Side by side (PA, EIA-861)
| Metric | PECO Energy | PPL Electric Utilities |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 average price, ¢/kWh | 16.16 | 16.99 |
| 2023 average price, ¢/kWh | 16.18 | 19.55 |
| Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr | $1,746 | $1,835 |
| Residential customers (2024) | 1,205,013 | 797,773 |
| Ownership | Investor-owned | Investor-owned |
| Fixed monthly charge (URDB) | $11.30/mo | $15.52/mo |
| Energy rate range, $/kWh (URDB) | 0.205 | 0.180 |
| Counties served in PA | 6 | 33 |
Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: PECO Energy · PPL Electric Utilities · Pennsylvania overview.
Where the territories meet
Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Bucks · Chester · Montgomery · York counties (PA, 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; PECO Energy and PPL Electric Utilities do not compete for the same meters. Pennsylvania 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 papowerswitch.com. The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.
Questions people ask
- Is PECO Energy cheaper than PPL Electric Utilities?
- Yes — in 2024 PECO Energy customers averaged 16.16 cents/kWh versus 16.99 for PPL Electric Utilities (EIA-861). PECO Energy was cheaper by 0.83 cents, about $89 per year at 10,800 kWh.
- Can I switch from PPL Electric Utilities to PECO Energy?
- No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Pennsylvania does allow supply choice: either utility's customers can shop the supply portion at papowerswitch.com if an offer beats the utility's price to compare.
- Why is PPL Electric Utilities more expensive than PECO Energy?
- 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 PPL and PECO territory all feed the 0.83-cent gap.