Dallas Electricity Rates, Explained

Just want the cheapest plan? This guide explains how Dallas electricity rates actually work. To rank today’s live plans by your real usage, use the Dallas rate comparison tool →

Last updated: October 18, 2026  ·  8 min read

Dallas is one of the most competitive electricity markets in North America, with dozens of retail providers filing plans against the same Oncor delivery infrastructure. Competition is good for consumers — but only if you know how to compare plans honestly, past the 1,000 kWh advertised rate that providers engineer for marketing, not for accuracy.

Oncor — Dallas's Electricity Delivery Company

Oncor Electric Delivery owns and operates the poles, wires, and meters across Dallas and most of the DFW metroplex. With roughly 3.9 million delivery points across North, Central, and West Texas, Oncor is the largest TDU in ERCOT. When a storm knocks out power in Dallas, Oncor's crews restore it — not the company on your bill.

Your retail electric provider (REP) buys electricity wholesale from ERCOT, packages it into a plan, handles billing, and competes on price and plan structure. REPs use Oncor's wires; they do not own any delivery infrastructure. This split — mandatory under SB 7, the 1999 deregulation law — is what makes the Dallas market competitive. Oncor's tariff rates are regulated by the PUCT and apply equally to every REP and every customer in the service area.

What Oncor Delivery Charges Actually Look Like on Your Bill

Every Dallas electricity bill includes two major components: the energy charge (your REP's pricing) and Oncor's TDSP (Transmission and Distribution Service Provider) charge. The TDSP line is not negotiable and does not vary by plan.

Oncor's residential TDSP charges, per PUCT-approved tariff filings, include a fixed monthly customer charge plus a per-kWh distribution charge. At 1,000 kWh, combined Oncor charges typically run $13–$17. At 1,500 kWh — a realistic Dallas summer month — the delivery component rises to $18–$23. This is why two plans with identical advertised rates can produce different bills: their base charges and fee structures interact differently with the Oncor pass-through.

Bill Component	Who Sets It	Can You Change It?
Energy charge (cents per kWh)	Your REP — the plan you chose	Yes — switch providers
Monthly base / customer charge	Your REP — varies by plan	Yes — switch plans
Oncor TDSP — distribution charge	PUCT-regulated Oncor tariff	No
Oncor TDSP — customer charge	PUCT-regulated Oncor tariff	No
Taxes & PUCT assessment	State of Texas / PUCT	No

Dallas Electricity Rates by Neighborhood and ZIP

All Dallas ZIPs fall within Oncor's service area, so TDU charges are consistent across the city. Rate differences by ZIP come from provider filing choices — a plan may not be available at every Dallas ZIP, especially specialty or regional plans. The major providers (TXU, Reliant, Direct Energy, Gexa, Frontier) file plans across all Dallas ZIPs.

Dallas Summer Usage — What to Expect

Dallas summers are hot and long. Average high temperatures exceed 95°F from late June through mid-September, with peaks above 104°F during heat waves. A 3-bedroom Dallas home that uses around 950 kWh in March can easily consume 1,500–1,800 kWh in July and August as air conditioning runs nearly continuously.

Most plan structures published on Power to Choose are calibrated around 1,000 kWh per month — the mandated EFL reporting threshold. At 1,500 kWh, plans with bill credits or tiered structures often look considerably more expensive than they appeared at the 1,000 kWh benchmark. The True Cost Calculator lets you model your real annual bill across any plan using your actual monthly usage figures.

How to Compare Dallas Electricity Plans Correctly

The most reliable approach: know your average monthly usage (check your past 12 bills or use the Smart Meter Texas portal at smartmetertexas.com to download 15-minute interval data), then compare plans by the estimated annual bill at that usage, not by the 1,000 kWh advertised rate. A plan that looks 0.3¢/kWh cheaper at 1,000 kWh may be 1.5¢/kWh more expensive at your actual 1,400 kWh summer usage.

The ZIP search tool on this site does this automatically — enter your Dallas ZIP and bedroom count, and it returns plans ranked by their true estimated cost at your usage profile, calculated using linear interpolation across the three EFL price points (500, 1,000, and 2,000 kWh). This is the same methodology described in the comparison methodology guide.

Providers Active in the Dallas Market

The Dallas market consistently hosts 60 to 100 active plans across 20–30 providers. National and Texas-based REPs both file plans here. Major providers include TXU Energy, Reliant Energy, Direct Energy, Constellation, Gexa Energy, Frontier Utilities, 4Change Energy, Cirro Energy, Discount Power, Pulse Power, Rhythm Energy, and Octopus Energy Texas, among others. Provider presence changes over time — the Power to Choose registry is the authoritative real-time source.

Key Takeaways

Oncor delivers electricity in Dallas under PUCT-regulated tariffs — that relationship is fixed. Your REP, the company that prices and sells you power, can be switched at any time without interruption. Dallas's summer usage (typically 1,400–1,800 kWh) almost always exceeds the 1,000 kWh advertised benchmark, making most plan ads misleading for summer budgeting. The fastest path to the lowest-cost plan is a ZIP-level search that calculates the true interpolated rate at your actual usage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average electricity rate in Dallas?

As of May 2026, fixed-rate plans in Dallas (Oncor territory) typically advertise rates between 9.0 and 13.0 cents per kWh at 1,000 kWh. Your real effective rate depends on your actual usage — Dallas homes average 900–1,400 kWh per month, with peaks above 1,600 kWh in July and August. Use the ZIP search tool for a true-cost calculation at your usage level.

Who is the TDU for Dallas electricity?

Oncor Electric Delivery is the transmission and distribution utility (TDU) for Dallas and most of the DFW metro. Oncor serves about 3.9 million delivery points across North, Central, and West Texas. You cannot choose your TDU — it is determined by your address. What you can choose is your retail electric provider (REP).

How much do Oncor delivery charges add to a Dallas electricity bill?

Oncor's residential TDSP charges include a fixed monthly customer charge plus a per-kWh distribution fee, as filed with and approved by the PUCT. At 1,000 kWh, combined Oncor delivery charges typically add $13–$17 to your bill. At 1,500 kWh — a common Dallas summer month — the delivery component rises to $18–$23. These charges are identical regardless of which REP you use.

Can I switch electricity providers in Dallas?

Yes. Dallas is fully within the deregulated ERCOT market. You can switch REPs at any time. The switch processes in 1–3 business days. There is no service interruption — Oncor continues delivering power regardless of which company bills you. Check your current contract for an early termination fee (ETF) if you are still within a fixed-rate term.

Does my Dallas ZIP code affect electricity rates?

All Dallas ZIPs are within Oncor territory, so TDU delivery charges are uniform across the city. Rate differences by ZIP reflect which plans REPs have chosen to file there. Most major providers cover all Dallas ZIPs, but some boutique plans may be ZIP-specific. Always search by your actual ZIP for accurate results.

What electricity providers serve Dallas?

Dallas typically has 60–100 active plans from providers including TXU Energy, Reliant Energy, Direct Energy, Gexa Energy, Frontier Utilities, 4Change Energy, Discount Power, Cirro Energy, Pulse Power, Rhythm Energy, and others. Provider and plan inventory changes constantly — the Power to Choose registry (maintained by the PUCT) is the only real-time source.

Are Dallas electricity rates different from Fort Worth rates?

Both Dallas and Fort Worth are in Oncor territory, so TDU delivery charges are the same. REPs typically file identical plans across the DFW metro, so rates are effectively the same. Minor differences can appear if a provider launches a ZIP-specific promotion, but for most customers, Dallas and Fort Worth plans are interchangeable.

Your Next Move

Enter your Dallas ZIP in the search tool for live plan comparisons at your usage level. For a full breakdown of what Oncor charges and why they show up on your bill, read the Texas TDU Delivery Charges guide. The Houston electricity rates guide covers the CenterPoint market for comparison, and the Fort Worth guide covers the other major Oncor market. Use the True Cost Calculator to model the annual bill for any plan at any usage level.