How LIPA compares with the utilities next door
| Utility | 2024 ¢/kWh | Customers | Δ vs LIPA, ¢/kWh | $/yr difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Village of Freeport | 14.12 | 13,353 | -10.45 | -$1,129 |
| Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) (this page) | 24.57 | 1,029,943 | — | — |
| Con Edison | 35.66 | 2,715,069 | +11.09 | +$1,198 |
2 bundled utilities (≥5,000 customers) share at least one county with LIPA. Positive $/yr = that utility's customers pay more than LIPA 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 LIPA customers pay more (county benchmark)
| County | Cheapest utility in county | Their ¢/kWh | LIPA premium, $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nassau | Village of Freeport | 14.12 | +$1,129 |
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 | 22.33 | 24.57 | +10.0% |
| Residential customers | 1,028,014 | 1,029,943 | +0.2% |
Ownership: State. Including delivery-only/third-party-supply accounts, LIPA serves 1,029,955 residential customers in NY. Statewide context: New York electricity rates.
Current residential tariff snapshot (URDB)
| Fixed charge | Energy rate, $/kWh | Effective |
|---|---|---|
| $16.80/mo | 0.236–0.265 | Jan 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 LIPA bill
New York has residential electric supply choice: LIPA 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)
Nassau · Queens · Suffolk
Head-to-head comparisons
Questions people ask
- Is Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) more expensive than other New York utilities?
- Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) customers paid an average 24.57 cents/kWh in 2024 — 2% above the New York volume-weighted average of 24.16 cents (EIA-861, bundled residential service).
- Can I switch away from Long Island Power Authority (LIPA)?
- 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 Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) have?
- 1,029,943 residential customers in New York in 2024 across 3 counties, per its EIA-861 federal filing. Ownership type: state-owned.