What Is The Average Electric Bill in Austin [2024 Updated]

The table below compares the average electric bill in five different states:

Source: EIA

Where the national average electric rate consumption per month is 16.41 cents/kWh, Austin, Texas, has an electric rate consumption of 14.47 cents/kWh. The average monthly electricity consumption in the United States is around 899kWh/month, and that of Austin, Texas, is 1178kWh/month. This makes the average electric bill in the United States up to $147.52, and that of Austin, Texas, is $170.45.

What Are The Electricity Rates in Austin?   

The electricity rate is the cost associated with consumers' electric energy consumption. It serves as the pricing framework that governs consumers' electricity consumption. The electricity rate in Austin, Texas, changes throughout the year due to certain factors like weather, fuel price, etc.

Some top electricity providers in Austin, Texas are as follows:

• Champion Energy Services
• Payless Power
• Constellation
• Gexa Energy
• 4Change Energy
• Frontier Utilities
• Discount Power
• Express Energy
• Cirro Energy
• Chariot Energy
• Amigo Energy

The Austin Energy residential electric rates have a four-tier rate structure, which includes energy charges, power supply adjustments, community benefit charges, and regulatory charges. Compared to other utility bills in Texas, the residential bills in Austin tend to be lower. According to the EIA, the average residential electricity rate in Austin, Texas, is 14.47 cents/kWh, less than the average electric rate in the US of 16.41 cents/kWh. Different energy providers have different energy rates for different tenures. Here is a table of the top energy providers in Austin, Texas:

What Are The Types of Electric Plans in Austin?    

If you decide to move to Austin, Texas, and plan to start your business, you can choose your small business rates. Compared to the residential rates, the business electricity rates in Austin, Texas, are the lowest in the US. As a consumer, you can buy or choose from the five types of electricity plans in Austin that best fit your needs:

Fixed Rate Electricity Plan

You can subscribe to a low energy rate for a monthly tenure of nine to thirty-six months. If you switch before your term ends, you will be charged a termination fee.

Variable Rate Electricity Plan

In this plan, the monthly electric rates can increase or decrease; however, you do not need to worry about the early termination fees.

Pre-Paid Electricity Plan

This electricity plan deducts the electricity bill according to your monthly consumption once you deposit money into your account. These plans come with charges, and the rates may vary monthly.

Renewable And Green Energy Plan

There are three types of renewable energy plans: green energy term plans, EV charging plans, and solar buyback plans. Currently, more than 30% of energy produced in Texas is from a renewable source. One reason Texas has the lowest electricity rates is that it produces more renewable energy than any other state.

Time Of Use Plans

In this plan, the electricity consumption rate varies based on when you use the most electricity daily or the season that consumes the most electricity. Generally, the rate will be higher during the day and lower at night.

Before you choose an electricity plan in Austin, Texas, here are a few things you must consider:

Know Your Consumption

If you are moving to a small apartment, a medium-sized home, or a large house, consider that the size of your home relates to the average electricity usage. Electricity rates are based on kWh use per month.

Estimate Your Usage

If you do not know your average monthly consumption, you can estimate the amount of energy you will use in any given month, even if you do not have the last 12 months' bills. An estimation is better than randomly picking the plan provided by the utility company, as it might not be exactly what you consume.

Know Your Credit Score

You might be asked to pay a deposit of 150-300 dollars if you need better credit. To avoid this, you can use a no-deposit plan instead.

Understand Utility Charges

Local electricity utility companies in Austin, like TDSPs, repair and maintain the electricity pole wires, read the meter, and restore power when there is a power cut. The local utility fees consume 30-40% of your total bill.

In Austin, Texas, there are two types of enrollments for setting up electricity service: move-in and switch. A move-in enrollment is when you establish a new electricity service or transfer the electricity contract to your own name at the same address.

A switch enrollment is when you already use the electricity at your current location but want to switch to another utility company. There can be many reasons behind a switch enrollment, but if you switch within 14 days before your contract ends, you may be charged a cancellation fee.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Austin?    

The cost of living in Austin, Texas, for a family of four, is around $4,027.7 per month, which is 1% higher than the national average. The most common utilities include a median home price, median rent, energy bill, phone bill, gas, food, and health care. It is also estimated that the household expenses in Austin, Texas, are 16% more than the national average. The utility and transportation prices are 6% and 9% lower than the national average. Here is a detailed breakdown of the living costs in Austin, Texas:

Housing

On average, a 2-bedroom house in Austin, Texas, costs around $1500/month, and the residential property price per square foot is around $578,000. To understand the overall housing costs, you can consider factors such as monthly rent, maintenance fees, and house prices.

Food

The cost of living in Austin, Texas, is lower than the national average because of the low grocery prices. Savings of $200 per month is enough to bear your groceries prices. Although this might go up if you include dining out.

Transportation

Monthly transportation costs in Austin, Texas, may include transit passes, fuel prices, parking fees, tolls, insurance, etc. Including this, the average monthly cost can range from $980 to $1200 per year.

Health Care and Child Care

Health care and child care insurance plans in Austin, Texas can depend upon age, salary, and location. The monthly cost ranges from 480 to 590 dollars, which is 3% more than the national average. If you exclude the medical coverage but include regular check-ups, the cost can be around $200.

Entertainment

A 2D film show might cost around $10 in Austin, Texas, while a 3D film show might cost around $16. If you enjoy music shows, you might be charged between $50 and $100, depending on the lawn or front seating. Museum visits can range from $8 to $15.

Below is the table displaying the estimated values of average monthly living costs in Austin, Texas:

Note: The electric rates are subject to change, and it is advisable to check and stay updated on the actual rates on the provider’s website.

How to Lower Your Electric Bill in Austin?    

Whether you move to a new city, build or rent a house, or switch to another electricity grid, all these factors will reflect your electricity price. Here are some more critical factors that you must know to influence the price of your electric bill:

Fuel Prices

Fuel prices can increase in some regions or states due to high electricity demand or disruptions caused by extreme weather events. In turn, higher fuel prices due to weather conditions, accidental damage, and delivery infrastructure may result in higher electricity bills.

Transmission System

The transmission and distribution system includes construction and operation costs while connecting power plants with consumers. It also includes costs for repairing due to accidents or cybersecurity improvements.

Weather Conditions

Changes in seasons can demand heating and cooling systems, ultimately increasing electricity demand. Due to the timely increase in fuel and electricity prices, your monthly electricity bill may also show an increase.

Regulations

In some states, electricity prices are regulated by public utility commissions, while some states have a combination of unregulated and regulated prices for generators and transmission.

Here is a list of some ways by which you can significantly lower your electricity bills:

• Switch-off the lights
• Unplug unused appliances
• Use devices during off-hours
• Insulate your home
• Install a Thermostat
• Use energy-efficient devices
• Use Solar power systems like Jackery Solar Generators
• Clean and replace the filters regularly

If you install solar panel systems on your property, you can cut down on your regular grid electricity and make your own electric energy from sunlight. When solar panels are placed outside, they capture the sun's energy and turn it into electricity using photovoltaic cells. With a solar power system like Jackery Solar Generator, you can access endless, eco-friendly, and budget-friendly solar energy and use it for your home and businesses.

Jackery Solar Generators for Lowering Your Electric Bills

Born with the vision to bring green energy to people across the globe, Jackery is a leading brand that manufactures Jackery Portable Power Stations, Jackery Solar Generators, and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels. The Jackery Solar Generator is a solar power system that combines the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels to capture solar radiation and convert it into electrical energy using special cells. This energy is transferred to Jackery Portable Power Station, which has an in-built inverter to convert DC to AC and power your appliances. By installing these solar generators, you can reduce your reliance on conventional grid energy and save significantly on electricity bills.

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

With a large capacity, easy set-up, and portable design, the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is an ideal power supply for home emergencies and backup power. It uses clean, green solar energy and is a budget-friendly installation. It can charge medium- and heavy-duty appliances. It reduces or allows you to drop your reliance on grid energy, and you can save significant costs on your electricity bills.

Appliance Working Hours

• Refrigerator (520W): 4.9H
• Heater (1800W): 1.4H
• Microwave (960W): 2.6H

Customer Review

“I recently got an in-home consultation for a built-in generator estimate. While I wanted to prepare for hurricane season, I was not ready to pay $15K for a generator and installation. The Jackery 3000 Pro with solar panels meets our needs and is much more economical, easy to use, and convenient to store.” --Mark Zais

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus can support additional battery packs and is expandable for various scenarios such as blackouts and power outages. With this solar generator, you can stay power-ready during unforeseen weather conditions and no longer need to rely on grid electricity for continuous power supply. With solar energy, power can become free and independent and help you reduce your electricity bills.

Appliance Working Hours

• Portable Air Conditioner (1150W): 1.5H
• Kettle (850W): 2.04H
• Hand drill (400W): 4.34H

Customer Review

“The Best investment for our business, which does craft shows, is the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus with 2 Solar Saga 200W panels to power our XTool F1 portable laser air purifier laptop and lights on our canopy. If the power goes out, I can power my CPAP machine; there is no need to pay the vendor for electricity.” -- Kevin J. Craig

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh)

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) is ideal for off-grid living and powering you during extended blackouts. It is a sustainable next-generation generator with ultra-fast solar charging, providing various benefits like cost-effectiveness, toxin-free solar power, and easy and noise-free operation. It can power 99% of the devices and can be installed easily anywhere.

Appliance Working Hours

• Coffee Maker (550W): 6.31H
• Outdoor Electric Grill (1700W): 2.04H
• Electric Oven (800W): 4.34H

Customer Review

“The 2000 Plus battery pack is an excellent way to expand your storage if you already have one of the Jackery Solar Generators in the ‘Plus’ line. No frills, easy-to-use connections, and charging times were reported. Built-in handles make carrying simple.” -- Patrick Walz

Austin Average Electric Bill FAQs

What size of solar generator do I need for my house in Austin?

Investing in solar generators can help reduce your electricity bills and be equally beneficial for the environment while you rely upon clean and renewable solar energy. The size of the solar generator required for your house in Austin, Texas, depends upon certain elements, including the square footage of the house, the number of occupants, your energy consumption habits, the number of appliances you use, and the length of time you use them.

For example, Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro can charge a refrigerator (520W) and a TV (60W):

Working Time = Jackery Solar Generator Capacity in Wh × 0.85 / Operating wattage of the appliances

So, Working time = 3024Wh × 0.85 / 580W = 4.4H

Note: While charging the devices, some power loss occurs; hence, multiplied by 0.85.

What is the average electric bill in Texas per month?

The average electric bill in Texas per month is $170.45.

How much is the electric bill for a 2000 sq ft house in Texas?

The average electric bill for a 2000 sq ft house in Texas would be around $160 - $170, though it might change depending on the total energy consumption. 

How much are utilities for a 1 bedroom apartment in Austin?

The utility range for a 1-bedroom apartment in Austin is around $100-$350.

Why is Texas electric bill so high?

Some reasons for high electric bills in Texas include frequent blackouts, high energy consumption during summers, and increased electricity demand during heat waves.

Conclusion

With changes in weather conditions every year during global warming, heat waves are seen in many regions and states nationwide. Due to this, the electricity consumption per household increases, increasing the dependency on conventional grid electricity. This might result in the high average electric bill in Austin.

However, taking some actions, such as installing solar panel systems, switching off appliances when not in use, and monitoring your electricity consumption, can help you lower your electricity bills. Jackery Solar Generators bring many benefits, such as user-friendliness and large capacity to power most of your appliances through renewable solar energy, which can reduce your reliance on grid electricity and save vast amounts of electricity.