Setting Up Utilities in Princeton, Texas
Princeton runs on the deregulated grid, so the big first decision is one people from regulated states aren't used to: you choose your own electric provider. Oncor owns the wires either way. Gas, water, and trash are the straightforward part — here's the whole checklist.
Electricity
You can choose your providerMost Princeton addresses are in Oncor's deregulated territory, meaning you pick your own retail electric provider and compare plans on Power to Choose. Some outlying areas are served by the CoServ cooperative instead, which doesn't offer provider choice — confirm your address if you're near the edge of town.
Delivery utility (poles, wires & outages): Oncor
Compare electricity plans →Natural Gas
Atmos Energy
Atmos Energy is the natural gas utility for Princeton and most of the DFW metro. Set up service directly with Atmos; some newer homes are all-electric with no gas hookup.
Water & Sewer
City of Princeton
The City of Princeton provides water and wastewater service and sets up residential trash and recycling on the same account. Start service through the city a business day or two before move-in.
Trash & Recycling
City of Princeton
Residential trash and recycling in Princeton are handled by the city (often through a contracted hauler) and set up with your city water account.
Internet
Widest coverage: Spectrum
Spectrum reports service to 96% of homes inside Princeton city limits, the widest reported coverage of any provider other than the satellite companies and the 5G home-internet carriers. Fiber is reported at 74% of homes. Full provider comparison on our Princeton internet page.
Check your address (FCC map) →Electricity: You Pick, Oncor Delivers
Coming from a regulated state, this trips people up: there's no default power company in Princeton. You pick a retail electric provider off a marketplace, and Oncor delivers the electricity over its lines no matter whose name is on the bill. Start at Power to Choose, read past the headline rate — it usually assumes a usage level you may not hit — and skip plans with big minimum-usage fees or teaser rates that jump after a few months. A plain 12-month fixed-rate plan is the right call for most homes. Set it up a few days before move-in.
Gas, Water, and Trash
Natural gas comes from Atmos Energy across Princeton and nearly all of DFW — set it up online or by phone, and note that some newer homes are all-electric. Water, sewer, and residential trash and recycling run through the City of Princeton on one account, so those get handled in a single stop. Give yourself a day or two of lead time, more around the first of the month when everyone's transferring service.
Internet
Providers report home internet service inside Princeton city limits over licensed fixed wireless at 93% of homes, cable at 80% of homes, unlicensed fixed wireless at 76% of homes, fiber at 74% of homes, and DSL over copper phone lines at 12% of homes, out of 11,209 homes and apartments, according to FCC National Broadband Map data as of December 31, 2025.
At least 80% of homes have a reported wired or fixed-wireless option of 100/20 Mbps or faster, and at least 80% have a reported gigabit (1,000/100 Mbps) option.
Spectrum reports service to 96% of homes inside Princeton city limits, the widest reported coverage of any provider other than the satellite companies and the 5G home-internet carriers. Fiber is reported at 74% of homes.
Availability is address-specific: check your exact address on the FCC National Broadband Map before signing up.
FAQ: Utilities in Princeton
Yes. Princeton is in the deregulated ERCOT market, so you pick your own retail electric provider and compare plans on the state's Power to Choose site. Oncor owns the wires and meter and handles outages regardless of provider.
Atmos Energy is the natural gas utility for Princeton and most of the DFW metro. Service is set up directly with Atmos, though some newer all-electric homes have no gas hookup.
The City of Princeton provides water and wastewater service and sets up residential trash and recycling, typically on a single city account started when you move in.
Apart from satellite and 5G home-internet carriers, Spectrum reports the widest coverage: 96% of homes inside Princeton city limits in FCC data as of December 31, 2025. Other providers reporting at least 10% coverage: AT&T, Element8 Technology Investment Group, 360 Communications (OK, AR & TX), Verizon Home Internet, Rise Internet, and T-Mobile Home Internet. Availability varies by address, so check the FCC National Broadband Map.
Sources & Verification
East Texas guides — an easy drive from Princeton
Weekend trips, lakes, festivals and small-town food east of the metroplex.
Best Day Trips from Tyler and East Texas
Drive-time guide to day trips from Tyler: state parks, small towns, museums, and lakes within about 30 minutes, an hour, and up to three hours.
Read Guide →Things to Do in East Texas
What to do in East Texas, checked against official sources: Tyler's Rose Garden and Caldwell Zoo, Canton's First Monday Trade Days, the Texas State Railroad, state parks, museums and festivals.
Read Guide →Best Lakes in East Texas
A fact-checked guide to 17 East Texas lakes, from Lake Fork's trophy bass and Caddo Lake to Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn and Lake Tawakoni. Sizes, species, access and rules come from TPWD.
Read Guide →East Texas State Parks Guide
Twelve East Texas state parks from TPWD: Tyler, Caddo Lake, Atlanta, Lake Bob Sandlin, Tawakoni, Purtis Creek, Cooper, Martin Dies Jr. and more. Camping, cabins and passes.
Read Guide →Business Owner?
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