South Carolina households pay 16.18 cents per kilowatt-hour on average, which is 12.3 percent below the national figure. That single number decides what every appliance in the house costs to run, so this page works it through for all of them.
The average residential rate in South Carolina is 16.18¢ per kWh, ranking 25 of 51 from cheapest to most expensive, in the middle of the national range. Commercial customers pay 11.57¢. The average monthly household bill is $169.
How South Carolina compares
| Residential rate | 16.18¢/kWh |
|---|---|
| US average | 18.44¢/kWh |
| Difference | −12.3% |
| Rank, cheapest to dearest | 25 of 51 |
| Southeast regional average | 16.16¢/kWh |
| Commercial rate | 11.57¢/kWh |
| Average monthly bill | $169 |
| Retail choice | Regulated: your utility sets the rate |
You cannot shop for supply in South Carolina
South Carolina is a regulated market. Your utility is your only option for supply, and the rate is set through a public commission process rather than by competition. Pricing tends to be more stable than in deregulated states, and there is no switching decision to make.
That makes the levers on your side of the meter the only ones available: what you run, for how long, and whether you generate any of it yourself.
What every appliance costs to run in South Carolina
All figures below are computed at the South Carolina rate of 16.18 cents. The last column shows the annual difference against the same appliance at the national average, which is where the effect of living here actually shows up.
[hed_state_appliance_costs state=”South Carolina”]What this rate means for solar in South Carolina
At 16.18 cents, South Carolina sits close enough to the national average that solar payback here tends to track the national picture. The variables that decide it are local: net metering terms, state incentives, roof orientation and shading.
Typical peak sun hours across the Southeast region run around 4.5 to 5 hours a day as an annual average, though the spread within a region can be wide. For a figure based on your actual location rather than a regional band, use the location-based solar production calculator, and the solar payback calculator for the financial side.
Questions people actually ask
[hed_faq]What is the average electricity rate in South Carolina?16.18 cents per kilowatt-hour for residential customers, which is 12.3 percent below the US average of 18.44 cents.
What is the average electric bill in South Carolina?About $169 a month. That reflects both the rate and how much electricity households here typically use, which is driven mostly by climate and heating fuel.
Can I choose my electricity provider in South Carolina?No. South Carolina is a regulated market, so your utility is the only supplier available and the rate is set through the state commission.
Why is my electricity bill higher than the South Carolina average?The state average blends every household, including small apartments. Electric heating, electric water heating, a pool pump, an older refrigerator or an EV will each push a bill well above it. The appliance table above shows what each of those costs at the South Carolina rate.[/hed_faq]