How ALLETE compares with the utilities next door
| Utility | 2024 ¢/kWh | Customers | Δ vs ALLETE, ¢/kWh | $/yr difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otter Tail Power Co | 11.34 | 50,118 | -4.33 | -$467 |
| Brainerd Public Utilities | 12.15 | 6,956 | -3.52 | -$380 |
| Lake Region Electric Cooperative | 13.28 | 27,239 | -2.39 | -$258 |
| Crow Wing Cooperative Power & Light Comp | 13.33 | 44,698 | -2.33 | -$252 |
| Itasca-Mantrap Co-op Electrical Assn | 13.44 | 11,200 | -2.23 | -$241 |
| Stearns Cooperative Elec Assn | 13.88 | 26,138 | -1.79 | -$193 |
| Meeker Coop Light & Power Assn | 14.09 | 8,572 | -1.57 | -$170 |
| Runestone Electric Assn | 14.36 | 14,282 | -1.30 | -$141 |
| Beltrami Electric Coop, Inc | 14.40 | 20,732 | -1.27 | -$137 |
| Wright-Hennepin Coop Elec Assn | 14.59 | 53,714 | -1.07 | -$116 |
| ALLETE, Inc. (this page) | 15.66 | 125,896 | — | — |
| East Central Energy | 16.89 | 55,250 | +1.22 | +$132 |
14 bundled utilities (≥5,000 customers) share at least one county with ALLETE. Showing the 11 cheapest. Positive $/yr = that utility's customers pay more than ALLETE customers at the same usage. Territories are fixed by address — these gaps measure cost differences between areas, not options you can pick between.
Where ALLETE customers pay more (county benchmark)
| County | Cheapest utility in county | Their ¢/kWh | ALLETE premium, $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook | City of Marshall | 9.70 | +$645 |
| Cass | Otter Tail Power Co | 11.34 | +$467 |
| Otter Tail | Otter Tail Power Co | 11.34 | +$467 |
| Todd | Otter Tail Power Co | 11.34 | +$467 |
| Crow Wing | Brainerd Public Utilities | 12.15 | +$380 |
| Wadena | Lake Region Electric Cooperative | 13.28 | +$258 |
| Morrison | Crow Wing Cooperative Power & Light Comp | 13.33 | +$252 |
| Hubbard | Itasca-Mantrap Co-op Electrical Assn | 13.44 | +$241 |
Multiple utilities in one county means adjoining territories, not household choice — you cannot switch wires companies. Showing the 8 highest-premium counties of 17 served.
Rate trend and size
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average price, ¢/kWh | 14.04 | 15.66 | +11.6% |
| Residential customers | 125,573 | 125,896 | +0.3% |
Ownership: Investor Owned. Statewide context: Minnesota electricity rates.
Supply vs delivery on a ALLETE bill
Minnesota is a regulated retail market — ALLETE customers cannot choose a different supplier; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings. Official information: mn.gov/puc.
Counties served (MN, EIA-861 2024)
Aitkin · Benton · Carlton · Cass · Cook · Crow Wing · Hubbard · Itasca · Koochiching · Lake · Morrison · Otter Tail · Pine · St Louis · Stearns · Todd · Wadena
Head-to-head comparisons
- Northern States Power Co - Minnesota vs ALLETE, Inc.
- ALLETE, Inc. vs East Central Energy
- ALLETE, Inc. vs Wright-Hennepin Coop Elec Assn
- ALLETE, Inc. vs Otter Tail Power Co
Questions people ask
- Is ALLETE, Inc. more expensive than other Minnesota utilities?
- ALLETE, Inc. customers paid an average 15.66 cents/kWh in 2024 — in line with the Minnesota volume-weighted average of 15.64 cents (EIA-861, bundled residential service).
- Can I switch away from ALLETE, Inc.?
- No — distribution territory is fixed by address and Minnesota has no residential supplier shopping. Rate changes go through the state utility commission (mn.gov/puc).
- How many customers does ALLETE, Inc. have?
- 125,896 residential customers in Minnesota in 2024 across 17 counties, per its EIA-861 federal filing. Ownership type: investor-owned.