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Electricity rates in Houston, Texas

Houston is in the competitive Texas market: you choose your provider, and CenterPoint delivers the power. Use the calculator to see what any plan really costs at your usage.

Utility: CenterPoint
Delivery, 1,000 kWh: $54.71
Texas average: 15.94¢

What will a plan really cost in Houston?

Your monthly usage (kWh)

Plan energy charge (¢/kWh)

Provider base fee ($/mo)

Bill credit ($, if any)

Credit applies at or above (kWh)

Find the energy charge, base fee and bill credit on the plan's Electricity Facts Label (EFL).

Delivery charges in Houston

CenterPoint Energy serves the Houston metro area. Its delivery charge is about $4.99 a month plus 4.97¢ per kWh, roughly $54.71 at 1,000 kWh. That's about 34% of a bill at the Texas average rate, and it's identical whichever provider you pick.

Of Texas's five main delivery utilities, CenterPoint is the cheapest at 1,000 kWh. That gives Houston households a head start: the same plan costs less here than in Oncor or TNMP territory.

Providers can't mark delivery up, and it changes on March 1 and September 1 each year when the Public Utility Commission of Texas approves new rates.

Energy use in Gulf Coast

Hot, humid summers keep air conditioning running from May to October, so summer bills are often double spring bills. Hurricane season also makes a plan with good outage communication worth considering.

Power outages in Houston

Your provider doesn't fix outages; CenterPoint does. Report outages to CenterPoint at 1-800-332-7143, whichever company sends your bill.

How Houston delivery compares with the rest of Texas

Utility (TDU)	Monthly fixed	Per kWh	500 kWh	1,000 kWh	2,000 kWh
CenterPoint Energy	$4.99	4.97¢	$29.85	$54.71	$104.43
AEP Texas North	$3.24	5.53¢	$30.89	$58.55	$113.86
AEP Texas Central	$3.24	5.69¢	$31.69	$60.14	$117.04
Oncor Electric Delivery	$4.23	6.01¢	$34.30	$64.36	$124.49
Texas-New Mexico Power	$7.85	6.47¢	$40.18	$72.52	$137.19

Approximate residential delivery charges from the Public Utility Commission of Texas rate summary, late summer 2026. Always check the current figures on a plan's EFL.

How to choose a plan in Houston

Compare at your real usage. Plans are advertised at 1,000 kWh, but if your summer bills show 2,000 kWh, that's the price that matters.

Be careful with bill credits. A plan that's cheap at exactly 1,000 kWh can be expensive at 999 kWh or 1,500 kWh. Use the calculator above to check.

Prefer fixed rates. Variable plans can jump during heat waves and freezes. Check the contract length and early termination fee too.

Mark your contract end date. When a fixed plan ends, most providers move you to a pricier month-to-month rate.

Find your ESI ID

Your ESI ID identifies your meter. In CenterPoint territory it's 22 digits and starts with 1008901. It's printed on your bill near your service address.

Decode your ESI ID or check your current bill against the Texas average.

Houston electricity FAQ

Who delivers electricity in Houston, Texas?

CenterPoint Energy owns the power lines in Houston and delivers your electricity, whichever retail provider you choose. Report outages to CenterPoint at 1-800-332-7143.

Can I choose my electricity provider in Houston?

Yes. Houston is in the competitive Texas market, so you pick a retail electric provider while CenterPoint keeps delivering power.

How much are delivery charges in Houston?

About $54.71 a month at 1,000 kWh: a $4.99 fixed charge plus about 4.97¢ per kWh. Every provider passes this through at cost.

What's a good electricity rate in Houston?

Compare the all-in price per kWh at your real usage, including CenterPoint delivery. The Texas average is 15.94¢/kWh all-in, so a fixed plan below that at your usage is a good deal.

Other CenterPoint cities

All Texas cities and rates