Montana vs South Dakota electricity prices: 12.98 ¢ against 13.38 ¢ per kWh
38 places apart: Montana #4, South Dakota #42 of 51, the widest of 31 measures. CO2 per mwh of generation, lb Montana 1,056, South Dakota 334; outage minutes a year, SAIDI Montana 150, South Dakota 57. Typical bills differ by $24 a month, higher in South Dakota.
Over a year the typical energy bill differs by $285 ($111 a month in Montana, $134 in South Dakota). Since 2015 the home price rose +19.3% in Montana and +20.8% in South Dakota: 1.5 points more in South Dakota. Against the U.S. home average Montana sits at -25.0% and South Dakota at -22.7%.
Where the power in Montana and South Dakota comes from
Fuels with the widest gaps, Montana against South Dakota.
| Fuel | Montana | South Dakota | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wind | 23.3% | 58.2% | 34.9 points, higher in South Dakota |
| Coal | 36.0% | 9.3% | 26.7 points, higher in Montana |
| Hydro | 31.6% | 19.2% | 12.4 points, higher in Montana |
| Gas | 4.9% | 11.2% | 6.2 points, higher in South Dakota |
Montana against South Dakota: widest gaps
| Measure | Montana | South Dakota | Gap | Rank (of 51) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petroleum share of generation | 1.8% | 0.0% | +1.7 points | #4 / #42 |
| CO2 per MWh of generation, lb | 1,056 | 334 | +722 | #12 / #46 |
| Outage minutes a year, SAIDI | 150 | 57 | +93 | #18 / #49 |
| Home solar per 1,000 accounts | 17.4 | 1.1 | +16 | #23 / #46 |
| Industry price 2025, ¢/kWh | 7.02 | 8.68 | -1.66 ¢ | #43 / #23 |
| Coal share of generation | 36.0% | 9.3% | +26.7 points | #9 / #28 |
| Solar output per kW | 1,316 | 1,400 | -84 | #36 / #18 |
| Bill as share of income | 1.90% | 2.23% | -0.3 points | #41 / #24 |
| Cooling degree-days, normal year | 161 | 672 | -511 | #46 / #29 |
| Typical monthly bill, energy only | $111 | $134 | -$24 | #47 / #34 |
31 measures compared for Montana and South Dakota; the CSV holds the 10 widest.
CSVMontana and South Dakota on the map
Montana and South Dakota: price over time
Home price, Montana and South Dakota, 2010 to 2025: 16 rows
| Year | Montana | South Dakota | Gap to U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 9.16 | 8.97 | -2.38 |
| 2011 | 9.75 | 9.35 | -1.97 |
| 2012 | 10.08 | 10.07 | -1.80 |
| 2013 | 10.33 | 10.26 | -1.80 |
| 2014 | 10.18 | 10.47 | -2.34 |
| 2015 | 10.88 | 11.08 | -1.77 |
| 2016 | 10.94 | 11.47 | -1.61 |
| 2017 | 10.95 | 11.77 | -1.94 |
| 2018 | 10.96 | 11.59 | -1.91 |
| 2019 | 11.13 | 11.55 | -1.88 |
| 2020 | 11.24 | 11.75 | -1.91 |
| 2021 | 11.22 | 12.22 | -2.44 |
| 2022 | 11.33 | 12.09 | -3.71 |
| 2023 | 12.54 | 12.32 | -3.46 |
| 2024 | 12.66 | 12.86 | -3.82 |
| 2025 | 12.98 | 13.38 | -4.32 |
Montana 9.16 to 12.98 ¢ and South Dakota 8.97 to 13.38 ¢ between 2010 and 2025 (EIA).
CSVYour bill in Montana and in South Dakota
Where Montana and South Dakota are alike
- Price change since 2015: +19% and +21%
- Major-event outage minutes: 159 and 136
- Price change, 2026 to date: +11.3% and +10.3%
- Hydro share of generation: 31.6% and 19.2%
Sources and dates: data sources.
Questions
Is Montana or South Dakota higher on petroleum share of generation?
Montana, by 1.7 points; they rank #4 and #42 of 51.
Is Montana or South Dakota higher on CO2 per mwh of generation?
Montana, by 722; they rank #12 and #46 of 51.
Is Montana or South Dakota higher on outage minutes a year?
Montana, by 93; they rank #18 and #49 of 50.
Is Montana or South Dakota higher on home solar per 1?
Montana, by 16; they rank #23 and #46 of 50.
Is Montana or South Dakota higher on industry price 2025?
South Dakota, by 1.66 ¢; they rank #43 and #23 of 51.
What would 878 kWh a month cost in Montana and in South Dakota?
Montana $114, South Dakota $117: $4 apart, energy only.
Where do Montana and South Dakota match most closely?
price change since 2015 (+19% and +21%); major-event outage minutes (159 and 136); price change, 2026 to date (+11.3% and +10.3%).