Has electricity gotten more expensive in Texas? The average price was 15.88¢ per kWh in July 2026, up 3.4%
People often ask whether electricity has gotten more expensive and what the average price per kWh is in Texas. This answers with one source, and says what it does and does not measure. As of October 17, 2026 (our data refresh), the latest monthly figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) cover July 2026. The EIA's average price is the revenue utilities and providers received divided by the kWh sold to residential customers in the state that month, excluding taxes.
Texas and the U.S., residential
| July 2026 | July 2025 | Change in 12 months | July 2021 | Change in 5 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 15.88¢/kWh | 15.36¢ | +3.4% | 11.73¢ | +35.4% |
| U.S. average | 18.31¢/kWh | 17.45¢ | +4.9% | 13.83¢ | +32.4% |
- In July 2026 the Texas average was 2.43¢ per kWh, or 13.3%, below the U.S. average.
- At 1,000 kWh in a month, 15.88¢ per kWh is about $159 before taxes. This is an average, not a price you can sign up for.
- Texas prices rose a little less than the U.S. average over the last 12 months (3.4% against 4.9%) and a little more over five years (35.4% against 32.4%).
You can download the data for every state in our U.S. electricity prices dataset, and see our daily tracking of what plans really cost in the Texas Real Rate Index.
Why this is not the price of your plan
- It is an average of everyone. It includes customers on variable rates and in areas without retail choice, and delivery charges are part of the figure.
- Plan prices are different. On October 13, 2026, among 968 fixed-rate plans that are not prepaid or time-of-use, the median listed price at 1,000 kWh a month on Power to Choose was 13.4¢ per kWh. That is a listed average price, which can include bill credits; see what we found. It is not directly comparable with the EIA average.
- Your own usage matters. The cheapest plan for a home using 500 kWh is often not the cheapest at 2,000 kWh. See how much a home saves by plan choice in cheapest vs median plan by utility area.
To compare plans on your own usage, start with your utility: Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas Central, AEP Texas North or TNMP. How we rank plans explains the method. TexasHomeBills is independent and is not a provider or broker; see our advertiser disclosure.
Questions
What is the average electricity rate in Texas?
According to EIA data, the average residential price in Texas was 15.88¢ per kWh in July 2026, which is about $159 for 1,000 kWh before taxes. It is an average across all residential customers and plans.
Has the cost of electricity gone up in Texas?
Yes. The EIA average residential price rose 3.4% in a year (from 15.36¢ in July 2025 to 15.88¢ in July 2026) and 35.4% since July 2021 (11.73¢).
Is electricity cheaper in Texas than in the rest of the U.S.?
On average, yes: Texas residential electricity at 15.88¢ per kWh was 2.43¢, or 13.3%, below the U.S. average of 18.31¢ in July 2026.
Is the average price what I would pay on a plan?
Not exactly. The EIA figure averages all residential customers, including those on variable rates and outside competitive areas. Plan prices on Power to Choose differ; compare plans on your own usage.
Sources
- Electric Power Monthly / Form EIA-861M — average retail price of electricity by state (July 2026) — U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Power to Choose plan export (imported October 13, 2026) — Public Utility Commission of Texas
General information as of Oct 17, 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.
