Paying more for worse power

207 US utilities charge their customers more than the median and leave them without power longer than the median. Worst of all, Great Lakes Energy Coop in Michigan bills 20.32¢ per kWh — 1.45× the median — while its customers averaged 73.3 hours without electricity across the year, 24.8× the median.

Rate comparison sites publish prices. Regulators publish outage statistics. Neither puts the two in the same table, so this comparison mostly does not get made. Both columns below come from the same federal filing, 2025 data.

#	Utility	State	Price	Outage time/yr	Typical bill
1	Great Lakes Energy CoopCooperative · 123,277 homes	Michigan	20.32¢1.45× median	73.3 hrs24.8× median	$128.38
2	Southwest Mississippi E P ACooperative · 23,095 homes	Mississippi	15.34¢1.09× median	45.6 hrs15.4× median	$152.29
3	Black Hills Electric Coop, IncCooperative · 9,415 homes	South Dakota	14.79¢1.05× median	41.4 hrs14.0× median	$165.83
4	Grayson Rural Electric Coop CorpCooperative · 14,471 homes	Kentucky	15.99¢1.14× median	39.8 hrs13.5× median	$161.18
5	Southeastern IL Elec Coop, IncCooperative · 22,607 homes	Illinois	14.80¢1.05× median	36.9 hrs12.5× median	$180.79
6	Southside Electric Coop, IncCooperative · 57,305 homes	Virginia	15.48¢1.10× median	35.4 hrs12.0× median	$179.82
7	Big Sandy Rural Elec Coop CorpCooperative · 11,521 homes	Kentucky	14.81¢1.06× median	31.6 hrs10.7× median	$170.41
8	Washington Elec Member CorpCooperative · 15,170 homes	Georgia	15.36¢1.09× median	29.8 hrs10.1× median	$156.77
9	Citizens Electric Corporation - (MO)Cooperative · 24,997 homes	Missouri	15.24¢1.09× median	28.1 hrs9.5× median	$158.18
10	Corn Belt Energy CorporationCooperative · 34,952 homes	Illinois	15.59¢1.11× median	22.7 hrs7.7× median	$147.98
11	Southeast Colorado Power AssnCooperative · 8,169 homes	Colorado	17.92¢1.28× median	21.5 hrs7.3× median	$126.81
12	Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corp.Investor Owned · 33,339 homes	Michigan	17.46¢1.24× median	20.8 hrs7.0× median	$100.95
13	Magnolia Electric Power AssnCooperative · 31,161 homes	Mississippi	16.06¢1.14× median	21 hrs7.1× median	$175.46
14	Alger-Delta Coop Electric AssnCooperative · 9,837 homes	Michigan	23.20¢1.65× median	19.2 hrs6.5× median	$107.99
15	Matanuska Electric Assn IncCooperative · 65,371 homes	Alaska	24.54¢1.75× median	18.9 hrs6.4× median	$144.43
16	Monongahela Power CoInvestor Owned · 334,336 homes	West Virginia	14.31¢1.02× median	20.8 hrs7.0× median	$133.32
17	South Central Indiana REMCCooperative · 35,216 homes	Indiana	17.54¢1.25× median	19.9 hrs6.7× median	$198.64
18	Tri-County Electric Coop (MI)Cooperative · 23,136 homes	Michigan	18.33¢1.31× median	19.2 hrs6.5× median	$152.12
19	Appalachian Power CoInvestor Owned · 467,581 homes	Virginia	17.16¢1.22× median	18.6 hrs6.3× median	$186.00
20	Jasper-Newton Elec Coop, IncCooperative · 21,316 homes	Texas	14.10¢1.00× median	19.1 hrs6.4× median	$156.22
21	Deep East Texas Elec Coop IncCooperative · 40,593 homes	Texas	14.05¢1.00× median	18.7 hrs6.3× median	$145.49
22	Midwest Energy Cooperative - (MI)Cooperative · 29,359 homes	Michigan	19.49¢1.39× median	16.9 hrs5.7× median	$189.09
23	Buckeye Rural Elec Coop, IncCooperative · 16,056 homes	Ohio	20.48¢1.46× median	16.6 hrs5.6× median	$223.62
24	Appalachian Power CoInvestor Owned · 347,654 homes	West Virginia	16.97¢1.21× median	17.2 hrs5.8× median	$196.40
25	Eastern Maine Electric CoopCooperative · 10,808 homes	Maine	19.36¢1.38× median	16.5 hrs5.6× median	$100.74
26	Ozarks Electric Coop Corp - (AR)Cooperative · 11,873 homes	Oklahoma	14.87¢1.06× median	17.4 hrs5.9× median	$149.10
27	Homer Electric Assn IncCooperative · 30,143 homes	Alaska	31.51¢2.25× median	13.4 hrs4.5× median	$149.43
28	Cloverland Electric Co-opCooperative · 36,144 homes	Michigan	14.27¢1.02× median	17 hrs5.7× median	$100.59
29	Southern Indiana Gas & Elec CoInvestor Owned · 134,700 homes	Indiana	19.78¢1.41× median	15.8 hrs5.3× median	$176.99
30	Indiana Michigan Power CoInvestor Owned · 112,973 homes	Michigan	17.19¢1.23× median	15.5 hrs5.2× median	$142.67
31	Kentucky Power CoInvestor Owned · 130,322 homes	Kentucky	15.95¢1.14× median	15.2 hrs5.1× median	$196.99
32	City of Marquette - (MI)Municipal · 15,202 homes	Michigan	16.77¢1.20× median	14.9 hrs5.0× median	$88.45
33	Jackson Energy Coop Corp - (KY)Cooperative · 49,590 homes	Kentucky	14.76¢1.05× median	15.3 hrs5.2× median	$174.77
34	Southern Indiana R E C, IncCooperative · 8,957 homes	Indiana	15.47¢1.10× median	14.9 hrs5.0× median	$157.43
35	Consumers Energy Co - (MI)Investor Owned · 1,662,741 homes	Michigan	20.66¢1.47× median	13.7 hrs4.6× median	$134.01
36	Carroll-White REMCCooperative · 14,853 homes	Indiana	15.45¢1.10× median	14 hrs4.7× median	$170.91
37	Cherokee County Elec Coop Assn - (TX)Cooperative · 22,613 homes	Texas	14.76¢1.05× median	14 hrs4.7× median	$171.11
38	Town of Shrewsbury - (MA)Municipal · 15,206 homes	Massachusetts	15.53¢1.11× median	13.8 hrs4.7× median	$119.61
39	Central Virginia Electric CoopCooperative · 35,353 homes	Virginia	16.16¢1.15× median	13.3 hrs4.5× median	$200.06
40	Haywood Electric Member CorpCooperative · 30,307 homes	North Carolina	16.86¢1.20× median	12.9 hrs4.4× median	$138.66
41	Southern Rivers EnergyCooperative · 20,770 homes	Georgia	16.35¢1.17× median	12.9 hrs4.4× median	$207.46
42	Egyptian Electric Coop AssnCooperative · 13,695 homes	Illinois	16.21¢1.16× median	12.9 hrs4.4× median	$195.84
43	City of LaFolletteMunicipal · 20,083 homes	Tennessee	14.33¢1.02× median	13.2 hrs4.5× median	$156.98
44	Liberty UtilitiesInvestor Owned · 44,507 homes	California	27.65¢1.97× median	10.2 hrs3.5× median	$141.13
45	Cullman Electric Coop, IncCooperative · 40,027 homes	Alabama	14.59¢1.04× median	13 hrs4.4× median	$183.62
46	Utilities Dist-Western IN REMCCooperative · 19,049 homes	Indiana	15.67¢1.12× median	12.7 hrs4.3× median	$176.29
47	Southern California Edison CoInvestor Owned · 3,262,177 homes	California	31.48¢2.24× median	9.1 hrs3.1× median	$149.07
48	Northern States Power CoInvestor Owned · 7,567 homes	Michigan	15.48¢1.10× median	12.3 hrs4.2× median	$92.96
49	Wheeling Power CoInvestor Owned · 34,202 homes	West Virginia	17.61¢1.26× median	11.8 hrs4.0× median	$165.54
50	Guernsey-Muskingum El Coop IncCooperative · 15,349 homes	Ohio	18.25¢1.30× median	11.6 hrs3.9× median	$177.93
51	North Arkansas Elec Coop, IncCooperative · 36,595 homes	Arkansas	14.17¢1.01× median	12.3 hrs4.2× median	$143.25
52	Mecklenburg Electric CooperativeCooperative · 30,077 homes	Virginia	14.32¢1.02× median	12 hrs4.1× median	$150.41
53	Y-W Electric Assn IncCooperative · 4,878 homes	Colorado	15.66¢1.12× median	11.7 hrs3.9× median	$121.70
54	Kenergy CorpCooperative · 47,514 homes	Kentucky	16.29¢1.16× median	11.5 hrs3.9× median	$200.19
55	FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric CoInvestor Owned · 1,471,463 homes	Pennsylvania	18.77¢1.34× median	10.8 hrs3.6× median	$165.99
56	Versant PowerInvestor Owned · 131,540 homes	Maine	30.15¢2.15× median	8.3 hrs2.8× median	$149.54
57	Bear Valley Electric ServiceInvestor Owned · 23,395 homes	California	41.12¢2.93× median	5.6 hrs1.9× median	$122.37
58	Wisconsin Public Service CorpInvestor Owned · 415,643 homes	Wisconsin	17.20¢1.23× median	10.5 hrs3.5× median	$105.93
59	Southern Pine Electric CooperativeCooperative · 65,580 homes	Mississippi	14.47¢1.03× median	10.8 hrs3.7× median	$168.66
60	Kauai Island Utility CooperativeCooperative · 30,335 homes	Hawaii	38.43¢2.74× median	5.6 hrs1.9× median	$212.58
61	Northern Indiana Pub Serv CoInvestor Owned · 433,889 homes	Indiana	22.05¢1.57× median	8.9 hrs3.0× median	$148.15
62	Daviess Martin County R E M CCooperative · 8,024 homes	Indiana	14.90¢1.06× median	10.3 hrs3.5× median	$193.08
63	Upper Peninsula Power CompanyInvestor Owned · 47,805 homes	Michigan	27.98¢1.99× median	7.4 hrs2.5× median	$124.96
64	Puget Sound Energy IncInvestor Owned · 1,104,338 homes	Washington	17.01¢1.21× median	9.7 hrs3.3× median	$146.74
65	PacifiCorpInvestor Owned · 36,339 homes	California	24.18¢1.72× median	8.1 hrs2.7× median	$200.43
66	Navasota Valley Elec Coop, IncCooperative · 19,861 homes	Texas	16.26¢1.16× median	9.5 hrs3.2× median	$158.91
67	Jemez Mountains Elec Coop, IncCooperative · 28,185 homes	New Mexico	15.76¢1.12× median	9.4 hrs3.2× median	$89.84
68	Tallapoosa River Elec Coop IncCooperative · 30,157 homes	Alabama	14.81¢1.06× median	9.4 hrs3.2× median	$171.82
69	Pacific Gas & Electric Co.Investor Owned · 1,738,444 homes	California	37.52¢2.67× median	4.5 hrs1.5× median	$173.95
70	Bolivar Energy AuthorityMunicipal · 8,913 homes	Tennessee	14.17¢1.01× median	9.4 hrs3.2× median	$168.57
71	Los Angeles Department of Water & PowerMunicipal · 1,415,602 homes	California	26.48¢1.89× median	6.8 hrs2.3× median	$124.20
72	Black Hills Power, Inc.Investor Owned · 67,608 homes	South Dakota	15.12¢1.08× median	9 hrs3.0× median	$105.88
73	Blue Ridge Elec Member Corp - (NC)Cooperative · 72,320 homes	North Carolina	14.92¢1.06× median	9 hrs3.0× median	$134.77
74	Bartholomew County Rural E M CCooperative · 11,493 homes	Indiana	14.53¢1.04× median	9.1 hrs3.1× median	$173.22
75	Newberry Electric Coop, IncCooperative · 13,215 homes	South Carolina	17.06¢1.22× median	8.5 hrs2.9× median	$172.19
76	Diverse Power IncorporatedCooperative · 32,557 homes	Georgia	17.23¢1.23× median	8.4 hrs2.8× median	$212.68
77	Florence Utility CommMunicipal · 1,432 homes	Wisconsin	16.89¢1.20× median	8.4 hrs2.8× median	$76.66
78	Blue Ridge Mountain EMC - (GA)Cooperative · 30,863 homes	Georgia	14.81¢1.06× median	8.6 hrs2.9× median	$141.39
79	Piedmont Electric Member CorpCooperative · 30,640 homes	North Carolina	15.63¢1.11× median	8.4 hrs2.8× median	$185.81
80	Cookson Hills Elec Coop, IncCooperative · 17,740 homes	Oklahoma	15.70¢1.12× median	8.1 hrs2.7× median	$182.08
81	Central Alabama Electric CoopCooperative · 45,580 homes	Alabama	17.21¢1.23× median	7.8 hrs2.6× median	$199.14
82	Central Maine Power CoInvestor Owned · 537,632 homes	Maine	27.41¢1.95× median	5.3 hrs1.8× median	$147.32
83	Rayle Electric Membership CorpCooperative · 16,474 homes	Georgia	14.64¢1.04× median	7.9 hrs2.7× median	$164.13
84	Jackson County Rural E M C - (IN)Cooperative · 24,354 homes	Indiana	14.40¢1.03× median	7.9 hrs2.7× median	$193.51
85	Glades Electric Coop, IncCooperative · 14,819 homes	Florida	18.27¢1.30× median	7.1 hrs2.4× median	$199.47
86	Decatur County Rural E M CCooperative · 8,187 homes	Indiana	15.02¢1.07× median	7.7 hrs2.6× median	$183.87
87	Lake Country PowerCooperative · 47,386 homes	Minnesota	18.34¢1.31× median	6.9 hrs2.3× median	$160.13
88	Sam Houston Electric Coop IncCooperative · 88,424 homes	Texas	14.18¢1.01× median	7.8 hrs2.6× median	$167.81
89	Central Hudson Gas & Elec CorpInvestor Owned · 246,232 homes	New York	27.67¢1.97× median	4.8 hrs1.6× median	$192.60
90	Meade County Rural E C CCooperative · 29,572 homes	Kentucky	15.26¢1.09× median	7.4 hrs2.5× median	$157.74
91	Rappahannock Electric CoopCooperative · 172,883 homes	Virginia	15.49¢1.10× median	7.1 hrs2.4× median	$185.19
92	West Florida El Coop Assn, IncCooperative · 26,632 homes	Florida	16.65¢1.19× median	6.9 hrs2.3× median	$182.08
93	Jersey Central Power & Lt CoInvestor Owned · 955,852 homes	New Jersey	18.39¢1.31× median	6.5 hrs2.2× median	$144.81
94	City of Pulaski - (TN)Municipal · 12,496 homes	Tennessee	14.10¢1.00× median	7.4 hrs2.5× median	$169.45
95	Jackson Purchase Energy CorporationCooperative · 23,989 homes	Kentucky	17.66¢1.26× median	6.6 hrs2.2× median	$214.41
96	Talquin Electric Coop, IncCooperative · 54,454 homes	Florida	15.24¢1.09× median	7 hrs2.4× median	$173.55
97	Jasper County Rural E M CCooperative · 7,786 homes	Indiana	16.09¢1.15× median	6.8 hrs2.3× median	$183.01
98	Golden Valley Elec Assn IncCooperative · 40,931 homes	Alaska	31.47¢2.24× median	3.5 hrs1.2× median	$178.48
99	Kankakee Valley Rural E M CCooperative · 19,027 homes	Indiana	14.72¢1.05× median	6.9 hrs2.3× median	$145.18
100	The Potomac Edison CompanyInvestor Owned · 252,583 homes	Maryland	15.44¢1.10× median	6.7 hrs2.2× median	$172.04

How this list is built, and what it is not

740 utilities filed both a bundled residential price and reliability data for 2025. Among them the median charges 14.03¢ per kWh and the median customer loses 3 hours of power a year. A utility appears here only if it is worse than both.

Most of these are rural cooperatives, and that is an explanation before it is an accusation. Long lines serving few customers cost more per customer to run and break more often in a storm. The point of the list is not that someone is cheating — it is that the households on it are paying a premium for service that is measurably worse, which is a fact neither number shows on its own.

Outage time includes major event days, because a year with hurricanes in it is still the year those customers lived through. Full methodology.