How Empire District Electric compares with the utilities next door
| Utility | 2024 ¢/kWh | Customers | Δ vs Empire District Electric, ¢/kWh | $/yr difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Webster Electric Coop | 10.20 | 18,820 | -4.79 | -$518 |
| City Utilities of Springfield | 11.46 | 105,029 | -3.52 | -$380 |
| Laclede Electric Coop, Inc | 11.73 | 35,026 | -3.26 | -$352 |
| Southwest Electric Coop, Inc | 11.99 | 41,386 | -3.00 | -$324 |
| Howell-Oregon Elec Coop, Inc | 12.54 | 23,101 | -2.45 | -$264 |
| Evergy Missouri West | 12.55 | 305,583 | -2.44 | -$263 |
| New-Mac Electric Coop, Inc | 12.63 | 19,445 | -2.36 | -$255 |
| Carroll Electric Coop Corp | 12.70 | 12,109 | -2.29 | -$247 |
| Osage Valley Elec Coop Assn | 14.00 | 16,945 | -0.99 | -$107 |
| City of Carthage | 14.06 | 7,106 | -0.93 | -$100 |
| Ozark Electric Coop Inc | 14.07 | 31,534 | -0.91 | -$99 |
| Empire District Electric Co (this page) | 14.99 | 142,537 | — | — |
12 bundled utilities (≥5,000 customers) share at least one county with Empire District Electric. Showing the 11 cheapest. Positive $/yr = that utility's customers pay more than Empire District Electric customers at the same usage. Territories are fixed by address — these gaps measure cost differences between areas, not options you can pick between.
Where Empire District Electric customers pay more (county benchmark)
| County | Cheapest utility in county | Their ¢/kWh | Empire District Electric premium, $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christian | Webster Electric Coop | 10.20 | +$518 |
| Dallas | Webster Electric Coop | 10.20 | +$518 |
| Greene | Webster Electric Coop | 10.20 | +$518 |
| Webster | Webster Electric Coop | 10.20 | +$518 |
| Cedar | Southwest Electric Coop, Inc | 11.99 | +$324 |
| Dade | Southwest Electric Coop, Inc | 11.99 | +$324 |
| Hickory | Southwest Electric Coop, Inc | 11.99 | +$324 |
| Polk | Southwest Electric Coop, Inc | 11.99 | +$324 |
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 | 15.94 | 14.99 | -5.9% |
| Residential customers | 139,947 | 142,537 | +1.9% |
Ownership: Investor Owned. Statewide context: Missouri electricity rates.
Supply vs delivery on a Empire District Electric bill
Missouri is a regulated retail market — Empire District Electric customers cannot choose a different supplier; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings. Official information: psc.mo.gov.
Counties served (MO, EIA-861 2024)
Barry · Barton · Cedar · Christian · Dade · Dallas · Greene · Hickory · Jasper · Lawrence · McDonald · Newton · Polk · St Clair · Stone · Taney · Webster
Head-to-head comparisons
- Evergy Missouri West vs Empire District Electric Co
- Empire District Electric Co vs City Utilities of Springfield
Questions people ask
- Is Empire District Electric Co more expensive than other Missouri utilities?
- Empire District Electric Co customers paid an average 14.99 cents/kWh in 2024 — 17% above the Missouri volume-weighted average of 12.85 cents (EIA-861, bundled residential service).
- Can I switch away from Empire District Electric Co?
- No — distribution territory is fixed by address and Missouri has no residential supplier shopping. Rate changes go through the state utility commission (psc.mo.gov).
- How many customers does Empire District Electric Co have?
- 142,537 residential customers in Missouri in 2024 across 17 counties, per its EIA-861 federal filing. Ownership type: investor-owned.