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Average electric bill in South Carolina
The average South Carolina household paid $149.51 a month for electricity in 2024 — the 15th highest in the country, and 5% above the U.S. average of $142.26.
- Average bill
- $149.51
- Monthly usage
- 1,050 kWh
- Average rate
- 14.23¢
- Rank
- 15th highest
Why the South Carolina bill is what it is
A bill is kilowatt-hours multiplied by price, and states reach similar bills by very different routes. South Carolina's electricity costs 14% less than the U.S. average, and the typical South Carolina home uses 22% more of it, so the bill lands 5% above the national average. Usage, not price, is what drives the South Carolina bill.
Compare California: households there pay almost the same bill ($160.86 against $149.51) at a rate 2.2 times South Carolina's — 31.97¢ against 14.23¢ — because they use 503 kWh a month where South Carolina homes use 1,050.
At today's rate
The 2024 figures are the latest annual numbers EIA has published. South Carolina's average residential rate has since moved to 15.55¢/kWh (June 2026). At the same 1,050 kWh a month, that puts the typical bill near $163.34 — 9% higher. That is an estimate: it holds usage at 2024 levels, and usage swings with the weather.
Neighbours in the ranking
| State | Bill/month | kWh/month | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $151.25 | 1,074 | 14.08¢ |
| Delaware | $150.87 | 911 | 16.57¢ |
| South Carolina | $149.51 | 1,050 | 14.23¢ |
| Virginia | $148.77 | 1,032 | 14.41¢ |
| Pennsylvania | $145.17 | 817 | 17.77¢ |
Ranked from highest bill down. All 51.
Is your bill normal?
Divide your bill by the kilowatt-hours printed on it and you have your own effective rate, directly comparable with the 14.23¢ above. The bill check calculator does it for you. To see where the kilowatt-hours go, the South Carolina rate page costs 50 common appliances at the state rate.
Questions
- What is the average electric bill in South Carolina?
- $149.51 a month in 2024, for an average of 1,050 kWh at 14.23¢/kWh, according to EIA's annual utility survey.
- Why is the electric bill in South Carolina higher than average?
- South Carolina's electricity costs 14% less than the U.S. average, and the typical South Carolina home uses 22% more of it, so the bill lands 5% above the national average. Usage, not price, is what drives the South Carolina bill.
- How much electricity does the average South Carolina home use?
- 1,050 kWh a month, against a U.S. average of 863 kWh.
- Is my electric bill too high?
- Compare your effective rate — the bill divided by the kWh on it — with the state average, and your kWh with the 1,050 kWh typical here. A high rate points at your plan or tier; high usage points at what is running.