Houston electricity rates: what you’ll really pay in 2026

The flat-rate plans we checked for Houston cost 10.6 to 13.7 cents per kWh at 1,000 kWh on October 5, 2026. That includes CenterPoint delivery. The average Texas home paid 15.88 cents per kWh in July 2026, so shopping around can save real money.

In most of Houston, you pick your own electric company, called a retail provider. CenterPoint delivers the power to every home, no matter which provider you choose. So you get your bill from your provider, but you call CenterPoint about outages.

Call CenterPoint at 713-207-2222 or 800-332-7143. You can also use its online outage tracker and sign up for alerts. Don’t call your provider, because CenterPoint owns the lines and sends the crews. Call 911 first if a line is down.

As of October 1, 2026, CenterPoint’s delivery charge is $4.90 a month plus 6.5333 cents per kWh. On a 1,000 kWh bill, that’s $70.23. Every provider charges the same delivery fee, and it’s already included in the prices on fact labels.

A bill credit plan takes money off your bill only if you use a set amount of power. One Houston plan cost 8.3 cents per kWh at 1,000 kWh but 20.8 cents at 500 kWh. If your use changes a lot, a flat-rate plan is safer.

Of the plans we checked from reviewed companies, the cheapest flat-rate plan was Frontier Utilities’s Frontier Power Saver 3 at 10.6 cents per kWh at 1,000 kWh. It lasts only 3 months, though. Prices change daily, so check Power to Choose for today’s rates at your own use.

Short plans often look cheaper, but the price can jump when they end. Long plans lock your rate, but leaving early can cost a fee. If you’ll stay put, a 12-month or longer plan with a fair cancel fee is often the safer pick.

Air conditioning is a major use of power in hot places like Houston. It can run day and night for months. Even a cheap rate adds up when your use doubles. Set the thermostat a bit higher, seal leaks and shade sunny windows.

Pick a provider and plan, then give it your new address or ESI ID and your move-in date. The provider asks CenterPoint to turn on your power. Many providers can start service quickly, and some may ask for a deposit first.

Hurricane Beryl cut power to 2.2 million CenterPoint customers in July 2024. Some homes waited days for power. The state found CenterPoint’s online outage tracker failed during Beryl and a storm in May 2024. CenterPoint has since made changes to its storm plans.

It can be, but it depends on your plan. In Houston, your provider decides what it pays for extra solar power through a buyback plan. Compare buyback plans before you buy panels. A battery adds backup power during outages, which many homes want after Beryl.

An ESI ID is your home’s electric service number. If yours starts with 1008901, CenterPoint delivers your power. You need it to start or switch service. You can find it on a past bill, from your landlord, or by searching your address.

They’ve swung a lot. Federal price data for the Houston area shows prices rose about 24% from 2020 to 2022, then fell back in 2023. In 2024, they were close to 2020 levels. That’s why a good fixed rate can protect you.

Start with your electricity company. Ask about payment help and a deferred payment plan. For help paying, call Texas’s energy aid line at 877-399-8939 on weekdays, or dial 211. Homes earning up to 150% of the poverty level may qualify for CEAP.