Is electricity expensive in South Dakota?

South Dakota's residential average of 15.4¢/kWh is 16% below the U.S. average of 18.3¢/kWh, ranking 19 of 51 jurisdictions (1 = cheapest).

What's the cheapest electric water heater to run in South Dakota?

Among currently certified models, the Eco-Logical OMNI-50HP1-1A costs the least at about $105 a year at South Dakota rates (681 kWh/yr).

How does South Dakota compare with other states?

The same median electric water heater costs $159 a year in Nevada (the cheapest state) and $638 in Hawaii (the priciest). South Dakota sits at $186.

Data through June 2026

Cost to run · South Dakota · 15.4¢/kWh residential average

How much does it cost to run an electric water heater in South Dakota?

$186/yr · median certified model

Residential electricity in South Dakota runs 15.4¢/kWh — 16% under the U.S. average — putting the median certified electric water heater at about $186 a year, versus $222 nationally.

South Dakota ranks 19 of 51 jurisdictions for electric water heater running costs — solidly mid-table. At local rates, certified models span $105 (Eco-Logical OMNI-50HP1-1A) to $267 (Smart Solar SSG2-ES 120) per year — $163 of annual headroom that depends entirely on which unit you buy. For reference, the national extremes are Nevada (13.1¢/kWh) and Hawaii (52.7¢/kWh); the same median electric water heater would cost $159 and $638 a year there.

South Dakota

$186

US average

$222

Nevada

$159

Hawaii

$638

Median certified electric water heater (1,210 kWh/yr) per year, at each rate

The cheapest water heaters (electric) to run at South Dakota rates

Top 10 by certified kWh, priced at 15.4¢/kWh
#	Model	kWh/yr	$/yr in SD
1	Eco-Logical OMNI-50HP1-1A	681	$105
2	GE Profile PF40S10FPY01	724	$111
3	Eco-Logical OMNI-50HP2-1A	769	$118
4	GE Profile PH40S10BPY01	773	$119
5	Friedrich PROH40 T0 FD120-M	780	$120
6	Friedrich PROH40 T0 FD120-MSO	780	$120
7	Rheem PROPH40 T0 RH120-M	780	$120
8	Rheem PROPH40 T0 RH120-MSO	780	$120
9	Rheem XE40T10HM00U0	780	$120
10	Rheem XE40T10HMS00U0	780	$120

Price any model at South Dakota rates

Your rate, your numbers

Annual use (kWh)

Electricity rate

Per day: 51¢
Per month: $15.49
Per year: $186

1,210 kWh/yr × 15.4¢/kWh = $186/yr

Prefilled with the median certified electric water heater (1,210 kWh/yr). Every model page on this site carries its exact certified figure.

Questions, answered with the data

How much does it cost to run an electric water heater in South Dakota?: About $186 a year for the median ENERGY STAR certified electric water heater, at South Dakota's average residential rate of 15.4¢/kWh — that's $15.49 a month.
Is electricity expensive in South Dakota?: South Dakota's residential average of 15.4¢/kWh is 16% below the U.S. average of 18.3¢/kWh, ranking 19 of 51 jurisdictions (1 = cheapest).
What's the cheapest electric water heater to run in South Dakota?: Among currently certified models, the Eco-Logical OMNI-50HP1-1A costs the least at about $105 a year at South Dakota rates (681 kWh/yr).
How does South Dakota compare with other states?: The same median electric water heater costs $159 a year in Nevada (the cheapest state) and $638 in Hawaii (the priciest). South Dakota sits at $186.

Keep digging

Rate source: US EIA, average residential price of electricity, see methodology.