Moving to Houston: electricity and internet checklist

By the BillAnswers team · Updated October 20, 2026 · How we check facts

In Houston, CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric delivers the electricity whichever retail provider you choose, so you compare plans, pick one and agree on a start date with that provider. For internet, search your new address on the FCC National Broadband Map: for the city as a whole, providers report cable at 94.9% of residential units and fiber at 55.2% (data as of December 31, 2025). Read each plan's label before you order, and give your old electricity provider a forwarding address.

The Houston checklist at a glance

1. Get the full new address, including the unit number.
2. Electricity: confirm the delivery company. Houston is in CenterPoint's area.
3. Electricity: compare plans for the CenterPoint area and read each plan's Electricity Facts Label (EFL).
4. Internet: search the exact address on the FCC National Broadband Map.
5. Internet: read the broadband label of each plan you are considering.
6. Sign up for both and agree on start dates. Ask each internet provider whether it needs a technician visit or you set it up yourself.
7. Give your old electricity provider your move-out date and forwarding address.

Electricity in Houston

Who delivers it. CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric's delivery tariff describes a service territory of about 5,000 square miles covering Houston and 165 other cities, villages and communities in the Texas Gulf Coast region, and says a retail customer must buy electricity from its retail electric provider. CenterPoint owns the poles and wires; you choose the provider. Power to Choose, the PUCT's shopping site, says that whichever company provides your electricity, it is delivered over the same poles and wires, and that for an outage you call the local wires company. Its number is on your electric bill.

What plans cost. Plan prices for the CenterPoint area, from the official Power to Choose list, are in the plan prices section of our Houston electricity page, along with CenterPoint's delivery charges and a worked example. Compare plans at your own usage with the true-cost calculator.

How to start service.

1. Pick a plan and read its EFL.
2. Enroll with the provider and agree on a start date. Under 16 TAC 25.474, the provider must ask whether you are establishing new service or switching, and whether you want it to complete the move-in for you.
3. Have your identity details ready (see the table below).
4. On move-in day, check that the power is on.

The full steps, deposit options and the moving exception are in how to set up electricity when you move.

Leaving your old address. A Texas electricity contract covers the location it names. Under 16 TAC 25.475, no early termination fee may be charged because you move, if you give a forwarding address and, if asked, reasonable evidence that you no longer live there.

Internet in Houston

For the city of Houston, the FCC map shows that at least one wired or fixed wireless provider reports 100/20 Mbps or faster at 98.8% of residential units. By technology, cable is reported at 94.9% of units, fiber at 55.2% and licensed fixed wireless at 54.6% at that speed (data as of December 31, 2025; map updated October 13, 2026). Those are citywide shares, not a promise for your building.

1. Search your address. On the map, select your location point to see which providers report service there, the technology and the maximum advertised speeds.
2. Confirm with the provider. Check the same address on each provider's own site.
3. Read the label. Every provider must show an FCC broadband label for each plan where it is sold. Prices change often; check the provider's Broadband Facts label for your address. See how to read a broadband label.
4. Schedule. Ask for the installation date when you order, or whether the equipment is self-installed.
5. If you are refused. If a provider listed for your address will not serve you, the FCC accepts an Availability Challenge for reasons that include a denied request, excessive connection fees, or no installation scheduled within 10 business days of a request.

The providers the FCC lists for Houston, with each one's share of units and facts from its own website, are on home internet in Houston.

What to have ready

Want the statewide version?

The same steps for any Texas city, with a timeline table, are in the Texas moving checklist for electricity and internet.

Last updated: October 20, 2026