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EnergySavings · New York · Comparison

NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas) vs Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E): who pays less in New York?

Data as of: EIA-861 annual 2024 (released 2025) · EIA monthly state prices February 2026 · EIA weekly heating-fuel survey Mar 30, 2026 · retail-choice registry reviewed Jun 2026 · URDB tariffs pulled Jun 2026. Page generated 2026-06-12.

NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas) customers paid less: an average 18.32¢/kWh in 2024 versus 18.76¢/kWh at Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E) (EIA-861) — a gap of 0.44¢/kWh, worth about $48 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 5 NY counties (Allegany, Livingston, Ontario, …). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address, though in New York both utilities' customers can shop the supply portion of the bill.

Side by side (NY, EIA-861)

NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas) vs Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E) — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
MetricNYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas)Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E)
2024 average price, ¢/kWh18.3218.76
2023 average price, ¢/kWh15.5316.13
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr$1,979$2,026
Residential customers (2024)735,192294,053
OwnershipInvestor-ownedInvestor-owned
Fixed monthly charge (URDB)$19.00/mo$23.99/mo
Energy rate range, $/kWh (URDB)0.1660.165
Counties served in NY447

Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas) · Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E) · New York overview.

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Allegany · Livingston · Ontario · Wayne · Wyoming counties (NY, 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; NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas) and Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E) do not compete for the same meters. New York 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 dps.ny.gov. The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.

Questions people ask

Is NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas) cheaper than Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E)?
Yes — in 2024 NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas) customers averaged 18.32 cents/kWh versus 18.76 for Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E) (EIA-861). NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas) was cheaper by 0.44 cents, about $48 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E) to NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas)?
No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. New York does allow supply choice: either utility's customers can shop the supply portion at dps.ny.gov if an offer beats the utility's price to compare.
Why is Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E) more expensive than NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas)?
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 RG&E and NYSEG territory all feed the 0.44-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.