Juicing the Numbers: How Much Do Texans Pay for Electricity?

As the mercury begins to rise, we all begin to think about our electricity bills. But how much per kilowatt hour do Texans pay? And how does that compare across the country? One data website created heat maps to illustrate just that.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Americans spend about 12.7 cents per kWh on average. But in Texas, we pay slightly less — 11.51, to be exact. That’s up slightly from last year’s average of 11.11.

Howmuch.net created heat maps that illustrate the average residential, commercial, and industrial rates across the country. We pulled Texas data specifically and created a handy chart, too.

Across the country, Hawaii has the most expensive rates, period, along with Alaska.

In the continental U.S., it’s more expensive in the Northeast than the rest of the country, with the exception of California.

“By contrast, more rural states like Oklahoma and Louisiana have some of the lowest electricity rates,” HowMuch.net said, adding that proximity to energy sources and more available land to build energy plants on is likely the biggest reason.

“In general, consumers pay a higher rate for electricity than businesses,” the site said in 2018. “Oddly enough, Tennessee and Louisiana are the only two states where consumers pay a better rate; every other state has a better price for commercial customers. Pennsylvania has the greatest disparity between the two rates.”

To see this year’s numbers, click here. To see last year’s, go here. For more about cooling your home more efficiently, check out our story from last year.