Best Electricity Plans for 500 kWh — Apartments & Small Homes
Based on active Texas plans with valid 500 kWh pricing data. Refreshed every 6 hours. Confirm current rates with the provider.
Estimated costs are informational. Provider rates and plan terms may change. Confirm current details directly with the provider.
If you live in a studio or one-bedroom apartment, a small house with gas heat, or a home with an efficient mini-split system, your monthly usage may be closer to 400–600 kWh — roughly half the 1,000 kWh benchmark that most Texas electricity marketing is built around. At 500 kWh, the plan rankings change dramatically. Plans with large bill credits tied to 1,000 kWh minimums become expensive, and plans with high base charges quietly push your effective rate far above the advertised number.
Who uses this much electricity
Studio and one-bedroom apartment renters, single occupants, well-insulated homes with gas heat and appliances, properties with efficient ductless mini-split A/C systems, and households that are away most of the day.
Why it matters for plan selection
A base charge of $9.95/month adds nearly 2 cents/kWh to your effective rate at 500 kWh. A $35 bill credit that only triggers at 1,000 kWh is worth nothing to you. The plans that look cheapest on standard comparison sites are often the worst choices for low-usage households.
Shopping Strategy
- 1Pull three months of Smart Meter Texas data to confirm your typical usage before shopping — seasonal variation matters.
- 2Filter or sort plans by effective cost at 500 kWh, not the headline rate. The EFL lists estimated costs at 500, 1,000, and 2,000 kWh; use the 500 kWh figure.
- 3Reject any plan with a monthly base charge above $5 unless the per-kWh rate is substantially lower to compensate.
- 4Read the EFL bill-credit language carefully. Any phrase like 'credit applied when usage exceeds X kWh' is a red flag.
- 5Match contract length to your living situation. If you rent month-to-month or have less than 12 months on your lease, avoid plans with early termination fees above $50.
- 6Compare the effective rate at both 400 kWh and 600 kWh — not just 500 — to understand how the plan behaves across your realistic range.
Plans advertising 9–11 cents/kWh often include a bill credit that only applies at 1,000 kWh or more. At 500 kWh, you don't qualify — and the plan's true cost can be 15–18 cents/kWh or higher once your base charge is factored in.
Bill Examples
Estimates include both energy charges and TDSP delivery charges. Actual bills vary by area and provider.
| Scenario | Estimated Bill |
|---|---|
| Studio apartment, spring month, no A/C | $55–$75/month all-in (plan + TDSP delivery, ~400–450 kWh) |
| One-bedroom apartment, August, A/C running daily | $90–$125/month all-in (~550–650 kWh) |
| Small 900 sq ft house, gas heat, efficient appliances | $70–$100/month all-in (~480–520 kWh year-round average) |
| Same household on a plan with a $9.95 base charge + 1,000 kWh credit | $100–$135/month — 25–40% more for the same usage |
Plans Ranked for 500 kWh Monthly Usage
Showing plans for the Dallas/Oncor service area as a starting point. Change your ZIP code to see plans and delivery charges for your specific area.
| # | Plan | Provider | Rate (1,000 kWh) | Est. bill (500 kWh) | Term | Fine print |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sustainable Living Bundle - 5 | JUST ENERGY | 11.8¢/kWh | $59/mo | 5 mo | $175 cancel fee |
| 2 | Sustainable Lifestyle - 5 | AMIGO ENERGY | 11.8¢/kWh | $59/mo | 5 mo | $175 cancel fee |
| 3 | Sustainable Home Bundle - 5 | TARA ENERGY | 11.8¢/kWh | $59/mo | 5 mo | $175 cancel fee |
| 4 | True Value 12 | TRUE POWER | 11.8¢/kWh | $61/mo | 12 mo | $300 cancel fee, Repriced 15× in 90d |
| 5 | Octo Simple 12 | Octopus Energy | 12.0¢/kWh | $62/mo | 12 mo | $150 cancel fee |
Estimated bills include Oncordelivery charges. Confirm final pricing on the provider's Electricity Facts Label before enrolling. Use the interactive comparison below to rank all 150 plans at your own usage, or the full comparison tool.
Estimates shown are informational and may change with provider updates or TDSP delivery charge revisions. Confirm final EFL terms with the provider before enrollment.
Recommended Plan Characteristics
Look for plans that meet these criteria at 500 kWh.
- No monthly base charge, or a base charge under $5
- No bill credits tied to minimum usage thresholds
- Flat per-kWh energy charge without tiered pricing above 500 kWh
- 12-month or shorter contract term (or no early termination fee)
- Provider with a transparent EFL that clearly shows 500 kWh cost estimate
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good all-in electricity rate for 500 kWh per month in Texas?
How do base charges affect my electricity bill at low usage?
What is the average electricity usage for a small apartment in Texas?
Are bill credit electricity plans ever good for low-usage households?
Should I use a prepaid electricity plan if I use 500 kWh per month?
Compare at Other Usage Levels
Estimated costs are informational. Provider rates and plan terms may change. Confirm current details directly with the provider.