Is City of Seattle cheaper than City of Tacoma?

No — in 2024 City of Seattle customers averaged 14.09 cents/kWh versus 10.81 for City of Tacoma (EIA-861). City of Tacoma was cheaper by 3.27 cents, about $354 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from City of Seattle to City of Tacoma?

No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Washington has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.

Why is City of Seattle more expensive than City of Tacoma?

EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between City of Seattle and City of Tacoma territory all feed the 3.27-cent gap.

City of Seattle vs City of Tacoma: Which Is Cheaper? (Washington, 2024)

City of Tacoma customers paid less: an average 10.81¢/kWh in 2024 versus 14.09¢/kWh at City of Seattle (EIA-861) — a gap of 3.27¢/kWh, worth about $354 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 1 WA county (King). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address.

Side by side (WA, EIA-861)

City of Seattle vs City of Tacoma — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	City of Seattle	City of Tacoma
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	14.09	10.81
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	12.78	10.37
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$1,522	$1,168
Residential customers (2024)	459,964	180,357
Ownership	Municipal	Municipal
Counties served in WA	1	4

Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: City of Seattle · City of Tacoma · Washington overview.

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: King county (WA, 2024).

Adjoining or overlapping territory in a county does not mean households there can pick between the two — service maps are parcel-level and fixed. The county overlap mainly matters when choosing where to live or comparing town-level costs.

Can you actually choose between them?

No — not for delivery. Distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; City of Seattle and City of Tacoma do not compete for the same meters. Washington is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (utc.wa.gov). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.

Questions people ask

Is City of Seattle cheaper than City of Tacoma?: No — in 2024 City of Seattle customers averaged 14.09 cents/kWh versus 10.81 for City of Tacoma (EIA-861). City of Tacoma was cheaper by 3.27 cents, about $354 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from City of Seattle to City of Tacoma?: No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Washington has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
Why is City of Seattle more expensive than City of Tacoma?: EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between City of Seattle and City of Tacoma territory all feed the 3.27-cent gap.

About these numbers. Rates shown are averages computed from federal regulatory filings (EIA Form 861) and public tariff databases — confirm with your utility before making decisions; your actual rate depends on your tariff, usage, and riders. Distribution utility is determined by address and generally cannot be chosen; in retail-choice states you may choose your supplier for the supply portion of the bill. Savings figures use 10,800 kWh/yr (US average residential usage) and are estimates, not quotes. EnergySavings is an independent data project by CertiHomes and is not affiliated with any utility, supplier, or government agency.