McAllen, Texas electricity: AEP Texas Central wires, 4 split ZIP codes to check
McAllen proper is AEP Texas Central territory; Magic Valley Electric Cooperative serves many homes on its north and west edges.
Last updated . Written by Power Hopper. Reviewed by Brent Ward, founder, on 2026-10-19. Data as of October 5, 2026 (meters) and October 19, 2026 (plan prices).
In short: Every McAllen-addressed home in ERCOT's competitive data is on AEP Texas Central's wires (50,000 active residential meters, October 5, 2026). Most McAllen addresses can choose a retail provider, but 4 of the ZIP codes below are split, so check your exact address. Your delivery utility handles the wires and outages; the retail provider you choose sets your price and sends the bill.
Who delivers electricity in McAllen?
Every McAllen-addressed home in ERCOT's competitive data is on AEP Texas Central's wires (50,000 active residential meters, October 5, 2026). The delivery utility (TDU) owns the poles and wires, reads the meter and restores power; in an outage, contact AEP Texas Central at aeptexas.com/outages, not your retail provider.
AEP Texas Central delivery charges and area
Can every address in McAllen choose an electricity provider?
Most McAllen addresses can choose a retail provider, but 4 of the ZIP codes below are split, so check your exact address.
EIA’s 2024 utility data also lists these utilities in Hidalgo County: electric co-ops Magic Valley Electric Coop Inc. EIA reports them by county, not by street, so some may not reach McAllen itself; addresses they serve do not have retail choice unless the utility opted in.
Meter counts use the postal city on the service address, which is not the same as city limits. Source: ERCOT TDSP ESIID Extract (October 5, 2026); EIA-861 (2024).
Moving to McAllen
Local numbers for setting up a home in McAllen, each checked on the official source. More contacts, and a printable list, are on McAllen helpful move-in information.
- Water and utility billing: utility billing (start, transfer or stop water service), 956-681-1600.
- Natural gas: Texas Gas Service: customer service, 800-700-2443.
- Public schools: McAllen ISD, Edinburg CISD, Sharyland ISD and 2 more on the move-in page.
- Driver license: Texas DPS Driver License Office: McAllen, 512-424-2600.
You enter your address on the next screen, and we confirm there whether you can choose an electricity provider at that address.
Have a High Light Bill or Electric Bill?
If your electricity bill in McAllen came in higher than you expected, upload or enter it and see whether another plan could lower your electricity costs, or whether staying where you are makes more sense.
Weather and electricity in McAllen
Typical weather near McAllen, from the nearest NOAA station with a complete 1991-2020 record: Mcallen, about 2 miles from the city center (station elevation 100 ft). These are normals for that station, not readings at your address. August is the warmest month on average, with a normal daily high of 99°F; January has the coolest average low, 49°F. Average daily highs reach 90°F or more in May to September. No month averages a daily low at or below freezing.
For electricity, the normals point to two seasons that can lift a household's usage: cooling-degree days (a measure of how far each day's mean temperature sits above 65°F) peak in August at 711 for the month, and heating-degree days (below 65°F) peak in January at 196. How much that matters to a bill depends on the home, its insulation, its heating fuel and the household, so use your own usage history, not a regional average, when you compare plans.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precipitation (in) | Cooling degree-days | Heating degree-days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 71 | 49 | 0.7 | 53 | 196 |
| Feb | 76 | 53 | 0.6 | 97 | 103 |
| Mar | 82 | 59 | 1.0 | 209 | 44 |
| Apr | 87 | 65 | 1.4 | 341 | 8 |
| May | 92 | 71 | 1.4 | 512 | 0 |
| Jun | 96 | 76 | 3.1 | 630 | 0 |
| Jul | 98 | 77 | 1.6 | 685 | 0 |
| Aug | 99 | 77 | 1.5 | 711 | 0 |
| Sep | 94 | 73 | 3.8 | 561 | 0 |
| Oct | 89 | 66 | 2.0 | 399 | 4 |
| Nov | 80 | 57 | 1.1 | 167 | 64 |
| Dec | 73 | 51 | 0.6 | 72 | 175 |
Historical weather records for Hidalgo County
The Texas Railroad Commission's county table lists a record low of 10°F (1962) and a record high of 113°F (1998), and a regional estimate of 12 consecutive hours as a typical longest freezing or frozen-precipitation period for Hidalgo County. These are historical county extremes, not McAllen's monthly averages and not a forecast; the normals above describe ordinary months.
Reference only: the U.S. Energy Information Administration's 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey puts the average Texas household at about 13,440 kWh a year (about 1,120 kWh a month if spread evenly). That is a statewide average for 2020, not McAllen, and not an estimate for your home. EIA source.
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USC00415701; Texas Railroad Commission, Historical Weather Data by County (2022).
What is different about electricity in McAllen?
- Magic Valley Electric Cooperative serves parts of Hidalgo County; its members do not have retail choice. Source: Magic Valley Electric Cooperative; EIA-861 (2024) utility service territories by county.
- In ZIP 78573 (north Mission, Alton, Palmhurst) ERCOT lists 4,938 competitive residential meters for about 12,720 Census households (ratio 0.39), and in 78504 (north McAllen) 16,052 for 19,697 (0.81). Source: ERCOT TDSP ESIID Extract (report 203), Oct 5, 2026.
McAllen electricity by the numbers
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population (July 1, 2025 estimate) | 150,640 | Census Vintage 2025 city and town population estimates |
| Population (2020 estimates base) | 142,188 | Census Vintage 2025 city and town population estimates |
| Occupied households (ACS 2020-2024) | 48,905 | Census ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates |
| Active residential meters with a McAllen address | 50,000 | ERCOT TDSP ESIID Extract |
| Active business meters with a McAllen address | 10,811 | ERCOT TDSP ESIID Extract |
| Residential meters per Census household | 1.02 | ERCOT TDSP ESIID Extract |
| Delivery utilities (homes) | AEP Texas Central 50,000 | ERCOT TDSP ESIID Extract |
| Counties | Hidalgo | Census 2020 ZCTA-to-place and ZCTA-to-county relationship files |
| ZIP codes touching McAllen | 6 | Census 2020 ZCTA-to-place and ZCTA-to-county relationship files |
| Split ZIP codes (flagged below) | 4 | ERCOT TDSP ESIID Extract |
One ESI ID (meter) per home or apartment with service. A ratio above 1 usually means vacant, seasonal, new or unincorporated homes using the McAllen mailing address; below 1 means some homes are served outside the competitive market. How we built these numbers. Download: McAllen ZIP table (CSV).
What do electricity plans cost in McAllen right now?
Fixed-rate residential medians from Power to Choose, Oct 19, 2026, 7:59 AM CT (AEP Texas Central: 164 listings). Prices include delivery. A median is not a quote.
| Delivery utility | 500 kWh | 1,000 kWh | 2,000 kWh | Delivery charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AEP Texas Central | 12.7¢ | 12.1¢ | 12¢ | 5.6898¢/kWh + $3.24/mo (effective September 29, 2026; tariff) |
Source: Power to Choose export, Oct 19, 2026, 7:59 AM CT; method in Texas rates.
McAllen ZIP codes: how much of each is on the competitive market?
Not every address in these ZIP codes has retail choice; check your exact address. ZIP codes cross city limits and utility lines. The ratio compares competitive residential meters with Census households in the whole ZIP; it is an estimate, not an address check.
| ZIP | Main postal cities (homes) | ZIP land inside McAllen | Competitive homes (ERCOT) | Households (Census) | Ratio | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78501 | Mcallen 24,878, Mission 2, Mercedes 1 | 100% | 24,881 | 21,734 | 1.14 | Most homes are on the competitive market. |
| 78504 | Mcallen 16,044, Mission 7, Palmview 1 | 89% | 16,052 | 19,697 | 0.81 | Split. Most, but not all, homes are on the competitive market. Fewer competitive meters than households: some homes are likely co-op or other non-choice service. 14 new residential meters Oct 7-18, 2026. |
| 78541 | Edinburg 9,076, Elsa 62, Mcallen 30 | 1% | 9,211 | 16,679 | 0.55 | Split. Only part of the ZIP is on the competitive market. Fewer competitive meters than households: some homes are likely co-op or other non-choice service. 12 new residential meters Oct 7-18, 2026. Mostly outside McAllen city limits. |
| 78503 | Mcallen 8,889 | 92% | 8,889 | 7,247 | 1.23 | Most homes are on the competitive market. |
| 78573 | Mission 2,735, Alton 1,809, Palmhurst 280 | 11% | 4,938 | 12,720 | 0.39 | Split. Only part of the ZIP is on the competitive market. Fewer competitive meters than households: some homes are likely co-op or other non-choice service. 12 new residential meters Oct 7-18, 2026. |
| 78557 | Hidalgo 1,988, Asherton 3 | 22% | 1,991 | 3,909 | 0.51 | Split. Only part of the ZIP is on the competitive market. Fewer competitive meters than households: some homes are likely co-op or other non-choice service. 15 new residential meters Oct 7-18, 2026. |
Split ZIP codes for McAllen: 78504, 78573, 78541, 78557.
Sources: ERCOT TDSP ESIID Extract (Oct 5, 2026); Census ACS 2020-2024; Census ZCTA relationship files.
Homes, renters and electric bills in McAllen’s ZIP codes
Among McAllen’s main ZIP codes, 78503 has the largest share of households paying $250 or more a month for electricity (32.7%); 78501 has the most renters (50.7% of households). High-bill shares reflect home size, age and heating type as much as price, so they are a reason to check your usage, not a verdict on any provider.
| ZIP | Renter households | Moved in the past year | Electric bill $250+/month | Built 2020 or later | New meters Oct 7-18, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78501 | 50.7% | 13.8% | 28.8% | 1.5% | 9 |
| 78504 | 30.1% | 8.8% | 31.9% | 3.5% | 14 |
| 78503 | 38.9% | 9.3% | 32.7% | 2.8% | 2 |
Census ACS 2020-2024 5-year, ZCTA level: B25003 (tenure), B07003 (moved), B25132 (electricity cost, households charged for electricity), B25034 (year built); new meters from ERCOT daily ESIID files. Compiled in Power Hopper’s Oct 18, 2026 ZIP study.
How do towns near McAllen compare?
Neighboring cities and towns within about 28 miles, by distance from McAllen’s center. Status is our whole-place estimate; check your exact address.
| Town | Distance | Population | Competitive homes (postal city) | Delivery utility | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmhurst | 4 mi | 2,562 | 688 | AEP Texas Central | Most addresses can choose |
| Mission | 5 mi | 88,992 | 42,908 | AEP Texas Central | Most addresses can choose |
| Pharr | 5 mi | 80,830 | 14,146 | AEP Texas Central | Partly |
| Alton | 6 mi | 24,138 | 2,317 | AEP Texas Central | Partly |
| San Juan | 6 mi | 37,868 | 5,038 | AEP Texas Central | Partly |
| Hidalgo | 8 mi | 15,376 | 1,994 | AEP Texas Central | Partly |
Business electricity in McAllen
ERCOT lists 10,811 active business meters with a McAllen address, about one for every 4.6 homes, and 22 meters in ERCOT’s large non-residential class across McAllen’s main ZIP codes. On AEP Texas Central’s wires, a business picks its retail provider the same way a home does; larger accounts can also buy from suppliers that sell directly to commercial customers.
Power Hopper compares offers from retail electric providers and direct suppliers for businesses. For high-consumption businesses, we can run a competitive bid so more than one supplier prices the same usage. We can’t promise savings or how many suppliers will bid. Businesses in Texas retail-choice areas can request a rate review online.
How do I compare electricity plans in McAllen?
Enter a McAllen ZIP code, then your service address. If the address can shop, you’ll see plans; read each plan’s Electricity Facts Label (price at your usage, base charge, credits, term, cancellation fee) before you choose.
Common questions about electricity in McAllen
Is McAllen Public Utility my electric company?
No. McAllen Public Utility is the city’s water and sewer utility. EIA’s 2024 data lists no city-owned electric utility in McAllen; electricity comes from a retail provider over AEP Texas Central’s wires, or from Magic Valley if the co-op serves you.
Is McAllen AEP or Magic Valley Electric?
Inside McAllen mostly AEP Texas Central: ERCOT lists 50,000 McAllen-addressed homes on its wires. Magic Valley Electric Cooperative serves some homes around the city; ZIP-level data points to the north and northwest edges. Only AEP addresses can choose a provider.
Which McAllen ZIP codes are split?
78504 (ratio 0.81) and nearby 78573 (0.39) and 78541 (0.55) have fewer competitive meters than homes, a sign of co-op service. 78501 and 78503 are almost fully competitive.
What is AEP Texas Central's delivery charge?
5.6898¢ per kWh plus $3.24 a month for residential service in our Oct. 19, 2026 snapshot (tariff effective Sept. 29, 2026).
Who restores power in McAllen?
AEP Texas for AEP addresses (aeptexas.com/outages); Magic Valley members call the co-op.
Where to next?
Up: AEP Texas Central area · Hidalgo County · Regional page
Nearest town pages: Mission · Edinburg · Harlingen · Laredo · Corpus Christi · Victoria · Sugar Land · Missouri City
Compare plans · Moving · High bill · Texas rates · Areas without retail choice · Methodology
Sources
- ERCOT TDSP ESIID Extract (report 203): full extract as of Oct 5, 2026; daily files Oct 7-18, 2026
- Census ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (B25003 households, B01003 population)
- Census Vintage 2025 city and town population estimates
- Census 2020 ZCTA-to-place and ZCTA-to-county relationship files
- EIA-861 (2024) utility service territories by county
- PUCT Power to Choose residential offer export, Oct 19, 2026, 7:59 AM CT
- PUCT: Choosing an Electric Plan
- PUCT broker directory (BR260201)
- AEP Texas (Central Division)
- AEP Texas Central delivery tariff (effective September 29, 2026)
- Magic Valley Electric Cooperative
- McAllen Public Utility
BJW Ventures LLC d/b/a Power Hopper | PUCT BR260201. PUCT registration is not an endorsement.