How NSTAR Electric compares with the utilities next door
| Utility | 2024 ¢/kWh | Customers | Δ vs NSTAR Electric, ¢/kWh | $/yr difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town of Hudson | 13.39 | 11,448 | -16.53 | -$1,785 |
| Town of Littleton | 14.12 | 6,738 | -15.80 | -$1,706 |
| Town of Mansfield | 15.16 | 9,399 | -14.75 | -$1,593 |
| Town of Braintree | 15.79 | 14,039 | -14.13 | -$1,526 |
| Town of Middleborough | 15.84 | 14,884 | -14.08 | -$1,520 |
| Town of Reading | 15.86 | 27,405 | -14.06 | -$1,518 |
| Town of North Attleborough | 15.91 | 12,607 | -14.01 | -$1,513 |
| City of Chicopee | 16.16 | 23,218 | -13.75 | -$1,485 |
| Town of Wellesley | 16.20 | 9,437 | -13.71 | -$1,481 |
| City of Holyoke | 16.58 | 15,040 | -13.33 | -$1,440 |
| City of Westfield | 17.59 | 16,200 | -12.33 | -$1,331 |
| NSTAR Electric Company (this page) | 29.91 | 383,373 | — | — |
15 bundled utilities (≥5,000 customers) share at least one county with NSTAR Electric. Showing the 11 cheapest. Positive $/yr = that utility's customers pay more than NSTAR 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 NSTAR Electric customers pay more (county benchmark)
| County | Cheapest utility in county | Their ¢/kWh | NSTAR Electric premium, $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dukes | Town of Hudson | 13.39 | +$1,785 |
| Middlesex | Town of Hudson | 13.39 | +$1,785 |
| Bristol | Town of Mansfield | 15.16 | +$1,593 |
| Norfolk | Town of Braintree | 15.79 | +$1,526 |
| Plymouth | Town of Middleborough | 15.84 | +$1,520 |
| Hampden | City of Chicopee | 16.16 | +$1,485 |
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.
Rate trend and size
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average price, ¢/kWh | 29.66 | 29.91 | +0.8% |
| Residential customers | 409,760 | 383,373 | -6.4% |
Ownership: Investor Owned. Including delivery-only/third-party-supply accounts, NSTAR Electric serves 1,303,076 residential customers in MA. Statewide context: Massachusetts electricity rates.
Supply vs delivery on a NSTAR Electric bill
Massachusetts has residential electric supply choice: NSTAR 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 · Dukes · Franklin · Hampden · Hampshire · Middlesex · Norfolk · Plymouth · Suffolk
Head-to-head comparisons
Questions people ask
- Is NSTAR Electric Company more expensive than other Massachusetts utilities?
- NSTAR Electric Company customers paid an average 29.91 cents/kWh in 2024 — 10% above the Massachusetts volume-weighted average of 27.12 cents (EIA-861, bundled residential service).
- Can I switch away from NSTAR Electric Company?
- 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 NSTAR Electric Company have?
- 383,373 residential customers in Massachusetts in 2024 across 11 counties, per its EIA-861 federal filing. Ownership type: investor-owned.