Best Electricity Plans for Texas Apartments — A Renter's Shopping Guide
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.
Electricity shopping as a Texas apartment renter has unique challenges that homeowner-focused comparison guides don't address: short leases that don't align with standard 12-month contracts, usage levels of 500–800 kWh that make most advertised rates misleading, and practical questions like deposits, credit checks, and what to do if your building has master metering. This page is specifically for apartment renters who want straightforward answers.
Who uses this much electricity
Renters in studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartments, particularly those without electric heat (gas or baseboard heating reduces electrical load significantly), households with shared walls that reduce heating and cooling loads, students, young professionals, and anyone in a building without dedicated sub-metering.
Why it matters for plan selection
The standard 1,000 kWh benchmark used in all Texas electricity advertising overstates actual apartment usage by 25–50%. A plan that looks cheap at 1,000 kWh — often because of a bill credit at that threshold — becomes expensive at 700 kWh when the credit never triggers. Apartment renters who shop at 1,000 kWh and use 650 kWh are routinely overpaying by $15–$30 per month without knowing it.
Shopping Strategy
- 1Confirm first whether your apartment has individual metering or master metering. Look at your electricity bill: is it in your name directly with a retail provider, or does it come through the building management? If master-metered, you cannot choose your own provider.
- 2Estimate your actual usage: a one-bedroom without electric heat is typically 450–650 kWh. A two-bedroom with A/C but gas heat is 600–900 kWh. Use these numbers, not 1,000 kWh, when comparing.
- 3Match contract length to your lease. If you have 8 months left on your lease, a 12-month plan with a $150 ETF could cost you $150 when you move. Look for 6-month plans, month-to-month options, or plans with no ETF.
- 4Prioritize plans with no base charge and no usage-threshold credits. Simple flat-rate per-kWh plans are usually the best fit for apartments.
- 5If you have no Texas credit history or want to avoid a deposit, look for prepaid electricity plans or providers known for low deposit requirements. Deposits are typically $100–$200 and refunded after 12 months of on-time payments.
- 6Ask your landlord what TDSP territory you're in (Oncor, Centerpoint, AEP Texas, TNMP) — this determines the delivery charge portion of your bill and helps narrow your plan search.
The 1,000 kWh credit trap. A plan advertises 9.5 cents/kWh at 1,000 kWh because it includes a $35 bill credit at that threshold. At 700 kWh you don't get the credit, and the actual cost is closer to 15 cents/kWh. Also watch for high base charges ($9.95/month adds over 1 cent/kWh at 700 kWh) and early termination fees that outlast your lease.
Bill Examples
Estimates include both energy charges and TDSP delivery charges. Actual bills vary by area and provider.
| Scenario | Estimated Bill |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom apartment, spring, gas heat, 1 occupant | $55–$80/month all-in (~450–550 kWh) |
| One-bedroom apartment, August, A/C running daily | $85–$120/month all-in (~600–750 kWh) |
| Two-bedroom apartment, year-round average | $85–$130/month all-in (~700–950 kWh) |
| One-bedroom on a plan with a 1,000 kWh credit (credit never triggers) | $100–$135/month — 20–40% more than a flat-rate plan at the same usage |
Plans Ranked for 750 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 750 kWh.
- No monthly base charge, or a base charge under $5
- No bill credits tied to minimum usage thresholds
- Contract length of 6–12 months, or a month-to-month option with no ETF
- Clear cancellation terms if you move before the contract ends
- Provider that offers online enrollment and does not require an in-person credit check
- Prepaid option available if you want to avoid deposits entirely
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average electricity bill for a Texas apartment?
Can I choose my own electricity provider as a renter in Texas?
Do I need a deposit for electricity in a Texas apartment?
What happens to my electricity plan when I move out of my apartment?
What is a prepaid electricity plan and is it good for apartments?
Compare at Other Usage Levels
Estimated costs are informational. Provider rates and plan terms may change. Confirm current details directly with the provider.