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South Carolina Electricity Prices

Average retail price by sector. Latest data: May 2026.

Residential
16.18¢ /kWh
▲ 5.0%vs. last year
Commercial
11.57¢ /kWh
▲ 6.4%vs. last year
Industrial
7.23¢ /kWh
▲ 5.9%vs. last year

Average monthly bill

Full bill breakdown →
$164per month▲ 4.9% vs. the year before

15.48¢/kWh × 1,061 kWh a month. Residential revenue divided by residential customers, averaged over the 12 months to May 2026 — the 15th highest among the 50 states and DC.

Compared with the U.S. and neighboring states

Average monthly residential electricity bill, in US dollars
South Carolina
$164
U.S. average
$155
Georgia
$161
North Carolina
$150

South Carolina is $9 a month above (+5.7%) the U.S. average of $155. Average monthly bill, June 2025 – May 2026.

How South Carolina makes its electricity

Fuel mix & 10-year trend →Power plants →
Renewable
7.3%
Carbon-free
59.8%
Largest source
Nuclear 53%
South Carolina electricity generation by source, June 2025 – May 2026
SourceShareGeneration
Natural gas22.8%23,356 GWh
Coal17.6%17,969 GWh
Nuclear52.5%53,744 GWh
Wind0.0%0 GWh
Solar3.5%3,559 GWh
Hydro2.3%2,317 GWh
Other1.3%1,381 GWh

102.3 TWh of net generation over the 12 months to May 2026. Generation, not consumption — power crosses state lines.

South Carolina electricity prices in context

South Carolina's residential electricity rate in May 2026 was 16.18¢/kWh, placing it 27th among the 50 states and DC when ranked from most to least expensive. This was 2.26¢/kWh below the national average of 18.44¢/kWh, or 12.3% lower. The rate exceeded those of both neighboring states: Georgia at 15.84¢/kWh and North Carolina at 15.09¢/kWh. Commercial and industrial rates stood at 11.57¢/kWh and 7.23¢/kWh respectively.

Over the past five years since May 2021, the residential rate has risen 25.5%, from 12.89¢/kWh. Over two decades since May 2006, it has climbed 78.2%, from 9.08¢/kWh. Since records began in January 2001, the increase totals 119.8%, from 7.36¢/kWh. The current rate sits just below the all-time high of 17.06¢/kWh reached in April 2026, though well above the record low of 7.31¢/kWh from December 2002.

The average monthly bill was $164 for 1,061 kWh in May 2026, compared with the national average of $155 for 871 kWh. Despite a rate below the national figure, South Carolina's bill runs higher because customers use considerably more electricity per month. The year-over-year increase in the residential rate was 5.0%.

Written from the EIA figures on this page, covering data through May 2026.

12-month trend

ResidentialCommercialIndustrial
5.9¢8.9¢12¢15¢18¢Jun '25Sep '25Dec '25Feb '26May '26ResidentialCommercialIndustrial

Residential history since 2001

6.5¢9.4¢12¢15¢18¢Jan '01May '07Sep '13Jan '20May '26
Jan '01
7.36¢
Now
16.18¢
Change
▲ 119.8%
Range
7.31–17.06¢

Recent months

MonthResidentialCommercialIndustrial
May 202616.1811.577.23
April 202617.0611.617.45
March 202616.4511.707.44
February 202616.1512.828.62
January 202615.4112.389.03
December 202514.8211.537.62
November 202515.5311.196.71
October 202515.6511.006.98
September 202515.3410.967.07
August 202514.9810.897.05
July 202514.7010.977.88
June 202514.7911.067.22

Prices in ¢/kWh.

Frequently asked questions

›How much does electricity cost in South Carolina?
Residential electricity in South Carolina costs 16.18¢ per kilowatt-hour as of May 2026, the 27th highest rate among the 50 states and DC. Commercial customers pay 11.57¢ and industrial customers 7.23¢ per kilowatt-hour.
›Why is electricity relatively cheap in South Carolina?
South Carolina's residential rate of 16.18¢/kWh is -9.3% versus the U.S. average of 17.84¢/kWh. What a household actually pays also depends on how much it uses: the typical South Carolina home consumes 1,061 kWh a month against a national average of 871 kWh, which is why its average bill comes to $164.
›Have electricity prices in South Carolina gone up?
Residential electricity in South Carolina has moved +119.8% since 2001, reaching 16.18¢/kWh in May 2026. Over the last year alone the change was +5.0%.
›Is electricity cheaper in states neighboring South Carolina?
Of the states bordering South Carolina, North Carolina has the lowest average monthly bill at $150 and Georgia the highest at $161. South Carolina averages $164 a month, against a U.S. average of $155.