Is DTE Electric Company cheaper than Consumers Energy Co?

No — in 2024 DTE Electric Company customers averaged 20.13 cents/kWh versus 19.11 for Consumers Energy Co (EIA-861). Consumers Energy Co was cheaper by 1.02 cents, about $110 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from DTE Electric Company to Consumers Energy Co?

No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Michigan does allow supply choice: either utility's customers can shop the supply portion at michigan.gov/mpsc if an offer beats the utility's price to compare.

Why is DTE Electric Company more expensive than Consumers Energy Co?

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 DTE Electric and Consumers Energy territory all feed the 1.02-cent gap.

DTE Electric Company vs Consumers Energy Co: Which Is Cheaper? (Michigan, 2024)

Consumers Energy Co customers paid less: an average 19.11¢/kWh in 2024 versus 20.13¢/kWh at DTE Electric Company (EIA-861) — a gap of 1.02¢/kWh, worth about $110 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 17 MI counties (Bay, Branch, Genesee, …). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address, though in Michigan both utilities' customers can shop the supply portion of the bill.

Side by side (MI, EIA-861)

DTE Electric Company vs Consumers Energy Co — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	DTE Electric Company	Consumers Energy Co
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	20.13	19.11
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	19.70	18.82
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$2,174	$2,064
Residential customers (2024)	2,067,758	1,657,843
Ownership	Investor-owned	Investor-owned
Counties served in MI	23	60

Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: DTE Electric Company · Consumers Energy Co · Michigan overview.

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Bay · Branch · Genesee · Gratiot · Ingham · Isabella · Lapeer · Lenawee · Livingston · Midland · Monroe · Montcalm · Oakland · Saginaw · Shiawassee · Tuscola · Washtenaw counties (MI, 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; DTE Electric Company and Consumers Energy Co do not compete for the same meters. Michigan does have retail supply choice: customers of either utility may buy the supply portion from a licensed third-party supplier, or stay on the utility's default supply rate. An offer only saves money if it beats your utility's price to compare (printed on the bill); compare offers at michigan.gov/mpsc. The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.

Questions people ask

Is DTE Electric Company cheaper than Consumers Energy Co?: No — in 2024 DTE Electric Company customers averaged 20.13 cents/kWh versus 19.11 for Consumers Energy Co (EIA-861). Consumers Energy Co was cheaper by 1.02 cents, about $110 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from DTE Electric Company to Consumers Energy Co?: No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Michigan does allow supply choice: either utility's customers can shop the supply portion at michigan.gov/mpsc if an offer beats the utility's price to compare.
Why is DTE Electric Company more expensive than Consumers Energy Co?: 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 DTE Electric and Consumers Energy territory all feed the 1.02-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.