Is Puget Sound Energy Inc cheaper than PUD No 1 of Snohomish County?

No — in 2024 Puget Sound Energy Inc customers averaged 14.63 cents/kWh versus 11.51 for PUD No 1 of Snohomish County (EIA-861). PUD No 1 of Snohomish County was cheaper by 3.12 cents, about $337 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from Puget Sound Energy Inc to PUD No 1 of Snohomish County?

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

Why is Puget Sound Energy Inc more expensive than PUD No 1 of Snohomish County?

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 Puget Sound Energy and PUD No 1 of Snohomish County territory all feed the 3.12-cent gap.

Puget Sound Energy Inc vs PUD No 1 of Snohomish County: Which Is Cheaper? (Washington, 2024)

PUD No 1 of Snohomish County customers paid less: an average 11.51¢/kWh in 2024 versus 14.63¢/kWh at Puget Sound Energy Inc (EIA-861) — a gap of 3.12¢/kWh, worth about $337 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 1 WA county (Island). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address.

Side by side (WA, EIA-861)

Puget Sound Energy Inc vs PUD No 1 of Snohomish County — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	Puget Sound Energy Inc	PUD No 1 of Snohomish County
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	14.63	11.51
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	13.30	10.70
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$1,581	$1,243
Residential customers (2024)	1,091,599	346,532
Ownership	Investor-owned	Public district
Counties served in WA	8	2

Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Puget Sound Energy Inc · PUD No 1 of Snohomish County · Washington overview.

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Island county (WA, 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; Puget Sound Energy Inc and PUD No 1 of Snohomish County do not compete for the same meters. Washington is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (utc.wa.gov). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.

Questions people ask

Is Puget Sound Energy Inc cheaper than PUD No 1 of Snohomish County?: No — in 2024 Puget Sound Energy Inc customers averaged 14.63 cents/kWh versus 11.51 for PUD No 1 of Snohomish County (EIA-861). PUD No 1 of Snohomish County was cheaper by 3.12 cents, about $337 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from Puget Sound Energy Inc to PUD No 1 of Snohomish County?: No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Washington has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
Why is Puget Sound Energy Inc more expensive than PUD No 1 of Snohomish County?: 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 Puget Sound Energy and PUD No 1 of Snohomish County territory all feed the 3.12-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.