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Average electric bill in South Dakota
The average South Dakota household paid $127.81 a month for electricity in 2024 — the 18th lowest in the country, and 10% below the U.S. average of $142.26.
- Average bill
- $127.81
- Monthly usage
- 994 kWh
- Average rate
- 12.86¢
- Rank
- 18th lowest
Why the South Dakota bill is what it is
A bill is kilowatt-hours multiplied by price, and states reach similar bills by very different routes. South Dakota's electricity costs 22% less than the U.S. average, and the typical South Dakota home uses 15% more of it, so the bill lands 10% below the national average. Price, not usage, is what drives the South Dakota bill.
Compare Maine: households there pay almost the same bill ($133.60 against $127.81) at a rate 1.9 times South Dakota's — 24.29¢ against 12.86¢ — because they use 550 kWh a month where South Dakota homes use 994.
At today's rate
The 2024 figures are the latest annual numbers EIA has published. South Dakota's average residential rate has since moved to 15.36¢/kWh (June 2026). At the same 994 kWh a month, that puts the typical bill near $152.65 — 19% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | $129.13 | 1,048 | 12.32¢ |
| New Jersey | $128.13 | 662 | 19.34¢ |
| South Dakota | $127.81 | 994 | 12.86¢ |
| Vermont | $125.66 | 574 | 21.90¢ |
| Kansas | $123.90 | 876 | 14.15¢ |
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 12.86¢ above. The bill check calculator does it for you. To see where the kilowatt-hours go, the South Dakota rate page costs 50 common appliances at the state rate.
Questions
- What is the average electric bill in South Dakota?
- $127.81 a month in 2024, for an average of 994 kWh at 12.86¢/kWh, according to EIA's annual utility survey.
- Why is the electric bill in South Dakota lower than average?
- South Dakota's electricity costs 22% less than the U.S. average, and the typical South Dakota home uses 15% more of it, so the bill lands 10% below the national average. Price, not usage, is what drives the South Dakota bill.
- How much electricity does the average South Dakota home use?
- 994 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 994 kWh typical here. A high rate points at your plan or tier; high usage points at what is running.