Is Tampa Electric Co cheaper than City of Lakeland?

No — in 2024 Tampa Electric Co customers averaged 14.67 cents/kWh versus 11.40 for City of Lakeland (EIA-861). City of Lakeland was cheaper by 3.27 cents, about $353 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from Tampa Electric Co to City of Lakeland?

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

Why is Tampa Electric Co more expensive than City of Lakeland?

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 Tampa Electric and City of Lakeland territory all feed the 3.27-cent gap.

Tampa Electric Co vs City of Lakeland: Which Is Cheaper? (Florida, 2024)

City of Lakeland customers paid less: an average 11.40¢/kWh in 2024 versus 14.67¢/kWh at Tampa Electric Co (EIA-861) — a gap of 3.27¢/kWh, worth about $353 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 1 FL county (Polk). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address.

Side by side (FL, EIA-861)

Tampa Electric Co vs City of Lakeland — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	Tampa Electric Co	City of Lakeland
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	14.67	11.40
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	16.60	12.26
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$1,584	$1,231
Residential customers (2024)	757,280	121,604
Ownership	Investor-owned	Municipal
Counties served in FL	4	1

Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Tampa Electric Co · City of Lakeland · Florida overview.

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Polk county (FL, 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; Tampa Electric Co and City of Lakeland do not compete for the same meters. Florida is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (floridapsc.com). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.

Questions people ask

Is Tampa Electric Co cheaper than City of Lakeland?: No — in 2024 Tampa Electric Co customers averaged 14.67 cents/kWh versus 11.40 for City of Lakeland (EIA-861). City of Lakeland was cheaper by 3.27 cents, about $353 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from Tampa Electric Co to City of Lakeland?: No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Florida has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
Why is Tampa Electric Co more expensive than City of Lakeland?: 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 Tampa Electric and City of Lakeland territory all feed the 3.27-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.