Is Southwest Louisiana E M C cheaper than City of Lafayette?

No — in 2024 Southwest Louisiana E M C customers averaged 11.55 cents/kWh versus 10.12 for City of Lafayette (EIA-861). City of Lafayette was cheaper by 1.43 cents, about $154 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from Southwest Louisiana E M C to City of Lafayette?

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

Why is Southwest Louisiana E M C more expensive than City of Lafayette?

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 Southwest Louisiana E M C and City of Lafayette territory all feed the 1.43-cent gap.

Southwest Louisiana E M C vs City of Lafayette: Which Is Cheaper? (Louisiana, 2024)

City of Lafayette customers paid less: an average 10.12¢/kWh in 2024 versus 11.55¢/kWh at Southwest Louisiana E M C (EIA-861) — a gap of 1.43¢/kWh, worth about $154 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 1 LA county (Lafayette). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address.

Side by side (LA, EIA-861)

Southwest Louisiana E M C vs City of Lafayette — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	Southwest Louisiana E M C	City of Lafayette
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	11.55	10.12
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	11.57	10.16
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$1,248	$1,093
Residential customers (2024)	108,368	59,961
Ownership	Co-op	Municipal
Counties served in LA	9	1

Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Southwest Louisiana E M C · City of Lafayette · Louisiana overview.

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Lafayette county (LA, 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; Southwest Louisiana E M C and City of Lafayette do not compete for the same meters. Louisiana is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (lpsc.louisiana.gov). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.

Questions people ask

Is Southwest Louisiana E M C cheaper than City of Lafayette?: No — in 2024 Southwest Louisiana E M C customers averaged 11.55 cents/kWh versus 10.12 for City of Lafayette (EIA-861). City of Lafayette was cheaper by 1.43 cents, about $154 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from Southwest Louisiana E M C to City of Lafayette?: No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Louisiana has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
Why is Southwest Louisiana E M C more expensive than City of Lafayette?: 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 Southwest Louisiana E M C and City of Lafayette territory all feed the 1.43-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.