Is electricity expensive in South Dakota?

South Dakota's residential average of 14.5¢/kWh is 23% below the U.S. average of 18.8¢/kWh, ranking 13 of 51 jurisdictions (1 = cheapest).

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

Among currently certified models, the Friedrich PROH40 T2 FD400-15 costs the least at about $93 a year at South Dakota rates (643 kWh/yr).

How does South Dakota compare with other states?

The same median electric water heater costs $134 a year in North Dakota (the cheapest state) and $504 in Hawaii (the priciest). South Dakota sits at $157.

Data through April 2026

Cost to run · South Dakota · 14.5¢/kWh residential average

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

$157/yr · median certified model

Residential electricity in South Dakota runs 14.5¢/kWh — 23% under the U.S. average — putting the median certified electric water heater at about $157 a year, versus $204 nationally.

South Dakota ranks 13 of 51 jurisdictions for electric water heater running costs — solidly mid-table. At local rates, certified models span $93 (Friedrich PROH40 T2 FD400-15) to $253 (Smart Solar SSG2-ES 120) per year — $159 of annual headroom that depends entirely on which unit you buy. For reference, the national extremes are North Dakota (12.3¢/kWh) and Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh); the same median electric water heater would cost $134 and $504 a year there.

South Dakota

$157

US average

$204

North Dakota

$134

Hawaii

$504

Median certified electric water heater (1,082 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 14.5¢/kWh
#	Model	kWh/yr	$/yr in SD
1	Friedrich PROH40 T2 FD400-15	643	$93
2	Rheem PROPH40 T2 RH375-15	643	$93
3	Rheem PROPH40 T2 RH400-15	643	$93
4	Rheem XE40T10H22U0	643	$93
5	Rheem XE40T10H22U1	643	$93
6	Richmond 10E40-HP515	643	$93
7	Richmond 10E40-HP5U15	643	$93
8	Ruud PROUH40 T2 RU375-15	643	$93
9	Ruud PROUH40 T2 RU400-15	643	$93
10	Eco-Logical OMNI-50HP1-1A	681	$99

Price any model at South Dakota rates

Your rate, your numbers

Annual use (kWh)

Electricity rate

Per day: 43¢
Per month: $13.09
Per year: $157

1,082 kWh/yr × 14.5¢/kWh = $157/yr

Prefilled with the median certified electric water heater (1,082 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 $157 a year for the median ENERGY STAR certified electric water heater, at South Dakota's average residential rate of 14.5¢/kWh — that's $13.09 a month.
Is electricity expensive in South Dakota?: South Dakota's residential average of 14.5¢/kWh is 23% below the U.S. average of 18.8¢/kWh, ranking 13 of 51 jurisdictions (1 = cheapest).
What's the cheapest electric water heater to run in South Dakota?: Among currently certified models, the Friedrich PROH40 T2 FD400-15 costs the least at about $93 a year at South Dakota rates (643 kWh/yr).
How does South Dakota compare with other states?: The same median electric water heater costs $134 a year in North Dakota (the cheapest state) and $504 in Hawaii (the priciest). South Dakota sits at $157.

Keep digging

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