How Central Hudson compares with the utilities next door
| Utility | 2024 ¢/kWh | Customers | Δ vs Central Hudson, ¢/kWh | $/yr difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Grid (Niagara Mohawk) | 17.22 | 1,430,208 | -7.92 | -$856 |
| NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas) | 18.32 | 735,192 | -6.82 | -$737 |
| Orange & Rockland Utilities | 23.31 | 170,465 | -1.84 | -$199 |
| Central Hudson Gas & Electric (this page) | 25.14 | 229,592 | — | — |
3 bundled utilities (≥5,000 customers) share at least one county with Central Hudson. Positive $/yr = that utility's customers pay more than Central Hudson customers at the same usage. Territories are fixed by address — these gaps measure cost differences between areas, while the supply portion is separately shoppable in New York (see below).
Where Central Hudson customers pay more (county benchmark)
| County | Cheapest utility in county | Their ¢/kWh | Central Hudson premium, $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | National Grid (Niagara Mohawk) | 17.22 | +$856 |
| Columbia | National Grid (Niagara Mohawk) | 17.22 | +$856 |
| Dutchess | NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas) | 18.32 | +$737 |
| Greene | NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas) | 18.32 | +$737 |
| Orange | NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas) | 18.32 | +$737 |
| Putnam | NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas) | 18.32 | +$737 |
| Ulster | NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas) | 18.32 | +$737 |
Multiple utilities in one county means adjoining territories, not household choice — you cannot switch wires companies. In New York you can shop the supply portion regardless of county.
Rate trend and size
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average price, ¢/kWh | 25.12 | 25.14 | +0.1% |
| Residential customers | 241,785 | 229,592 | -5.0% |
Ownership: Investor Owned. Including delivery-only/third-party-supply accounts, Central Hudson serves 270,859 residential customers in NY. Statewide context: New York electricity rates.
Current residential tariff snapshot (URDB)
| Fixed charge | Energy rate, $/kWh | Effective |
|---|---|---|
| $22.50/mo | 0.281 | Mar 2026 |
Tariff structure (tiers, time-of-use, riders) determines your marginal rate; the EIA-861 average above reflects what customers actually paid all-in. Source: OpenEI URDB.
Supply vs delivery on a Central Hudson bill
New York has residential electric supply choice: Central Hudson delivers the power and bills a default supply rate, but you may buy the supply portion from a licensed competitor instead. Compare offers against the price to compare on the state's official shopping site: dps.ny.gov.
Full retail access for electric and gas via ESCOs in all major IOU territories (reset 2019 ESCO order: ESCOs must beat utility rate or be 100% renewable).
Counties served (NY, EIA-861 2024)
Albany · Columbia · Dutchess · Greene · Orange · Putnam · Ulster
Head-to-head comparisons
- National Grid (Niagara Mohawk) vs Central Hudson Gas & Electric
- NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas) vs Central Hudson Gas & Electric
- Central Hudson Gas & Electric vs Orange & Rockland Utilities
Questions people ask
- Is Central Hudson Gas & Electric more expensive than other New York utilities?
- Central Hudson Gas & Electric customers paid an average 25.14 cents/kWh in 2024 — 4% above the New York volume-weighted average of 24.16 cents (EIA-861, bundled residential service).
- Can I switch away from Central Hudson Gas & Electric?
- You cannot switch the wires company — distribution territory is fixed by address. New York does allow supply choice, so you can buy the supply portion of the bill from a licensed competitor via dps.ny.gov if its offer beats the price to compare.
- How many customers does Central Hudson Gas & Electric have?
- 229,592 residential customers in New York in 2024 across 7 counties, per its EIA-861 federal filing. Ownership type: investor-owned.