Average electric bill in Texas: what's normal?
By the kWhCompare Editorial Team · Updated September 29, 2026 · 3 min read
The average Texas home pays about $173 a month for electricity, using roughly 1,085 kWh at an average of 15.9¢ per kWh. That's one of the higher monthly bills in the country, not because Texas power is expensive, but because Texans use a lot of it.
Why Texas bills are high even though rates are low
Texas's average rate of 15.9¢ per kWh is below the national average of 18.3¢. But the average Texas home uses far more electricity than a home in, say, California or New England. Long, hot summers keep air conditioners running for months, and most Texas homes heat with electricity rather than gas. Size matters too: newer suburban homes are often large, with more space to cool.
So when you compare your bill with friends in other states, compare the rate, not the total. See how Texas ranks in our Texas rate overview.
What's normal for your home size
Typical monthly usage and the bill at the Texas average rate. Your own numbers will vary with insulation, AC age, number of people and how warm you keep the house.
| Home | kWh / month | Bill at 15.9¢ |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment, 800 sq ft | 650 | $104 |
| Small house, 1,500 sq ft | 1,000 | $159 |
| Average home | 1,085 | $173 |
| Larger home, 2,500 sq ft | 1,600 | $255 |
| Large home + pool or EV | 2,200 | $351 |
Annual averages. Summer months typically run well above these, spring and fall well below.
How bills change through the year
A Texas electric bill follows the thermometer. Usage usually peaks from July through September, when many homes use one and a half to two times what they use in April or October. Winter brings a smaller second peak, and a sharp one during hard freezes in homes with electric heat pumps and heat strips.
That swing is why you should never judge a plan by one month. Look at your 12-month usage history, which most providers show on the bill or in your online account, and compare plans at your summer peak as well as your average. Our EFL guide shows why this matters so much with bill-credit plans.
If summer bills hurt, ask your provider about average billing (sometimes called budget billing). It spreads your yearly cost into more even monthly payments. You don't pay less overall, but you avoid the August shock.
Your utility changes the bill too
Every bill in competitive Texas includes delivery charges from the local utility, and they're not the same everywhere. Here's the delivery charge at 1,000 kWh and the total bill for the same simple plan, 9.5¢ energy and no base fee, in each area:
| Utility | Delivery | Total bill |
|---|---|---|
| CenterPoint Energy | $54.71 | $149.71 |
| AEP Texas North | $58.55 | $153.55 |
| AEP Texas Central | $60.14 | $155.14 |
| Oncor Electric Delivery | $64.36 | $159.36 |
| Texas-New Mexico Power | $72.52 | $167.52 |
Same plan, same usage, a difference of about $18 a month just because of where you live. Find yours on your city page or in the full delivery charge table.
Are you paying too much?
Divide your total bill by the kWh used. If the result is well above 15.9¢, something is probably off. The most common reason in Texas is an expired contract: when a fixed-rate plan ends, most providers move you to a pricier month-to-month rate. See when to switch to fix it, or run your bill through our analyzer.
If your rate looks fine but your bill is high, the problem is usage. Our guide to high bills walks through the 12 most common causes, and our summer savings guide covers the fixes that matter most in Texas.
Compare your rate with the Texas average in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average electric bill in Texas?
About $173 a month in 2026, for roughly 1,085 kWh at an average of 15.9¢ per kWh.
Why is my electric bill so high in Texas?
Usually because of air conditioning in summer, electric heating in winter or an expired contract that rolled you onto a higher variable rate.
Is $200 a month high for electricity in Texas?
Not necessarily. For a larger home in summer it's normal. Divide the bill by your kWh: if your rate is well above 15.9¢, you're likely overpaying.
What is a good electricity rate in Texas?
Anything below the state average of about 15.9¢ per kWh all-in, measured at your real usage.
Sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, average residential electricity prices and bills by state, 2026 (eia.gov)
- Public Utility Commission of Texas, TDU residential delivery charges (puc.texas.gov)
Figures are checked against these sources when each guide is updated. See how we research and calculate. This guide is for general information and isn't financial advice.