Is Imperial Irrigation District cheaper than City of Riverside?

Yes — in 2024 Imperial Irrigation District customers averaged 17.91 cents/kWh versus 20.20 for City of Riverside (EIA-861). Imperial Irrigation District was cheaper by 2.29 cents, about $247 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from City of Riverside to Imperial Irrigation District?

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

Why is City of Riverside more expensive than Imperial Irrigation District?

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 Riverside and Imperial Irrigation District territory all feed the 2.29-cent gap.

Imperial Irrigation District vs City of Riverside: Which Is Cheaper? (California, 2024)

Imperial Irrigation District customers paid less: an average 17.91¢/kWh in 2024 versus 20.20¢/kWh at City of Riverside (EIA-861) — a gap of 2.29¢/kWh, worth about $247 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 1 CA county (Riverside). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address.

Side by side (CA, EIA-861)

Imperial Irrigation District vs City of Riverside — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	Imperial Irrigation District	City of Riverside
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	17.91	20.20
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	17.58	18.37
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$1,935	$2,181
Residential customers (2024)	142,078	100,450
Ownership	Public district	Municipal
Counties served in CA	3	1

Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Imperial Irrigation District · City of Riverside · California overview.

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Riverside county (CA, 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; Imperial Irrigation District and City of Riverside do not compete for the same meters. California is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (cpuc.ca.gov). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.

Questions people ask

Is Imperial Irrigation District cheaper than City of Riverside?: Yes — in 2024 Imperial Irrigation District customers averaged 17.91 cents/kWh versus 20.20 for City of Riverside (EIA-861). Imperial Irrigation District was cheaper by 2.29 cents, about $247 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from City of Riverside to Imperial Irrigation District?: No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. California has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
Why is City of Riverside more expensive than Imperial Irrigation District?: 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 Riverside and Imperial Irrigation District territory all feed the 2.29-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.