Ohio
Ohio electricity rates and suppliers
Compare licensed suppliers, see current rates by utility, and switch in minutes. Ohio has been a deregulated electricity market since 1999.
Reviewed by Volt Butler editorial team • Updated June 2026 • Source: EIA + PUCO
See what you could pay in Ohio
Ohio at a glance
18.78¢
Average residential rate per kWh
6.19¢
Lowest plan available
6
Distribution utilities
888+
Active plans available
Rate data from U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) • Apples to Apples
Ohio's electricity utilities
Ohio has 6 distribution utilities serving residential customers. Click on any utility to see available suppliers and current rates.
Ohio cities we cover
Compare electricity rates for 150 OH cities and towns.
Columbus
Pop. 906,480
AEP Ohio
Cleveland
Pop. 367,523
Cincinnati
Pop. 309,595
Toledo
Pop. 268,461
Akron
Pop. 189,526
Dayton
Pop. 136,741
Parma
Pop. 80,131
Canton
Pop. 70,105
Lorain
Pop. 65,207
Hamilton
Pop. 63,124
Youngstown
Pop. 59,605
Springfield
Pop. 58,410
Kettering
Pop. 57,442
Elyria
Pop. 52,833
Cuyahoga Falls
Pop. 50,864
Middletown
Pop. 50,607
Newark
Pop. 50,393
Lakewood
Pop. 50,229
Dublin
Pop. 49,031
Euclid
Pop. 48,991
OH-licensed electricity suppliers
Ohio has 51+ PUCO-licensed residential suppliers. Here are the major brands serving OH customers.
You choose who supplies your power — and what you pay
Ohio deregulated electricity in 1999. That means you can shop for a cheaper rate while keeping your utility for delivery and outages.
Same reliable delivery
Your utility still maintains the lines and handles outages. Nothing changes there.
Shop the generation rate
The "supply" portion of your bill is where you can save. Compare it to your utility's Standard Service Offer (SSO).
Green options available
Many suppliers offer 100% renewable plans — often at competitive rates with traditional generation.
Ready to compare rates in your area?
Your electricity bill
How it breaks down
Fixed by your utility — can't change
You can shop this portion
Switching suppliers only affects your generation rate — your delivery stays the same.
Ohio electricity rate trends
Current rate
18.78¢/kWh
vs. last year
+7.3%
51+
PUCO-licensed residential suppliers
888+
Active plans on Apples to Apples
1-2
billing cycles to complete a supplier switch
How to switch electricity suppliers in Ohio
Find your SSO
Check your utility bill for your current Standard Service Offer (SSO). This is the benchmark rate to beat.
Compare supplier offers
Use Apples to Apples or compare suppliers here. Look at the rate, contract term, and cancellation fees.
Enroll with your new supplier
Sign up online or by phone. Your utility handles the switch automatically. Expect 1-2 billing cycles.
Ohio-specific notes
- • Your distribution utility never changes — only your supplier
- • No service interruption during the switch
- • You can switch back to default service at any time (subject to contract terms)
- • Apples to Apples is the official state comparison tool
Frequently asked questions
- Is Ohio a deregulated electricity state?
- Yes. Ohio deregulated its electricity market in 1999 through Senate Bill 3. Residential and business customers can choose their electricity supplier while their local utility continues to handle delivery.
- Who regulates electricity suppliers in Ohio?
- The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) licenses and regulates all Competitive Retail Electric Service (CRES) providers operating in the state. Suppliers must meet financial, technical, and consumer protection requirements to maintain their license.
- What is Apples to Apples?
- Apples to Apples (energychoice.ohio.gov) is the official Ohio-sponsored shopping website for comparing electricity and natural gas offers. It's maintained by the PUCO and provides standardized offer comparisons.
- What is the Standard Service Offer?
- The Standard Service Offer (SSO) is the default electricity supply rate charged by your utility if you don't choose a competitive supplier. Rates are set through PUCO-conducted auctions. Compare supplier rates against your SSO to evaluate potential savings.
- How is my distribution rate different from my supply rate?
- Your electricity bill has two main components. The distribution rate covers delivery — the poles, wires, meters, and utility service. This stays with your utility and doesn't change when you switch suppliers. The supply rate covers electricity generation — this is the part you can shop for with competitive suppliers.
- Can I switch back to default service if I switch suppliers?
- Yes. You can return to your utility's Standard Service Offer at any time. However, if you're under contract with a supplier, you may owe an early termination fee. Once you switch back, you'll pay the current SSO rate.
- How long does switching electricity suppliers take in Ohio?
- Switching typically takes 1-2 billing cycles (30-60 days) to complete. During this time, your service continues uninterrupted — there's no gap or outage. Your new supplier rate will appear on your bill after the switch is processed by your utility.
Related guides
How Energy Choice Works in Ohio
Understanding Ohio's deregulated electricity market
How to Switch Providers in Ohio
Step-by-step guide to switching suppliers
Shopping for Electricity in Ohio
Tips for comparing plans on Apples to Apples
Fixed vs Variable Rate Plans
Which plan type makes sense for your household
Ready to compare Ohio electricity rates?
Enter your ZIP code to see available suppliers and rates in your area.
Free comparison • 51+ PUCO-licensed suppliers • EIA-cited data