Is Nashville Electric Service cheaper than Middle Tennessee E M C?

No — in 2024 Nashville Electric Service customers averaged 13.47 cents/kWh versus 11.76 for Middle Tennessee E M C (EIA-861). Middle Tennessee E M C was cheaper by 1.71 cents, about $184 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from Nashville Electric Service to Middle Tennessee E M C?

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

Why is Nashville Electric Service more expensive than Middle Tennessee E M C?

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 Nashville Electric Service and Middle Tennessee E M C territory all feed the 1.71-cent gap.

Nashville Electric Service vs Middle Tennessee E M C: Which Is Cheaper? (Tennessee, 2024)

Middle Tennessee E M C customers paid less: an average 11.76¢/kWh in 2024 versus 13.47¢/kWh at Nashville Electric Service (EIA-861) — a gap of 1.71¢/kWh, worth about $184 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 3 TN counties (Rutherford, Williamson, Wilson). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address.

Side by side (TN, EIA-861)

Nashville Electric Service vs Middle Tennessee E M C — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	Nashville Electric Service	Middle Tennessee E M C
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	13.47	11.76
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	13.44	11.35
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$1,455	$1,271
Residential customers (2024)	417,640	307,370
Ownership	Municipal	Co-op
Counties served in TN	7	8

Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Nashville Electric Service · Middle Tennessee E M C · Tennessee overview.

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Rutherford · Williamson · Wilson counties (TN, 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; Nashville Electric Service and Middle Tennessee E M C do not compete for the same meters. Tennessee is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (tn.gov/tpuc.html). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.

Questions people ask

Is Nashville Electric Service cheaper than Middle Tennessee E M C?: No — in 2024 Nashville Electric Service customers averaged 13.47 cents/kWh versus 11.76 for Middle Tennessee E M C (EIA-861). Middle Tennessee E M C was cheaper by 1.71 cents, about $184 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from Nashville Electric Service to Middle Tennessee E M C?: No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Tennessee has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
Why is Nashville Electric Service more expensive than Middle Tennessee E M C?: 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 Nashville Electric Service and Middle Tennessee E M C territory all feed the 1.71-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.