Cheapest vs median Texas electricity plan: how much a home saves, by utility area (October 16, 2026)
This compares two numbers for each utility area: the estimated annual cost of the cheapest plan in our ranking and the estimated annual cost of the median plan, the one in the middle of the list. As of October 16, 2026 (our daily import ran at 6:15 a.m. Central), we used each area's plans in our default ranking: fixed-rate plans of 6 months or more that are not prepaid or time-of-use. The estimate is for a home that averages 1,000 kWh a month, spread over a seasonal Texas profile, including delivery charges and bill credits month by month, and excluding taxes. It is an estimate from published prices, not an offer.
The gap by utility area
| Utility area | Plans ranked | Cheapest | Median | Median minus cheapest | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oncor | 136 | $1,440 | $1,682 | $242 | 14.4% |
| CenterPoint | 137 | $1,417 | $1,641 | $224 | 13.6% |
| AEP Texas Central | 129 | $1,323 | $1,524 | $201 | 13.2% |
| AEP Texas North | 126 | $1,347 | $1,622 | $276 | 17.0% |
| TNMP | 129 | $1,391 | $1,848 | $457 | 24.7% |
| Lubbock Power & Light | 84 | $1,428 | $1,692 | $264 | 15.6% |
The gap is the median's estimated annual cost minus the cheapest plan's, shown as a share of the median. The most expensive plans cost more still: for example $2,412 a year in Oncor's area and $2,456 in TNMP's, for the same usage.
Which plan is cheapest
The plan with the lowest estimated annual cost, today, is a different plan in different areas. It is True Value 12 from True Power in Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas Central and AEP Texas North; Speedy 12 from Express Energy in TNMP; and TrueClassic 12 from AP Gas & Electric (TX) in Lubbock Power & Light. The ranking changes daily and depends on your usage, so use it as a snapshot, not a recommendation. See the live list for your area: Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas Central, AEP Texas North, TNMP.
What this does not tell you
- Eligibility. About 81% of the plans on Power to Choose are listed for new customers only (see what is on Power to Choose). The cheapest plan may not be open to you if you already use that provider.
- Your usage. The ranking at 500 or 2,000 kWh a month is different from the one at 1,000 kWh; plans with bill credits can win or lose depending on how much you use. See how bill credits work.
- Contract terms. Check the cancellation fee and what happens at the end of the term in the plan's Electricity Facts Label; see how to read an EFL.
How we rank plans explains the method. TexasHomeBills is independent and is not a provider or broker; see our advertiser disclosure.
Questions
How much can I save by choosing the cheapest plan in Texas?
On October 16, 2026, for a home averaging 1,000 kWh a month, the cheapest plan in our ranking cost $201 to $457 a year less than the median plan, depending on the utility area. This is our estimate based on published prices, excluding taxes.
Why is the gap so big in TNMP territory?
In TNMP's area the cheapest plan is estimated at $1,391 a year while the median is $1,848, a gap of $457 (24.7%). Plan prices there are more spread out than in the other areas we looked at.
Can anyone get the cheapest plan?
Not always. About 81% of plans on Power to Choose are listed as for new customers only, and the cheapest estimate depends on your own usage. Check the plan's Electricity Facts Label and eligibility before you sign.
Sources
- Power to Choose plan export (imported October 16, 2026) — Public Utility Commission of Texas
General information as of Oct 16, 2026, not legal or financial advice. PUCT rules (16 TAC Chapter 25), your contract and the provider's Electricity Facts Label control; check the current rule text and your own documents.
