Average Electricity Usage in Texas

If your electricity bill seems high, you’re not imagining things.

The average Texas home uses 1,132 kWh per month—29% more than the national average. This isn’t because Texans are wasteful. It’s because we run air conditioning six to eight months per year in a climate that regularly hits triple digits. The electricity industry knows this. They’ve priced plans accordingly.

At current rates of 14-15 cents per kWh, that translates to roughly $160-170 monthly bills—and $250+ during summer. Understanding your usage isn’t just interesting data. It’s the first step to figuring out if your current plan is ripping you off.

Texas vs. National Average: Why We Use More

Texas households consume significantly more electricity than the rest of the country. Here’s why:

The climate factor: Texas summers regularly hit 100°F with high humidity, forcing air conditioning systems to run 6-8 months per year. [DATA: Air conditioning accounts for 50-70% of summer electric bills in Texas], compared to roughly 28% of annual usage nationwide.

Larger homes: The average Texas home is 2,170 square feet, compared to the U.S. average of 2,014 square feet. More square footage means more space to cool, heat, and light. If you live in a larger home, providers like Reliant Energy and TXU Energy offer plans optimized for high usage households.

Lifestyle amenities: Texas homeownership culture includes pool pumps, larger refrigerators, multiple entertainment systems, and increasingly, electric vehicle charging—all adding to the kWh tally.

The result? Texans use about 1,096-1,144 kWh monthly according to EIA data, while the national average hovers around 863 kWh.

Average Electricity Usage by Home Size

Your home size is the single biggest predictor of electricity usage. Here’s what’s typical in Texas:

Apartments (500-1,000 sq ft)

Average usage: 400-700 kWh/month

Apartments benefit from shared walls, smaller square footage, and limited AC zones. A typical 750 sq ft one-bedroom apartment uses around 405 kWh monthly, or 4,857 kWh annually. Two-bedroom apartments (1,000 sq ft) average 540 kWh per month. For apartment-specific recommendations, see our guide on best electricity for apartments.

The range is wide because upper-floor units get hotter (more AC), while ground-floor units stay cooler naturally. Newer apartment complexes with energy-efficient HVAC systems trend toward the lower end.

Small Homes (1,000-1,500 sq ft)

Average usage: 800-1,000 kWh/month

Small homes use less electricity than the Texas average but still more than apartments. You’re cooling more square footage and likely have a full-size washer, dryer, and multiple rooms with individual climate control needs.

Expect usage closer to 800 kWh in spring and fall, climbing to 1,000-1,200 kWh during peak summer months.

Medium Homes (1,500-2,500 sq ft)

Average usage: 1,000-1,400 kWh/month

This is the sweet spot for Texas housing stock. The average home at 2,170 square feet falls squarely in this range, with usage around 1,132-1,194 kWh monthly. [DATA: At 0.504 kWh per square foot per month], a 2,000 sq ft home uses about 1,008 kWh monthly.

Summer can push this to 1,400+ kWh when AC runs constantly. Mild months (March-April, October-November) typically see 900-1,000 kWh.

Large Homes (2,500-4,000 sq ft)

Average usage: 1,400-2,200 kWh/month

Large homes face exponential energy demands. More square footage, multiple HVAC zones, larger water heaters, and typically more occupants all drive usage higher.

Expect 1,600-1,800 kWh in mild months, climbing to 2,000-2,200 kWh during peak summer. Homes with pools, home offices, or luxury features (wine fridges, multiple refrigerators) can exceed 2,500 kWh monthly.

Very Large Homes (4,000+ sq ft)

Average usage: 2,000-3,500 kWh/month

At this size, you’re dealing with substantial electricity bills year-round. Usage of 2,500-3,000 kWh monthly is common, with summer peaks hitting 3,500+ kWh.

These homes often have multiple HVAC systems, pools with pumps and heaters, dedicated home theaters, and smart home systems that add incremental load.

Seasonal Variation: Summer Dominates

Texas electricity usage isn’t constant—it swings dramatically with the seasons.

Summer (June-September)

Average usage: 1,400+ kWh/month (30-50% higher than baseline)

Summer is the peak season. Air conditioning drives this spike, adding [DATA: 400-800 kWh monthly] compared to mild months. For the average home using 1,132 kWh annually, summer months can hit 1,400-1,600 kWh as AC battles triple-digit heat.

Houston, with its oppressive humidity, sees even higher spikes—homes routinely use 1,500-1,800 kWh monthly as AC units run nearly 24/7 to maintain comfort.

Fall & Spring (March-May, October-November)

Average usage: 800-1,000 kWh/month

These are the relief months. Milder temperatures mean less HVAC demand, bringing usage closer to 800-900 kWh. You’re running lights, appliances, and electronics but not constantly cycling air conditioning.

This is when you see your “baseline” usage—the electricity your home uses without extreme heating or cooling.

Winter (December-February)

Average usage: 900-1,100 kWh/month

Texas winters are generally mild, but occasional cold snaps drive up heating costs. Homes with electric heating see larger spikes; those with gas heat see more modest increases.

Winter usage typically sits around 900-1,000 kWh monthly—higher than spring/fall due to heating, but well below summer peaks.

Key insight: Summer AC is the dominant driver. [EXAMPLE: Air conditioning accounts for 50-70% of summer bills], making it the single biggest lever you have to control electricity costs.

Regional Differences Within Texas

Not all Texas regions use electricity equally. Climate variations, home age, and local building codes all play a role.

Houston / Gulf Coast

Average usage: 1,200-1,300 kWh/month

Houston leads Texas in electricity consumption due to relentless humidity and heat. [DATA: The average Houston home uses around 1,300 kWh monthly]. High humidity forces AC units to work harder to dehumidify air, not just cool it, resulting in 15-20% higher usage compared to drier regions.

Average bills: $165-180/month at typical rates of 16-17 cents per kWh (Houston rates run slightly higher than the state average).

Dallas / Fort Worth

Average usage: 1,100 kWh/month

DFW sees hot summers but lower humidity than Houston, resulting in slightly lower AC demand. [DATA: Dallas households average around 1,100 kWh monthly], with summer peaks hitting 1,300-1,400 kWh.

Average bills: $155-175/month. Dallas enjoys slightly lower electricity rates than Houston, typically 14-15 cents per kWh.

Austin / Central Texas

Average usage: 1,050 kWh/month

Austin benefits from Hill Country breezes and slightly milder springs and falls. [DATA: Central Texas homes use approximately 1,050 kWh monthly], with summer peaks around 1,300 kWh.

Average bills: $150-170/month. Austin Energy (the municipal utility) serves parts of Austin, while deregulated areas see competitive rates of 13-15 cents per kWh.

San Antonio

Average usage: 1,000-1,100 kWh/month

San Antonio sits slightly lower in usage due to a mix of home sizes and older building stock with natural cooling features. As a regulated market served by CPS Energy, rates are fixed but competitive.

Average bills: $140-160/month at CPS Energy’s regulated rates.

What Drives High Electricity Usage?

Beyond home size and season, specific factors push usage higher:

1. Air Conditioning Habits

[DATA: Air conditioning accounts for 50% of total household electricity use in Texas homes]. Setting your thermostat 1 degree lower increases energy consumption by 6-8%. A home keeping the thermostat at 72°F uses significantly more electricity than one set to 78°F—the difference can be 300-400 kWh monthly in summer.

2. Water Heating

[DATA: Water heating accounts for 20% of residential electricity use]. Electric water heaters are major energy consumers, especially in homes with multiple bathrooms or families that take long showers.

3. Pool Pumps

Pool pumps add 200-500 kWh monthly depending on pump size and run time. Older single-speed pumps are the worst offenders; variable-speed pumps cut consumption by 50-70%.

4. Home Office Setups

Remote work has pushed usage higher. Multiple monitors, computers, printers, and extended HVAC usage during work-from-home hours add 100-200 kWh monthly compared to pre-pandemic patterns.

5. Older, Inefficient Appliances

[DATA: Older appliances consume significantly more power than modern energy-efficient models]. Refrigerators older than 10 years can use 3x more electricity than new ENERGY STAR models. Replace a 15-year-old fridge and save 40-60 kWh monthly.

6. Standby Power (“Energy Vampires”)

[DATA: Standby power accounts for 5-10% of residential energy use]. Devices that remain plugged in—cable boxes, game consoles, phone chargers—draw power even when “off.” This phantom load costs the average household $10-15 monthly.

How Your Usage Affects Your Bill

Usage isn’t just about kWh—it determines which electricity plan makes sense for you.

If you use 500-700 kWh/month (apartments, small homes):

Avoid plans with minimum usage fees
Look for flat-rate plans without usage penalties
Typical bill: $75-105/month at 14-15¢/kWh
See our best plans for low usage guide

If you use 1,000-1,500 kWh/month (average homes):

Most plans are priced for this range
Compare rates at your specific usage level
Typical bill: $140-210/month at 14-15¢/kWh

If you use 1,500-2,500 kWh/month (large homes):

Many plans get cheaper at high usage
Look for plans optimized for 2,000 kWh usage
Typical bill: $210-350/month at 14-15¢/kWh
Check our best providers for high usage homes for tailored options

If you use 2,500+ kWh/month (very large homes):

High-usage plans offer significant savings
Some plans drop to 11-12¢/kWh at this tier
Typical bill: $300-450/month

The difference between a 14¢/kWh plan and an 11¢/kWh plan at 2,000 kWh monthly usage? That’s $60 per month, or $720 annually.

How to Check Your Usage

Not sure where you stand? Here’s how to find your actual usage:

Check your electricity bill: Your kWh usage is listed prominently on every bill, usually near the top.
Log into your TDU portal:
- Oncor (Dallas): SmartMeterTexas.com
- CenterPoint (Houston): CenterPointEnergy.com
- AEP Texas: AEPTexas.com
- TNMP: TNMP.com
Review 12 months of usage: Look at your highest summer months vs. lowest spring/fall months to understand your usage pattern.
Calculate your average: Add up 12 months and divide by 12 for your annual average.

Understanding your usage pattern helps you choose the right electricity plan and identify opportunities to reduce consumption.

The Bottom Line

Texas homes use more electricity than most of the country—that’s the reality of our climate. The average 1,132 kWh per month isn’t “bad,” it’s normal for a state where air conditioning runs half the year.

What matters is understanding where you fall in that range:

Below 800 kWh: You’re in the low-usage category (apartments, energy-conscious small homes)
800-1,400 kWh: You’re average for Texas
1,400-2,200 kWh: High usage (large homes, pools, multiple occupants)
2,200+ kWh: Very high usage (very large homes, luxury amenities)

Once you know your usage pattern, you can choose an electricity plan optimized for your consumption level—which is often more impactful than trying to cut your usage dramatically.

Ready to find a plan that matches your usage? Compare electricity plans on ComparePower to see rates for your specific usage level.

Looking for plans by usage type?

Or learn more about reducing consumption:

Sources:

Average Electricity Usage in Texas: How Do You Compare?