How Massachusetts Electric compares with the utilities next door
| Utility | 2024 ¢/kWh | Customers | Δ vs Massachusetts Electric, ¢/kWh | $/yr difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town of Hudson | 13.39 | 11,448 | -20.21 | -$2,183 |
| Town of Littleton | 14.12 | 6,738 | -19.48 | -$2,104 |
| Town of Shrewsbury | 14.27 | 15,713 | -19.33 | -$2,087 |
| Town of Mansfield | 15.16 | 9,399 | -18.44 | -$1,991 |
| City of Peabody | 15.71 | 22,546 | -17.89 | -$1,932 |
| Town of Braintree | 15.79 | 14,039 | -17.81 | -$1,924 |
| Town of Middleborough | 15.84 | 14,884 | -17.76 | -$1,918 |
| Town of Reading | 15.86 | 27,405 | -17.74 | -$1,916 |
| Town of North Attleborough | 15.91 | 12,607 | -17.69 | -$1,911 |
| City of Chicopee | 16.16 | 23,218 | -17.43 | -$1,883 |
| Town of Wellesley | 16.20 | 9,437 | -17.40 | -$1,879 |
| Massachusetts Electric Co (this page) | 33.60 | 526,437 | — | — |
18 bundled utilities (≥5,000 customers) share at least one county with Massachusetts Electric. Showing the 11 cheapest. Positive $/yr = that utility's customers pay more than Massachusetts Electric 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 Massachusetts (see below).
Where Massachusetts Electric customers pay more (county benchmark)
| County | Cheapest utility in county | Their ¢/kWh | Massachusetts Electric premium, $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | Town of Hudson | 13.39 | +$2,183 |
| Worcester | Town of Shrewsbury | 14.27 | +$2,087 |
| Bristol | Town of Mansfield | 15.16 | +$1,991 |
| Essex | City of Peabody | 15.71 | +$1,932 |
| Norfolk | Town of Braintree | 15.79 | +$1,924 |
| Plymouth | Town of Middleborough | 15.84 | +$1,918 |
| Hampden | City of Chicopee | 16.16 | +$1,883 |
| Barnstable | NSTAR Electric Company | 29.91 | +$398 |
Multiple utilities in one county means adjoining territories, not household choice — you cannot switch wires companies. In Massachusetts you can shop the supply portion regardless of county. Showing the 8 highest-premium counties of 12 served.
Rate trend and size
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average price, ¢/kWh | 36.72 | 33.60 | -8.5% |
| Residential customers | 573,012 | 526,437 | -8.1% |
Ownership: Investor Owned. Including delivery-only/third-party-supply accounts, Massachusetts Electric serves 1,210,113 residential customers in MA. Statewide context: Massachusetts electricity rates.
Supply vs delivery on a Massachusetts Electric bill
Massachusetts has residential electric supply choice: Massachusetts Electric 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: mass.gov.
Electric choice (basic service = price-to-compare). Residential gas supplier choice authorized; supplier activity thin.
Counties served (MA, EIA-861 2024)
Barnstable · Berkshire · Bristol · Essex · Franklin · Hampden · Hampshire · Middlesex · Norfolk · Plymouth · Suffolk · Worcester
Head-to-head comparisons
Questions people ask
- Is Massachusetts Electric Co more expensive than other Massachusetts utilities?
- Massachusetts Electric Co customers paid an average 33.60 cents/kWh in 2024 — 24% above the Massachusetts volume-weighted average of 27.12 cents (EIA-861, bundled residential service).
- Can I switch away from Massachusetts Electric Co?
- You cannot switch the wires company — distribution territory is fixed by address. Massachusetts does allow supply choice, so you can buy the supply portion of the bill from a licensed competitor via mass.gov if its offer beats the price to compare.
- How many customers does Massachusetts Electric Co have?
- 526,437 residential customers in Massachusetts in 2024 across 12 counties, per its EIA-861 federal filing. Ownership type: investor-owned.