How the electricity tariff comparison works
Last updated 10 November 2026
Two households that use the same electricity can pay quite different amounts, depending on who supplies them and which tariff they are on. This page takes the residential rates that Eskom and three metros publish and works out what each would charge for the kWh you enter.
How it works
- Enter the kWh you use in a month. Your bill or prepaid meter shows it.
- Read the table, which lists every tariff in order of monthly cost, with its rate, VAT basis and the cost of each kWh at your use.
- Use the second table to see the published rates, block limits and fixed charges behind each figure.
Worked example
With the starting use of 430 kWh a month:
- The lowest monthly cost in the table is R 1 162.29 (Eskom, Homelight 20A (prepaid)).
- The highest is R 2 073.38 (Ekurhuleni, Residential B, three-phase (medium to high use)), which is R 911.09 more.
- At 150 kWh, the range runs from R 405.45 to R 958.22, so fixed charges matter more when use is low.
Blocks and fixed charges
Some tariffs charge a higher rate once your use passes a limit. The City of Cape Town Domestic tariff charges 413.79 cents a kWh up to 600 kWh in a month and 493.9 cents a kWh above that, both including VAT. At exactly 600 kWh the bill is R 2 557.51. At 700 kWh only the extra 100 kWh is charged at the higher rate, giving R 3 051.41. Many tariffs also add a fixed monthly charge, which you pay even if you use very little.
VAT basis
The comparison uses prices including VAT, because that is what you pay. Where a supplier prints both, the printed figures are used. Where it prints only excluding VAT (Ekurhuleni), the figure including VAT is derived with the VAT rate and marked as derived.
Eskom tariffs
Eskom Homelight tariffs are prepaid, with one flat rate and no fixed charge in the booklet. Homepower has a single energy rate made up of three per-kWh charges, plus a daily service charge. It also has network and generation capacity charges that depend on the size of your supply. Those are not included here, so the Homepower figure is lower than a real bill.
Eskom direct customers had an average increase of 8.76% from 1 April 2026 (NERSA decision of 5 March 2026). Municipal tariffs took effect on 1 July 2026, and each municipality sets its own increase.
Suppliers we could not list
Johannesburg (City Power) and Tshwane are not listed, because their documents do not say whether the rates include VAT. Mangaung (Centlec) is left out for the same reason and because its rate columns could not be read with confidence. Nelson Mandela Bay is left out because no municipal tariff schedule could be read. Buffalo City is left out because the layout of its tariff book could not be matched to the rates with confidence. Rural, time-of-use and indigent tariffs are also left out.
That does not mean those suppliers are dearer or cheaper. We left them out rather than guess.
What the estimate leaves out
The estimate covers the energy charge and the fixed charge only. It leaves out free basic electricity, time-of-use rates, network and generation capacity charges (Eskom Homepower), meter fees, and any rates, refuse or water charges on a municipal account.
Source links
Rates were read on 2026-11-10 from these documents:
- Eskom Tariffs and Charges Booklet 2026-2027
- City of Cape Town: Understanding residential electricity tariffs (from 1 July 2026)
- eThekwini Municipality: Tariffs and charges 2026/2027
- Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality: Annexure F, 2026/27 tariffs
- Eskom: NERSA decision for the 2026/27 financial year
About the figures
Rates were read on 2026-11-10 from each supplier’s own tariff document. Suppliers publish several tariffs, and which one applies to you depends on your meter, supply size and area. Check your own bill or the supplier before you rely on a figure. The Eskom booklet says it is informational and that the official Schedule of Standard Prices applies. This is a way to add up numbers, not advice on which supplier or tariff to use. Read the full disclaimer.
Things to watch
- Your own bill is the final word: your tariff, meter fees and any adjustments may differ from the figures here.
- Municipal and Eskom tariffs start on different dates, so compare the tariff year on each document.
Related: the electricity usage calculator, the load shedding cost calculator and the solar payback calculator.