AC running cost in South Dakota
A typical 2,000 sq ft South Dakota home with average insulation and a 14 SEER2 central AC uses about 779 kWh a year for cooling: roughly $113, peaking in Jul at about $42.
At a glance
South Dakota ranks 35th of 48 contiguous states for estimated yearly AC running cost. Its residential electricity price (14.5¢/kWh) is 20% lower than the U.S. average (18.19¢, EIA) and ranks 33rd highest. Its climate brings 688 cooling degree days a year (30th most), so cooling demand is 37% lower than the 48-state average. Jul is the peak month, carrying about 37% of the year's AC cost; the meaningful cooling season runs May–Sep.
| Estimated yearly AC cost (2,000 sq ft, 14 SEER2) | $113 |
| Average across 48 contiguous states (unweighted) | $207 |
| Average residential price, July 2026 YTD | 14.5¢/kWh (U.S.: 18.19¢) |
| Single month, July 2026 | 15.37¢/kWh |
| Annual cooling degree days (NOAA, 1991–2020, base 65°F) | 688 (48-state avg 1,099) |
| Yearly savings, 18 vs 14 SEER2 | $25 |
We haven't verified utility-specific tariffs for South Dakota yet, so this page uses the EIA statewide average. Your utility's rate may differ, so enter it in the calculator below.
Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B and Table 5.6.A; NOAA NCEI nClimDiv. Statewide averages hide large local differences.
Compared with neighboring states
| State | Price | CDD/yr | Yearly AC cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | 12.9¢ | 996 | $145 |
| Iowa | 14.2¢ | 809 | $130 |
| South Dakota | 14.5¢ | 688 | $113 |
| Minnesota | 16.25¢ | 456 | $84 |
| North Dakota | 12.36¢ | 444 | $62 |
| Wyoming | 13.95¢ | 278 | $44 |
| Montana | 13.95¢ | 197 | $31 |
Same home (2,000 sq ft, average insulation, 14 SEER2) in each state.
Month by month
| Month | CDD | kWh | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| Feb | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| Mar | 1 | 1 | $0 |
| Apr | 1 | 1 | $0 |
| May | 31 | 35 | $5 |
| Jun | 139 | 158 | $23 |
| Jul ★ | 258 | 292 | $42 |
| Aug | 195 | 220 | $32 |
| Sep | 62 | 70 | $10 |
| Oct | 1 | 1 | $0 |
| Nov | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| Dec | 0 | 0 | $0 |
★ peak month.
Thinking about a new system? See AC replacement cost & savings by state and heat pump vs gas furnace in South Dakota.
Yearly cooling cost by home size and SEER2
| Home | 13 SEER2 | 14 SEER2 | 16 SEER2 | 18 SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $73 | $68 | $59 | $53 |
| 1,600 sq ft | $97 | $90 | $79 | $70 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $122 | $113 | $99 | $88 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $152 | $141 | $124 | $110 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $182 | $169 | $148 | $132 |
Average insulation; 14.5¢/kWh.
AC monthly running cost calculator
| Month | Cooling degree days | kWh | Cost |
|---|
Price defaults to the state's EIA average residential price (July 2026 YTD); edit it to match your bill. Climate: NOAA state cooling degree days, 1991–2020 average. How this works.