[olderandwiser456]

I've been looking at various FL threads, and am reading that electric rates seem to vary a lot around the state. FL is a state where residents use a lot of AC , so it needs to be factored into a retirement budget. FL residents on the forum mention wide variation from one area of FL to another. What is causing this variation and what areas of FL are more expensive or less expensive in terms of electricity rates?

[smarino]

Different companies supply the electricity. I believe that we had the lowest rates in Daytona, whereas we now have the highest here in St Pete. Still, I was willing to pay triple the rates just to get out of tDaytona.

It's not like this was a surprise though. Anyone wishing to move anywhere needs to research utility rates, taxes, insurance, etc before hand if they are thinking of a move.

[Spring Hillian]

Florida Electricity Rates | Electricity Local



You can get rates for various cities to compare.

Originally Posted by olderandwiser456

I've been looking at various FL threads, and am reading that electric rates seem to vary a lot around the state. FL is a state where residents use a lot of AC , so it needs to be factored into a retirement budget. FL residents on the forum mention wide variation from one area of FL to another. What is causing this variation and what areas of FL are more expensive or less expensive in terms of electricity rates?

[olderandwiser456]

Originally Posted by smarino

Different companies supply the electricity. I believe that we had the lowest rates in Daytona, whereas we now have the highest here in St Pete. Still, I was willing to pay triple the rates just to get out of tDaytona.

It's not like this was a surprise though. Anyone wishing to move anywhere needs to research utility rates, taxes, insurance, etc before hand if they are thinking of a move.

It's interesting that rates can triple from one part of the state to another (Daytona and St Pete). Here in the upper midwest (Michigan), there are several power companies, but most power plants are fired by nat gas (supposedly cheap) and rates don't really vary that much between companies or between cities.

However, in southeast MI the power company is raising rates and adding all kinds of fees over the last few years due to all the foreclosures in Detroit and therefore the loss of electricity $$ from the 40,000 abandoned homes in the city. They are going to get their $$ somewhere, so they raise the rates on everyone else.

According to the table below, Florida and Michigan are about the same in terms of the average for the entire state. But from what posters are saying about Florida, the rates can vary significantly from one city to another.

Annual Electricity Price Comparison by State

Another chart:

http://www.eia.gov/electricity/state/

[olderandwiser456]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

Florida Electricity Rates | Electricity Local

You can get rates for various cities to compare.

Very helpful, thanks!

[chopchop0]

Fpl is the cheapest by and large, I believe, while gru in Gainesville is the highest

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by chopchop0

Fpl is the cheapest by and large, I believe, while gru in Gainesville is the highest

This ^^. We have FPL down here in Sarasota/Manatee and the rates are the cheapest of anywhere in FL I have lived. Highest rates (for us) were in Lakeland (Lakeland Electric).

[Icemodeled]

Cannot speak for other areas but where we're at in SW Florida, the electric costs are quite low.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by chopchop0

Fpl is the cheapest by and large, I believe, while gru in Gainesville is the highest

You've got that right! I lived in Lee, Charlotte and Sarasota counties and my electric bill was very reasonable.

BTW, property taxes in Alachua County are also very high. It's a great city, however. (I'm visiting Gainesville now...very hot!)

I totally agree with the OP that all these things need to be taken into consideration, including property insurance and, if there is one, the HOA fee.

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by justNancy

You've got that right! I lived in Lee, Charlotte and Sarasota counties and my electric bill was very reasonable.

BTW, property taxes in Alachua County are also very high. It's a great city, however. (I'm visiting Gainesville now...very hot!)

I totally agree with the OP that all these things need to be taken into consideration, including property insurance and, if there is one, the HOA fee.

Yeah because the public universities are exempted from property taxes but the county obviously needs revenue to run