Denton Has a Municipal Utility

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

Denton 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.

Electricity in Denton, TX: Why You Can't Shop

Denton is served by Denton Municipal Electric, 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.

Quick Answer

You can't shop for electricity in Denton. Denton Municipal Electric is your only option — there's no retail competition here. Your rate is set by Rates set by Denton 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 Denton Municipal Electric offers.

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

Denton is one of the few Texas cities with its own municipal electric utility, serving nearly 140,000 residents.

Denton runs its own electric utility, Denton Municipal Electric, so shopping for providers works differently here. Check current rates and options for your address.

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 Denton Municipal Electric, 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. Denton Municipal Electric customers should contact the city for rate information.

How to lower your Denton Municipal Electric bill

Take the rebates

Denton Municipal Electric 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 Denton Municipal Electric directly — these programs are real but rarely advertised.

Rooftop solar

Denton Municipal Electric 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 Denton-specific rates.

Moving to Denton?

To start service, call Denton Municipal Electric 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 Denton Municipal Electric: 940-349-8700

Page content verified:

How do I compare electricity rates in Denton, Texas?

You don't — and that's the short answer most Denton residents don't get from search results. Denton is served by Denton Municipal Electric, a municipal utility, so the Texas deregulated retail market (the one most of the state uses under Senate Bill 7 and the Public Utility Commission of Texas) doesn't reach here. There's no Power to Choose comparison, no retail electric providers competing for your address, and no shopping around. Your rate is set by the city council or utility board. The practical move is to read your Denton Municipal Electric rate schedule directly and look for usage tiers, time-of-use options, or assistance programs the utility administers.

What's the cheapest electricity plan in Denton?

Denton Municipal Electric is the only option for Denton residents — there's no cheapest plan to pick because there's no plan competition. What you can control is usage: efficient HVAC and weatherization rebates from Denton Municipal Electric typically pay back faster here than in deregulated Texas, because rates are stable rather than promotional. Income-qualified customers can also ask Denton Municipal Electric about bill assistance and payment plans. If you're renting in Denton and your bill seems out of line, request the utility's rate schedule and check whether you're on the right tariff (residential, time-of-use, or all-electric) for how your home actually uses power.

How is Denton electricity different from a flat statewide rate?

Texas doesn't have a flat statewide rate. About 85% of the state runs on the ERCOT grid with deregulated retail competition under Senate Bill 7 — residents pick from 50+ PUCT-licensed providers. The other 15% (including Denton) sits in municipal or cooperative territory where the local utility, Denton Municipal Electric, sets the rate. That means your bill reflects Denton's generation mix, transmission costs, and operating expenses — not a competitive REP market. Rates here are typically more stable than ERCOT's deregulated market, but you can't shop your way to a lower price the way Houston, Dallas, or Fort Worth residents can.

Frequently Asked Questions About Denton Electricity

To compare electricity rates in Denton, enter your ZIP code on ElectricRates.org to see current rates from licensed providers serving the Denton Municipal Electric 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 Denton vary based on plan type, contract term, and usage level. As of 2026, residential rates in the Denton Municipal Electric 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, Denton is in Texas's deregulated electricity market. Residents in Denton County can choose from dozens of licensed retail electricity providers. Your transmission and distribution utility (Denton Municipal Electric) delivers the power, but you select which company supplies your electricity.

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

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

Yes, many electricity providers offer 100% renewable energy plans in Denton. 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 Denton Municipal Electric service area.

If you don't actively choose a retail electricity provider in Denton, 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 Denton electricity bill includes: your retail provider's energy charges (the rate you pay per kWh), Denton Municipal Electric 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 Denton? Check rates for your ZIP code

ZIP Codes

Denton ZIP Codes

Denton has 6 ZIP codes with electricity choice. Click any ZIP code to compare electricity rates for that area.

Oncor Service Area

(6 ZIPs)

Looking for electricity rates in Denton? Enter your ZIP code above to compare plans from top electricity providers. All 6 Denton ZIP codes have access to competitive electricity rates through Texas's deregulated energy market.

About Texas electricity choice: Texas deregulated its electricity market in 2002 — but Denton 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?