When Electric Bills Rise, Older Texans Feel It First

For many older Texans, the rising cost of electricity isn’t an abstract policy issue—it’s a monthly worry that shapes everyday decisions.

In a state known for extreme heat and sudden cold snaps, keeping the lights on and the air running is essential to health and safety. But for people living on fixed incomes, the cost of heating or cooling a home can be one of the hardest household expenses to manage.

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Betz, a North Texas resident, says rising utility bills have steadily narrowed her financial choices. Living on Social Security and a small retirement income, she’s already made sacrifices to keep up with basic expenses. “I’ve given up luxury things,” she said. “I don’t even go to movies anymore.”

Stories like Betz’s are becoming more common as Texas’ population ages. Nearly 9 million Texans are age 50 or older, and many rely on fixed or limited incomes. Even modest increases in utility bills can force difficult tradeoffs—between groceries and prescriptions, between comfort and cost.

Peter, a fully retired resident of North Central Texas, said electricity has become one of his largest monthly expenses, accounting for roughly a quarter of his budget. “After my mortgage, it is my single largest expense,” he said. “Sometimes it’s right even with it.”

Peter relies entirely on Social Security. He said his electric bills have doubled in less than four years, reaching between $250 and $275 per month under even billing. When his air conditioner broke last fall, his bills dropped, but at a cost. Without cooling, he endured hot afternoons and sleepless nights. “I realized my electricity costs had doubled in less than four years,” he said.

William, a 74‑year‑old retiree in North Texas, says rising utility costs are becoming harder to understand and harder to justify. “My electric bill’s the highest it’s ever been,” he said, noting that his gas bill recently surpassed his electric bill for the first time in his life. While he and his wife are financially stable, living on Social Security and a pension, William worries about what these trends mean for other Texans. “It should be cheaper in Texas than anywhere else,” he said. “At some point, it’s too much and people will stop moving here.”

AARP knows that utility bills (including electricity, water, sewer, and natural gas) have been steadily rising. That’s why AARP Texas works with policymakers, regulators, and community organizations to push back against unfair price hikes and to seek reasonable solutions to what’s driving up consumer costs.