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Philadelphia Electricity Rates (2026): PECO Price to Compare & How to Pay Less
Philadelphia electricity rates are set in two parts: PECO delivers the power to every home, but you choose who generates it. PECO’s default “Price to Compare” is about 11.6¢/kWh as of June 1, 2026. If a competitive supplier on PA Power Switch beats that rate, you pay less for the exact same electricity — same wires, same reliability.
TL;DR
- PECO is your delivery utility; generation is open to competition.
- The number to beat is the Price to Compare (~11.6¢/kWh, June 2026), updated quarterly.
- Shop fixed-rate suppliers at PA Power Switch; switching is free and PECO still handles outages and billing.
- Avoid variable rates that can spike after an intro period.
What is the PECO Price to Compare?
The Price to Compare (PTC) is PECO’s default generation rate — what you pay per kilowatt-hour if you never shop for a supplier. As of June 1, 2026 it’s roughly 11.6¢/kWh for residential customers, and PECO resets it every quarter (March 1, June 1, September 1, December 1). It’s the single number every competitive offer should be measured against: if a supplier’s fixed rate is below the PTC, you save; if it’s above, you’re overpaying.
Definition — “Price to Compare”: the per-kWh generation rate PECO charges by default. It exists specifically so you can compare a supplier’s rate apples-to-apples against the utility’s standard offer.
How are Philadelphia electricity rates structured?
Your bill has two halves:
- Delivery (PECO): regulated, fixed, and the same no matter who you buy generation from. This covers the poles, wires, and outage response.
- Generation/supply: the competitive part. You can stay on PECO’s Price to Compare or pick a supplier on PA Power Switch.
Switching suppliers changes only the generation line. PECO still reads your meter, sends one bill, and restores power after storms.
Philadelphia electricity rate comparison (June 2026)
| Option | Rate type | Approx. rate | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PECO Price to Compare (default) | Utility standard | ~11.6¢/kWh | Doing nothing / baseline |
| Fixed-rate supplier (12–24 mo) | Locked | Often below PTC | Budget certainty, beating the default |
| Variable-rate supplier | Floating | Starts low, can spike | Rarely worth it for households |
| Renewable/green plans | Fixed or variable | Varies | Buyers wanting 100% renewable |
Rates change quarterly and by supplier — always confirm the live Price to Compare and current offers on PA Power Switch before switching.
How to lower your Philadelphia electricity bill
- Find your Price to Compare. It’s printed on your PECO bill and listed on PA Power Switch.
- Compare fixed-rate offers below the PTC on PA Power Switch (the PA Public Utility Commission’s official shopping site).
- Choose a fixed term (12–24 months) and avoid variable rates with teaser pricing.
- Check for cancellation fees and intro-rate expirations before you sign.
- Switch — it’s free, takes one or two billing cycles, and never interrupts service.
Pro tip: A fixed rate protects you from the quarterly PTC swings. When PECO’s default jumps in the summer, a locked supplier rate keeps your generation cost flat.
Stat lines (citable)
- PECO’s residential Price to Compare is about 11.6¢/kWh as of June 1, 2026, reset quarterly.
- Pennsylvania has been a deregulated electricity market since 1996, so every PECO customer can choose their generation supplier.
- Switching suppliers changes only the generation portion of the bill — delivery and reliability stay with PECO.
Setting up power for a move or near a Philadelphia campus?
If you’re moving within Philadelphia or setting up a new place — including Fall move-ins near Temple, Drexel, or Penn — line up electricity, internet, and home security in the same sitting.
Philadelphia is a major college city, and every fall brings a wave of students and families setting up service. Temple University anchors the Cecil B. Moore area of North Philadelphia, while the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University sit in University City — the easternmost stretch of West Philadelphia, just across the Schuylkill River from Center City. Whether you’re landing in University City, Powelton Village, Fishtown, South Philly, or anywhere served by the School District of Philadelphia, the move triggers everything at once. Lock in your electricity plan against the PECO Price to Compare first, then compare Philadelphia internet providers, and look at home security options for a new rental or first home. Doing all three together beats chasing separate sites the week of your move.
Related reading
- Best Electricity Rates in Pennsylvania 2026
- PA Price to Compare
- Deregulated Electricity States
- How to Compare Energy Plans & Save Money 2026
FAQ
Are Philadelphia electricity rates regulated?
Delivery is regulated and handled by PECO. Generation is deregulated — you can buy it from PECO at the Price to Compare or from a competitive supplier on PA Power Switch.
What is PECO’s Price to Compare right now?
About 11.6¢/kWh as of June 1, 2026. PECO updates it every quarter, so check your bill or PA Power Switch for the live figure.
Will switching suppliers affect my reliability?
No. PECO still owns the wires, reads your meter, sends your bill, and restores power after outages. Only the generation rate changes.
Is it free to switch electricity suppliers in Philadelphia?
Yes. Switching through PA Power Switch is free. Watch for a supplier’s own early-termination fee if you leave a fixed contract early.
Should I choose a fixed or variable rate?
For most households, a fixed rate below the Price to Compare is the safer choice. Variable rates can start cheap and spike with the market.
Sources: PA Power Switch, PA Public Utility Commission, and PECO.
By the Utility Search Marketplace team — Last updated June 2026.
