ElectricRates

San Antonio Has a Municipal Utility

City of San Antonio residents: You are served by CPS Energy, a city-owned utility. Your rates are set by the City Council, so there's no provider choice available.

Bexar County residents outside city limits: If you're served by Oncor (check your electric bill), you can shop for competitive rates. Enter your ZIP code below to check.

CPS Energy Website 210-353-2222

Electricity in San Antonio, TX: Why You Can't Shop

San Antonio is served by CPS Energy, a regulated utility. It's owned by the city, not a competitive retail provider — which means there's no shopping around. Your rate is what the utility charges.

That's not always a bad thing. Muni rates are often more stable than the deregulated market's, and they don't carry the renewal-trap pricing that catches Houston and Dallas customers. But you also can't switch to a cheaper plan when your bill goes up — so it helps to understand what you're paying for.

Visit CPS Energy 210-353-2222 Looking for a different Texas city?

Quick Answer

You can't shop for electricity in San Antonio. CPS Energy is your only option — there's no retail competition here. Your rate is set by Rates set by the CPS Energy Board of Trustees and San Antonio City Council. If you want to lower your bill, the practical levers are usage reduction (efficient appliances, time-of-use awareness, weatherization rebates), payment plans, and any income-qualified assistance CPS Energy offers.

Looking for shoppable Texas areas instead? See Oncor and CenterPoint cities.

San Antonio gets its power from CPS Energy — the largest municipally owned utility in the United States, serving more than 900,000 electric customers.

CPS Energy is owned by the City of San Antonio. That means there's no retail competition: your rate is what the utility charges, set by the CPS Energy Board and reviewed by City Council.

How to check if you can shop for electricity

1

Check your electric bill

Look for your utility provider name. If it says Oncor, you can shop for rates. If it says CPS Energy, your rates are set by the city.

2

Enter your ZIP code above

We'll identify your utility automatically. If you're in an Oncor area, you'll see competitive rates from multiple providers.

3

Compare and switch (if eligible)

Oncor customers can enroll online in 2 minutes. CPS Energy customers should contact the city for rate information.

How to lower your CPS Energy bill

Take the rebates

CPS Energy offers rebates for efficient HVAC equipment, attic insulation, smart thermostats, and weatherization. These can knock $50–$1,000 off a project that lowers your bill for years.

Watch the peak hours

Many muni utilities use tiered or time-of-use pricing. Shifting laundry, dishwashing, and EV charging out of late-afternoon hours can move usage into a cheaper tier.

Ask about assistance

Income-qualified residents may qualify for bill assistance, payment plans, or weatherization help. Call CPS Energy directly — these programs are real but rarely advertised.

Rooftop solar

CPS Energy customers can install solar and receive credit for what they send back to the grid. The economics differ from deregulated areas, so get a proposal that uses San Antonio-specific rates.

Moving to San Antonio?

To start service, call CPS Energy directly — there's no online plan comparison because there's no plan to compare. You'll typically need your new address, move-in date, ID, and a Social Security number or deposit. Same-day or next-day connection is usually possible if you call before noon.

Call CPS Energy: 210-353-2222

Helpful resources for San Antonio residents

Texas

CPS Energy

Learn about CPS Energy service area and compare electricity plans for San Antonio.

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All Texas TDUs

Browse all Texas TDU service areas and compare electricity rates across the state.

View all TDUs

Texas Electricity

Learn how Texas electricity choice works and how San Antonio residents can save money.

Learn more

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Frequently Asked Questions About San Antonio Electricity

To compare electricity rates in San Antonio, enter your ZIP code on ElectricRates.org to see real-time rates from licensed providers serving the CPS Energy service area. You can compare fixed-rate, variable-rate, and renewable energy plans side by side based on your estimated monthly usage.

Electricity rates in San Antonio vary based on plan type, contract term, and usage level. As of 2026, residential rates in the CPS Energy service area typically range from 8-15 cents per kWh for fixed-rate plans. Use our rate comparison tool to see current rates specific to your ZIP code.

Yes, San Antonio is in Texas's deregulated electricity market. Residents in Bexar County can choose from dozens of licensed retail electricity providers. Your transmission and distribution utility (CPS Energy) delivers the power, but you select which company supplies your electricity.

Switching electricity providers in San Antonio is simple: 1) Compare rates using your ZIP code, 2) Choose a plan that fits your needs, 3) Sign up online with your CPS Energy account number, 4) Your new provider handles the switch—no service interruption. The process takes 1-2 billing cycles.

CPS Energy is the Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU) serving San Antonio and surrounding areas in Bexar County. They own and maintain the power lines, meters, and infrastructure that deliver electricity to your home. While you choose your retail electricity provider, CPS Energy handles outages, meter readings, and power delivery.

Yes, many electricity providers offer 100% renewable energy plans in San Antonio. These plans source electricity from wind and solar farms across Texas. Green Mountain Energy, Chariot Energy, and other providers offer competitive renewable options in the CPS Energy service area.

If you don't actively choose a retail electricity provider in San Antonio, you'll be assigned to a Provider of Last Resort (POLR) at rates typically higher than competitive market rates. We recommend comparing plans and selecting a provider to ensure you're getting the best rate for your usage.

Your San Antonio electricity bill includes: your retail provider's energy charges (the rate you pay per kWh), CPS Energy delivery charges (transmission fees), taxes, and any applicable fees. The total is based on your monthly kWh usage multiplied by these combined rates. Most providers offer all-in pricing that simplifies comparison.

Have more questions about electricity in San Antonio? Check rates for your ZIP code

About Texas electricity choice: Texas deregulated its electricity market in 2002 — but San Antonio isn't part of that market. Most of the state's other large cities are. Learn how Texas electricity choice works and which cities can shop.

Need help choosing?