoint customers without power, with some areas experiencing outages lasting more than a week. While retail electric provider choice doesn't affect outage restoration (that's CenterPoint's responsibility), having a reliable REP for billing and customer service during extended outages can be valuable.

For comprehensive Houston electricity information, see our detailed guide:

South Texas Electricity Options

South Texas cities including Corpus Christi, McAllen, Harlingen, Brownsville, Laredo, and Victoria are served by AEP Texas Central, operating in ERCOT's South load zone. This region features some of Texas's lowest electricity delivery charges, with AEP Texas Central rates typically 3.0-4.0 cents per kWh.

The South Texas market presents unique characteristics compared to major metropolitan areas. Lower population density means fewer retail providers actively market in the region, but competition still exists among 15+ REPs offering residential service. The area's proximity to Mexico creates cross-border industrial demand that can influence regional wholesale electricity prices.

Climate patterns in South Texas create year-round cooling demand, with less seasonal variation than North Texas. Corpus Christi coastal areas benefit from Gulf breezes that moderate temperatures, while inland cities like Laredo and McAllen experience more extreme heat. Average residential usage typically ranges from 900-1,200 kWh in winter months to 1,400-2,000 kWh during summer peaks.

The region's growing population, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley, has attracted increased retail provider attention. McAllen, Harlingen, and Brownsville have seen expanded plan offerings as providers recognize the market opportunity in these fast-growing communities.

Wind generation is abundant in South Texas, with major wind farms throughout the region contributing to ERCOT's renewable energy supply. This local generation can create favorable wholesale pricing conditions that benefit retail customers through competitive plan offerings.

West Texas Electricity Market

West Texas electricity service is split between AEP Texas North and Lubbock Power & Light, with some areas served by TNMP. The region operates in ERCOT's West load zone, which can experience different wholesale pricing dynamics than the more populated North and Houston zones.

Lubbock represents the largest city in West Texas's deregulated market. Lubbock Power & Light transitioned to ERCOT competition in 2021, making it one of the newest competitive electricity markets in Texas. The transition brought retail choice to approximately 160,000 customers who previously received regulated utility service.

AEP Texas North serves San Angelo, Vernon, and scattered communities across West Texas. Lower population density means fewer retail providers actively market in these areas, but customers still have access to competitive plans from major statewide REPs.

West Texas climate creates distinct usage patterns compared to other regions. Lower humidity means air conditioning systems operate more efficiently, but extreme summer heat still drives significant cooling demand. Winter heating loads can be substantial during cold snaps, particularly in the Panhandle areas.

The region's extensive wind generation resources - West Texas produces more wind energy than most entire states - can create favorable local wholesale pricing conditions. However, transmission constraints occasionally limit the ability to export excess wind generation to other parts of Texas, creating complex pricing dynamics.

Understanding TDSP Delivery Charges by City

TDSP delivery charges represent a significant portion of your electricity bill and vary by utility territory. These charges cover the cost of maintaining power lines, transformers, meters, and other infrastructure needed to deliver electricity to your home. Understanding your city's delivery charge structure helps you accurately compare total electricity costs.

Oncor Electric Delivery, serving Dallas-Fort Worth, typically charges a monthly customer service fee of $3.42 plus delivery charges of approximately 3.8-4.2 cents per kWh. These rates adjust twice yearly and apply to all customers in Oncor territory regardless of retail provider choice.

CenterPoint Energy in Houston charges a monthly customer fee around $4.39 plus delivery rates of approximately 4.2-4.8 cents per kWh. CenterPoint's rates reflect the utility's significant infrastructure investments, including grid hardening measures implemented after Hurricane Ike and continued improvements following Hurricane Beryl.

AEP Texas Central serving South Texas typically offers some of the state's lowest delivery charges, with monthly fees around $5.88 and per-kWh delivery charges of 3.2-3.8 cents. These competitive rates partially offset the region's typically higher energy supply costs due to transmission constraints and lower retail provider competition.

AEP Texas North in West Texas charges monthly fees of approximately $7.85 with per-kWh delivery rates of 3.5-4.1 cents. The higher monthly fee reflects the cost of serving lower-density areas with longer distribution lines per customer.

TNMP serves scattered areas statewide with delivery charges varying by specific service territory. Monthly fees typically range from $7.85-$10.04 with per-kWh charges of 3.8-4.5 cents depending on location.

Lubbock Power & Light, as the newest competitive market, charges monthly fees around $13.00 with delivery rates of approximately 3.0-3.5 cents per kWh. The higher monthly fee reflects the utility's smaller customer base and infrastructure costs.

How to Find the Best Electricity Plan for Your City

Finding the best electricity plan for your specific Texas city requires understanding your usage patterns, local utility territory, and available retail provider options. Start by identifying your TDSP territory, as this determines your delivery charges and affects your total electricity cost.

Gather 12 months of electricity usage data from your current bills or Smart Meter Texas if available. Look for seasonal patterns - most Texas homes use 30-50% more electricity during summer months due to air conditioning demand. Calculate your average monthly usage and identify your peak usage months.

Compare plans based on your actual usage patterns rather than the standardized 500, 1,000, and 2,000 kWh tiers shown on Electricity Facts Labels (EFLs). A plan that looks attractive at 1,000 kWh might be expensive at your actual usage of 1,300 kWh due to different rate structures.

Consider contract terms that align with your housing situation. If you're renting and might move within a year, shorter-term contracts provide flexibility. Homeowners can often benefit from longer-term contracts that lock in rates and provide protection from market volatility.

Evaluate plan types based on your lifestyle and usage flexibility. Fixed-rate plans offer predictable pricing and protection from market spikes. Time-of-use plans with free nights or weekends can save money if you can shift usage to off-peak hours. Bill credit plans work only if your usage consistently hits the credit threshold.

Read contract terms carefully, paying attention to early termination fees, automatic renewal provisions, and rate change conditions. Understand what happens when your contract expires - most plans default to variable rates that are typically well above market average.

Use Gatby's comparison tools to see plans available in your specific city and utility territory. Gatby shows actual rates for your area and filters out plans that aren't appropriate for your usage patterns. Compare electricity plans for your Texas city to see current options and pricing.

Seasonal Rate Patterns Across Texas Cities

Texas electricity rates follow predictable seasonal patterns that vary by region and city. Understanding these patterns helps you time contract renewals and choose appropriate contract terms for your location.

Summer represents peak demand season across all Texas cities, with wholesale electricity prices typically reaching annual highs during June through September. Air conditioning drives residential usage to seasonal peaks, while industrial and commercial demand remains elevated. Cities with higher cooling degree days like Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio see the most dramatic summer rate increases.

Houston's coastal humidity creates particularly high summer electricity demand. CenterPoint territory often experiences the state's highest residential usage during extended heat waves, as air conditioning systems work harder in humid conditions. This drives both usage and wholesale price spikes that affect new contract pricing.

Dallas-Fort Worth sees significant summer demand but benefits from lower humidity than Houston. Oncor territory's large customer base and diverse economic activity create relatively stable wholesale pricing compared to smaller load zones.

Winter demand varies significantly by region. North Texas cities experience meaningful heating loads during cold snaps, while South Texas cities maintain relatively stable winter usage. The February 2021 Winter Storm Uri demonstrated how extreme cold weather can create catastrophic wholesale price spikes that affect variable-rate customers.

Spring and fall represent optimal shopping seasons across all Texas cities. Mild weather reduces electricity demand, wholesale prices typically reach annual lows, and retail providers offer their most competitive rates to attract customers before peak seasons.

Contract timing strategies vary by city and personal circumstances. Houston residents might prefer spring contract starts to lock in rates before hurricane season and summer heat. Dallas customers can often find good rates in both spring and fall shoulder seasons. South Texas residents benefit from winter shopping when cooling demand moderates.

Commercial and Industrial Electricity by City

Commercial and industrial electricity markets vary significantly across Texas cities, with different rate structures, demand charges, and supplier options based on location and load characteristics. Large cities offer the most competitive commercial markets, while smaller communities may have limited supplier choices.

Dallas-Fort Worth represents Texas's most competitive commercial electricity market. Oncor territory serves diverse industries from technology companies in Plano and Richardson to manufacturing facilities in Grand Prairie and Arlington. Commercial rates typically include both energy charges (per kWh) and demand charges (per kW of peak monthly usage).

Houston's industrial electricity market reflects the region's petrochemical and refining industries. Large industrial customers often negotiate custom contracts with capacity pass-through provisions that provide transparency into wholesale market costs. The Port of Houston and surrounding industrial complexes create significant baseload demand that can stabilize regional pricing.

Commercial customers in all Texas cities benefit from professional energy brokerage services that analyze load profiles, negotiate rates, and manage contract renewals. Gatby's commercial energy team serves businesses across Texas, providing customized quotes based on actual usage patterns and operational requirements. Call (832) 430-1745 for commercial electricity consultation.

Multi-site businesses operating across different Texas cities must manage contracts in multiple TDSP territories. A restaurant chain with locations in Dallas (Oncor), Houston (CenterPoint), and Corpus Christi (AEP Texas Central) faces different delivery charges and supplier options in each market.

Industrial customers with loads above 1 MW often qualify for specialized rate structures including real-time pricing, capacity pass-through options, and custom contract terms. These large customers can sometimes access wholesale market pricing with appropriate risk management strategies.

Municipal Utility Cities: What You Need to Know

Several major Texas cities operate municipal utilities that do not participate in retail electricity deregulation. If you live in Austin, San Antonio, or other municipal utility areas, you cannot choose your electricity provider, but you may have different rate options within the municipal system.

Austin Energy serves most of Austin and parts of Travis and Williamson counties. As a municipal utility, Austin Energy provides regulated electricity service with rates set by the Austin City Council. The utility offers several residential rate structures including standard service, time-of-use rates, and programs for low-income customers.

Austin Energy has invested heavily in renewable energy, with a goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. The utility operates solar farms, purchases wind energy, and offers rebates for customer-owned solar installations. Austin residents cannot choose their electricity provider but benefit from the utility's renewable energy investments.

CPS Energy serves San Antonio and most of Bexar County as the nation's largest municipal utility. Like Austin Energy, CPS Energy rates are set by the city council rather than market competition. The utility offers various residential rate options including standard service, time-of-use rates, and energy efficiency programs.

Other municipal utilities include Denton Municipal Electric, Garland Power & Light (serving city of Garland customers - separate from Oncor areas), Georgetown Utility Systems, New Braunfels Utilities, Bryan Texas Utilities, College Station Utilities, and approximately 70 smaller municipal systems.

Municipal utility customers often enjoy stable, cost-based pricing without the volatility that can affect competitive markets. However, they miss opportunities for competitive savings and specialized plan options available in deregulated areas.

If you're moving from a municipal utility area to a deregulated city, you'll need to choose a retail electric provider. If you're moving from a deregulated area to a municipal utility city, your current REP contract will be canceled and you'll automatically receive service from the municipal utility.

Electric Vehicle Charging Considerations by City

Electric vehicle adoption varies across Texas cities, with different electricity plan options and charging infrastructure considerations based on location. Understanding your city's EV landscape helps you choose appropriate electricity plans and charging strategies.

Dallas-Fort Worth leads Texas in EV adoption, with extensive public charging networks and multiple electricity plans designed for EV owners. Oncor territory offers numerous time-of-use plans with free or reduced-rate overnight charging periods. Plans with free electricity from 9 PM to 6 AM can significantly reduce home charging costs for EV owners who can charge overnight.

Houston's EV market is growing rapidly, with CenterPoint territory offering several EV-optimized electricity plans. The region's industrial activity means some areas have robust electrical infrastructure that supports faster home charging installations. Hurricane risk creates additional considerations for EV owners who may need to charge vehicles before storm events when grid power might be unavailable.

Austin Energy offers specific EV rate programs for municipal utility customers, including time-of-use rates that encourage off-peak charging. While Austin residents cannot choose their electricity provider, they can select rate structures that optimize EV charging costs.

San Antonio's CPS Energy similarly offers EV-specific rate programs within the municipal utility structure. The utility has invested in public charging infrastructure and offers rebates for residential charging equipment installation.

Smaller Texas cities may have limited EV-specific electricity plan options, but standard time-of-use plans can still provide savings for EV owners who charge during off-peak hours. Rural areas may face challenges with charging infrastructure but often have lower electricity rates that reduce overall charging costs.

EV owners should calculate charging costs based on their driving patterns and home electricity usage. A typical EV uses 25-40 kWh per 100 miles of driving, so a daily 50-mile commute might add 300-500 kWh monthly to your electricity bill. Time-of-use plans can reduce this cost significantly if you can charge during off-peak hours.

Solar and Renewable Energy Options by City

Solar energy adoption and renewable electricity plan availability vary across Texas cities based on local policies, utility interconnection procedures, and retail provider offerings. Understanding your city's solar landscape helps you evaluate both rooftop solar installations and renewable electricity plan options.

Dallas-Fort Worth offers extensive solar opportunities with favorable net metering policies in Oncor territory. Many retail providers offer solar buyback plans that credit customers for excess solar generation at competitive rates. The region's relatively low humidity and abundant sunshine create good conditions for rooftop solar performance.

Oncor's interconnection process for residential solar is streamlined, with most systems under 25 kW qualifying for simplified procedures. The utility's smart meter infrastructure supports net metering and time-of-use rate structures that can maximize solar savings.

Houston area solar adoption has grown despite occasional weather challenges. CenterPoint territory offers net metering for residential solar installations, and several retail providers offer competitive solar buyback rates. Hurricane risk creates considerations for solar equipment durability and insurance coverage.

Austin Energy operates one of the nation's most successful municipal solar programs, with extensive utility-scale solar farms and customer solar incentives. Austin residents cannot choose their electricity provider but benefit from the utility's renewable energy investments and solar rebate programs.

San Antonio's CPS Energy similarly offers solar programs within the municipal utility structure, including rebates for residential solar installations and community solar options for customers who cannot install rooftop systems.

For customers in deregulated areas who don't install solar panels, many retail providers offer renewable energy plans that support wind and solar generation through Renewable Energy Credit (REC) purchases. These plans allow customers to support renewable energy without installing their own systems.

Texas leads the nation in wind generation, and many retail providers offer 100% renewable plans that source electricity from Texas wind farms. These plans typically cost slightly more than standard plans but provide environmental benefits and support continued renewable energy development.

Moving Between Texas Cities: Electricity Considerations

Moving between Texas cities often means changing utility territories, which affects your electricity options and requires understanding different market conditions. Whether you're moving within deregulated areas or between deregulated and municipal utility territories, planning your electricity service helps ensure uninterrupted power at your new home.

Moving within the same TDSP territory (for example, from Dallas to Plano, both in Oncor territory) is the simplest scenario. You can often transfer your existing electricity plan to your new address without changing providers or contract terms. Contact your current retail provider at least two weeks before your move date to arrange service transfer.

Moving between different TDSP territories (for example, from Houston to Dallas) requires more planning. Your current electricity contract will terminate at your old address, and you'll need new service at your new address. Texas law waives early termination fees when you move, so you won't be penalized for ending your contract early due to relocation.

Research electricity options at your new address before moving. Different TDSP territories have different delivery charges, retail provider options, and typical usage patterns. A plan that worked well in your previous city might not be optimal in your new location due to different rate structures or climate conditions.

Moving from a deregulated area to a municipal utility city (like Austin or San Antonio) means you'll automatically receive service from the municipal utility. Your current REP contract will be canceled without penalty, and you'll need to contact the municipal utility to establish service at your new address.

Moving from a municipal utility area to a deregulated city means you'll need to choose a retail electric provider for the first time. Research options in advance and select a provider before your move date to ensure service is connected when you arrive at your new home.

Timing considerations vary by season and market conditions. Moving during peak summer months might mean higher rates for new contracts, while spring and fall moves often coincide with better rate opportunities. Plan ahead to take advantage of favorable market conditions when possible.

For apartment dwellers, many multifamily properties have partnerships with specific retail providers that can simplify the connection process. Ask your new property manager about electricity options and whether they have preferred providers or special rates for residents.

Written by Hash Manesia, Energy Market Analyst at Gatby. Hash Manesia covers deregulated electricity markets across Texas and the Northeast, helping consumers navigate plan selection, rate comparison, and energy policy changes.

Reviewed by the Gatby Editorial Team on 2026-04-07

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Texas cities have the cheapest electricity rates?

Cities served by AEP Texas Central in South Texas, including Corpus Christi, McAllen, and Laredo, typically have the lowest delivery charges in the state at 3.2-3.8 cents per kWh. However, total electricity costs depend on both delivery charges and retail supply rates, which vary by provider and market conditions. Dallas-Fort Worth (Oncor territory) often offers the most competitive retail rates due to intense provider competition, while Houston (CenterPoint territory) has moderate delivery charges but strong retail competition. The best rates for your specific usage depend on your city's utility territory, your consumption patterns, and current market conditions. Compare plans specific to your city using Gatby to see actual rates for your area.

Can I choose my electricity provider in Austin or San Antonio?

No, Austin and San Antonio residents cannot choose their electricity provider because these cities operate municipal utilities that do not participate in Texas's deregulated electricity market. Austin Energy serves most of Austin and surrounding areas, while CPS Energy serves San Antonio and Bexar County. These municipal utilities provide regulated electricity service with rates set by city councils rather than market competition. However, both utilities offer multiple rate options including standard service, time-of-use rates, and energy efficiency programs. If you live in Austin or San Antonio, contact your municipal utility directly to explore available rate structures and programs that might reduce your electricity costs.

How do delivery charges differ between Texas cities?

Delivery charges vary significantly by city based on which Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP) serves your area. Oncor (Dallas-Fort Worth) typically charges $3.42 monthly plus 3.8-4.2 cents per kWh. CenterPoint (Houston) charges around $4.39 monthly plus 4.2-4.8 cents per kWh. AEP Texas Central (South Texas) offers some of the lowest rates at $5.88 monthly plus 3.2-3.8 cents per kWh. AEP Texas North (West Texas) charges $7.85 monthly plus 3.5-4.1 cents per kWh. TNMP varies by location but typically ranges $7.85-$10.04 monthly with 3.8-4.5 cents per kWh. These delivery charges represent 35-40% of your total bill and are the same for all customers in a territory regardless of retail provider choice.

What happens to my electricity service when I move between Texas cities?

When moving between Texas cities, your electricity service requirements depend on whether you're changing utility territories. Moving within the same TDSP territory (like Dallas to Plano) often allows you to transfer your existing plan to your new address. Moving between different territories (like Houston to Dallas) requires new service, but Texas law waives early termination fees for moves. Moving from a deregulated area to a municipal utility city means your current contract ends and you automatically receive municipal utility service. Moving from a municipal utility to a deregulated city requires choosing a new retail provider. Contact your current provider at least two weeks before moving to arrange service transfer or termination, and research options at your new address in advance.

Which Texas cities offer the best electricity plans for electric vehicle owners?

Dallas-Fort Worth offers the most EV-friendly electricity options, with numerous time-of-use plans in Oncor territory featuring free or reduced-rate overnight charging from 9 PM to 6 AM. Houston (CenterPoint territory) also offers several EV-optimized plans with off-peak charging rates. Austin Energy and CPS Energy provide EV-specific rate programs for municipal utility customers in Austin and San Antonio respectively. These plans can significantly reduce charging costs - a typical EV adds 300-500 kWh monthly for a 50-mile daily commute, so overnight charging during free or reduced-rate hours can save $30-60 monthly compared to standard rates. Smaller cities may have fewer EV-specific options but standard time-of-use plans can still provide savings for overnight charging.

How do I find electricity plans specific to my Texas city?

Start by identifying your utility territory (TDSP) since this determines your delivery charges and available retail providers. You can find your TDSP on your current electricity bill or by entering your address on comparison websites. Once you know your territory, compare plans from multiple retail providers that serve your area. Consider your actual usage patterns rather than just advertised rates, as plan structures vary significantly. Look at contract terms, early termination fees, and renewal provisions. Use comparison tools that show plans specific to your city and utility territory, as rates and options vary by location. Gatby's comparison platform filters plans by your specific address and utility area, showing only options available in your city with accurate pricing including local delivery charges.

Table of Contents
How Your City Determines Your Electricity Options
Major Texas Cities: Deregulated vs. Municipal Utilities
Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Electricity Guide
Houston Area Electricity Market
South Texas Electricity Options
West Texas Electricity Market
Understanding TDSP Delivery Charges by City
How to Find the Best Electricity Plan for Your City
Seasonal Rate Patterns Across Texas Cities
Commercial and Industrial Electricity by City
Municipal Utility Cities: What You Need to Know
Electric Vehicle Charging Considerations by City
Solar and Renewable Energy Options by City
Moving Between Texas Cities: Electricity Considerations
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Texas cities have the cheapest electricity rates?
Can I choose my electricity provider in Austin or San Antonio?
How do delivery charges differ between Texas cities?
What happens to my electricity service when I move between Texas cities?
Which Texas cities offer the best electricity plans for electric vehicle owners?
How do I find electricity plans specific to my Texas city?
Hash Manesia's Headshot'
Written By
Hash Manesia
Energy Market Analyst
Hash Manesia is a Growth Associate at Gatby and a 2022 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering.