Boston Electricity Rates Complete Guide to Eversource, Community Choice, and Savings

Boston, Massachusetts residents face some of the highest electricity costs in the nation, paying approximately 28¢/kWh total compared to the national average of 17¢. Boston electricity snapshot:

• Average rate: ~28¢/kWh (vs. 17¢ national average)
• Average monthly bill: ~$162 (vs. $144 national average)
• Utility: Eversource Energy

Your three electricity options:

• Eversource Basic Service – Utility default rate
• Boston Community Choice Electricity (BCCE) – Municipal aggregation (most residents auto-enrolled)
• Competitive suppliers – Third-party options (caution advised)

💡 Why this matters: Electricity supply costs represent 70-80% of total bills. The right choice can result in significant savings and renewable energy benefits.

Eversource Energy serves as the electric distribution utility for Boston and Greater Boston. Eversource service area:

• Total customers: ~1.4 million across eastern Massachusetts
• Regulation: Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU)

What Eversource handles (regardless of your supplier):

• Distribution infrastructure
• Outage response
• Meter reading

Your bill components:

• Distribution charges – Delivery infrastructure (stays constant)
• Supply charges – From Eversource Basic Service, BCCE, or competitive supplier

💡 Distribution charges remain constant regardless of supplier choice. Only supply charges change.

Eversource Basic Service rate for Boston residential customers is 14.884¢/kWh (as of August 2025). Rate breakdown:

• Basic Service: 14.884¢/kWh (12.3% increase from previous 13.2¢)
• BCCE Standard: Typically lower than Basic Service
• Total cost (with delivery): ~28¢/kWh

Rate update schedule:

• February and August (twice yearly)

Pricing options:

• Six-month fixed price – Default option
• Monthly variable pricing – Alternative option

⚠️ Note: Boston's high electricity costs make comparing options especially important for managing household expenses.

Boston Community Choice Electricity is the city municipal aggregation program providing electricity supply to approximately 80% of Boston residents. BCCE program tiers:

• Optional Basic – Lowest cost, 24% renewable
• Standard – Default tier, higher renewable percentage
• Optional Green 100 – 100% local renewable energy

Key features:

• Auto-enrollment: Eligible Eversource customers automatically enrolled
• Rate stability: Valid December 2025 through November 2027
• BCCE Standard typically beats Eversource Basic Service
• Opt-out anytime: Switch to Basic Service or competitive supplier

Administration:

• City of Boston Environment Department
• Supplied through competitive procurement

⚠️ Warning: Some competitive suppliers charge more than double BCCE rates. BCCE often represents the best value.

⚠️ Boston residents should exercise significant caution with competitive electricity suppliers. The data is concerning:

• MA Attorney General findings: Third-party suppliers charged Massachusetts residents $525 million more than utility Basic Service (2015-2021)
• City of Boston reports: Some competitive supplier rates are more than double BCCE Standard rates

Common issues with competitive suppliers:

• Attractive introductory rates that increase substantially
• Aggressive marketing tactics
• Final costs often higher than utility or BCCE

Better options for most Boston residents:

• Boston Community Choice Electricity (BCCE)
• Eversource Basic Service

💡 If considering a competitive supplier, compare total costs over the full contract term, not just introductory rates.

Boston residents should carefully compare their electricity supply options. Option comparison:

• Eversource Basic Service: 14.884¢/kWh, rates change every 6 months
• BCCE: Typically lower than Basic Service, includes renewable energy, longer rate stability
• Competitive suppliers: Vary widely (some competitive, others much higher)

When comparing, note:

• Supply rate per kWh
• Contract term
• Automatic renewal terms
• Early termination fees

Important: Eversource distribution charges remain constant regardless of supplier choice. Focus comparisons on supply rates only. 💡 Benchmark: BCCE Standard requires no shopping effort while typically providing competitive rates with renewable energy.

Boston Eversource electric bills separate charges into distribution and supply components. Distribution charges (constant):

• Customer charge (fixed monthly fee)
• Transmission charges
• Various surcharges and assessments

Supply charges (70-80% of bill, variable):

• Eversource Basic Service, BCCE, or competitive supplier rate

Boston average costs:

• Total rate: ~28¢/kWh (nearly double national average)
• Supply portion: 70-80% of bill
• Delivery portion: 20-30% of bill

Your bill shows:

• Total kWh consumed
• Current rates
• Supplier information

💡 Key insight: Only supply charges change with supplier choice. Focus comparison shopping there.

Given Boston's high electricity costs, savings strategies are especially important. Supply choice strategies:

• BCCE Optional Basic – Lowest cost for budget-conscious customers
• BCCE Standard – Good balance of cost and renewables
• BCCE Optional Green 100 – If environmental impact matters
• Eversource Basic Service – Alternative utility option

Mass Save efficiency programs:

• Rebates on efficient appliances
• No-cost home energy assessments
• Weatherization incentives

DIY efficiency improvements (critical for New England winters):

• LED lighting
• Smart thermostats
• Weatherization/insulation

Assistance programs:

• Fuel assistance programs – Through Action for Boston Community Development
• Budget billing – Spread annual costs evenly

Eversource handles all power outages throughout Boston regardless of your electricity supplier. How to report outages:

• 📞 Call: 1-800-592-2000
• 📱 App: Eversource mobile app
• 💻 Online: Outage map at eversource.com

Common causes of Boston outages:

• Nor'easters
• Winter ice storms
• Summer thunderstorms
• High winds affecting tree-lined neighborhoods

Grid improvements:

• Smart meters installed
• Automated switching equipment
• Improved reliability and restoration speed

🚨 Emergency: Downed power lines – call immediately and stay away from the hazard. 💡 Tip: Sign up for Eversource outage alerts (text, email, or phone).

Eversource contacts:

• 📞 Customer service/outages: 1-800-592-2000
• 💻 Online: eversource.com

Boston Community Choice Electricity:

• 💻 boston.gov/departments/environment/community-choice-electricity
• 📞 Boston 311

Complaints and consumer assistance:

• 📞 Massachusetts DPU: 1-877-886-5066
• MA Attorney General Energy and Telecommunications Division

Energy efficiency programs:

• 💻 Mass Save: masssave.com or 1-866-527-7283

Energy assistance:

• 📞 Action for Boston Community Development: 617-357-6000
• LIHEAP heating assistance
• Discount rate programs