How JCP&L compares with the utilities next door
| Utility | 2024 ¢/kWh | Customers | Δ vs JCP&L, ¢/kWh | $/yr difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) (this page) | 15.65 | 964,802 | — | — |
| Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G) | 20.42 | 1,966,950 | +4.77 | +$515 |
| Rockland Electric (RECO) | 21.04 | 63,679 | +5.40 | +$583 |
| Atlantic City Electric | 23.41 | 472,020 | +7.77 | +$839 |
3 bundled utilities (≥5,000 customers) share at least one county with JCP&L. Positive $/yr = that utility's customers pay more than JCP&L 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 Jersey (see below).
Rate trend and size
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average price, ¢/kWh | 14.00 | 15.65 | +11.7% |
| Residential customers | 945,888 | 964,802 | +2.0% |
Ownership: Investor Owned. Including delivery-only/third-party-supply accounts, JCP&L serves 1,038,258 residential customers in NJ. Statewide context: New Jersey electricity rates.
Current residential tariff snapshot (URDB)
| Fixed charge | Energy rate, $/kWh | Effective |
|---|---|---|
| $4.27/mo | 0.161–0.230 | Jul 2025 |
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 JCP&L bill
New Jersey has residential electric supply choice: JCP&L 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: nj.gov/njpowerswitch.
Both electric and gas choice (EDECA 1999). Dual-fuel default utility: PSE&G (Public Service Electric & Gas). Default electric supply (BGS) bought in annual statewide auctions — 2026 BGS-RSCP clearing prices, effective 2026-06-01 (3-yr tranches): PSE&G 10.938 c/kWh, JCP&L 11.327, ACE 11.275, RECO 12.057. Customer price-to-compare blends the three latest auction vintages + reconciliation + SUT; published per-EDC by NJ BPU (njpowerswitch.com). Gas price-to-compare = BGS-GSS $/therm per gas utility (NJNG, ETG, SJG, PSE&G).
Counties served (NJ, EIA-861 2024)
Burlington · Essex · Hunterdon · Mercer · Middlesex · Monmouth · Morris · Ocean · Passaic · Somerset · Sussex · Union · Warren
Head-to-head comparisons
- Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G) vs Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L)
- Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) vs Atlantic City Electric
- Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) vs Rockland Electric (RECO)
Questions people ask
- Is Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) more expensive than other New Jersey utilities?
- Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) customers paid an average 15.65 cents/kWh in 2024 — 18% below the New Jersey volume-weighted average of 19.16 cents (EIA-861, bundled residential service).
- Can I switch away from Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L)?
- You cannot switch the wires company — distribution territory is fixed by address. New Jersey does allow supply choice, so you can buy the supply portion of the bill from a licensed competitor via nj.gov/njpowerswitch if its offer beats the price to compare.
- How many customers does Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) have?
- 964,802 residential customers in New Jersey in 2024 across 13 counties, per its EIA-861 federal filing. Ownership type: investor-owned.