Regional electricity unit rates UK today (by postcode)
See why electricity prices vary by region, check the typical unit rate and standing charge for your area, and compare whole-of-market home energy deals with EnergyPlus.co.uk.
- Compare electricity unit rates and standing charges across UK regions
- Find home tariffs available in your postcode area (whole-of-market comparison)
- Switch in minutes with a simple form—no call required
Rates vary by network area and tariff. We’ll show typical prices for your region and the deals you can actually switch to.
Compare regional electricity unit rates in your area
When people search for “regional electricity unit rates UK today”, what they usually want is simple: a realistic view of what electricity costs in their region—and whether switching could bring it down. Electricity prices can differ depending on the local electricity network (your Distribution Network Operator, or DNO) and the tariff structure.
Use the form to check options available for home energy in your postcode. We compare across the market and show plans based on your location—so you can see the unit rate (p/kWh) and standing charge (p/day) that matter most to your bill.
Get my regional rates & deals
Prefer to understand the numbers first? Jump to the regional rates table and then compare.
Why your electricity unit rate depends on your region
Two households on similar tariffs can pay different prices because the cost of distributing electricity isn’t the same everywhere. Your supplier price is made up of several parts, and some are region-specific.
Local network costs (DNO)
Your region’s distribution network charges vary. This influences both the unit rate and standing charge shown on tariffs.
Tariff type & payment method
Fixed vs variable, direct debit vs other payment methods, and time-of-use options can change your p/kWh—sometimes significantly.
Meter setup
Single-rate meters, Economy 7, smart meters and multi-rate tariffs all have different pricing structures, so like-for-like matters.
What counts as your “regional unit rate”?
When you see electricity pricing, there are usually two key figures:
- Unit rate (pence per kWh): what you pay for each unit of electricity you use.
- Standing charge (pence per day): a daily cost that covers fixed elements such as metering and network maintenance.
Your region mainly affects the distribution component of these charges. That’s why two people on “similar” tariffs might still have different prices. The best way to check is to compare using your postcode.
Important: “today’s rates” change
Electricity prices can change when tariff prices update, when the market moves, or when regulated caps (where applicable) adjust. Treat any table of UK regional rates as a guide—and confirm your personal prices in your quote.
Want accuracy over averages?
We’ll match tariffs to your postcode and show the unit rate and standing charge you’d actually pay.
Get my postcode ratesUK regional electricity unit rates (guide)
The table below explains how regions are commonly grouped for electricity pricing (often aligned to local networks). Use it to understand why your unit rate may differ—then use your postcode to see live, tariff-specific prices.
| Region / network area (example) | Typical unit rate driver | Typical standing charge driver | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (Greater London) | Distribution charges for dense urban networks can differ vs neighbouring regions. | Standing charge may be higher or lower depending on network cost allocation. | Check London postcode |
| South East (Kent, Sussex, Surrey) | Regional network charges and tariff competition affect p/kWh. | Standing charge varies by network area and meter type. | Check South East postcode |
| South West (Devon, Cornwall, Somerset) | Rural distribution costs can influence unit rates on some tariffs. | Standing charge can be more sensitive to network costs. | Check South West postcode |
| Midlands (West/East Midlands) | Different DNO regions mean different distribution add-ons within “the Midlands”. | Standing charge differs by local network zone. | Check Midlands postcode |
| North West (Manchester, Liverpool, Lancashire) | Network and tariff mix may lead to different p/kWh vs other regions. | Standing charge varies by DNO and meter setup. | Check North West postcode |
| Yorkshire & Humber | Regional distribution charges and supplier pricing approach can shift unit rates. | Standing charge differences are common even between nearby postcodes. | Check Yorkshire postcode |
| North East (Tyne & Wear, County Durham) | Network area and tariff competition impact the rate you see on quotes. | Standing charge varies by local network zone. | Check North East postcode |
| Scotland (Central Belt, Highlands & Islands vary) | Large geographic areas can see different distribution costs and pricing bands. | Standing charges can differ notably by network area and remoteness. | Check Scotland postcode |
| Wales (North/South may differ) | Different distribution areas can result in different p/kWh for similar tariffs. | Standing charge differences are common—especially across network borders. | Check Wales postcode |
If you want the most accurate picture of regional electricity unit rates today, use the postcode comparison above. It accounts for the tariff types available to you and highlights the total cost drivers (unit rate + standing charge).
How to reduce your electricity cost in your region
You can’t change your network area, but you can choose the tariff that best fits your home. Savings often come from the combination of lower unit rate, better standing charge, and a tariff structure that matches your usage.
- Check your current unit rate and standing charge on a recent bill or in your online account.
- Confirm your meter type (single-rate, Economy 7, smart meter / time-of-use).
- Compare whole-of-market deals for your postcode and usage pattern.
- Switch—your supply doesn’t change physically; only the billing supplier changes.
Common mistakes that raise bills
- Comparing only p/kWh and ignoring the standing charge
- Choosing Economy 7 without enough night usage (or vice versa)
- Not updating details after moving home
- Assuming the cheapest headline rate is available in every region
Regional considerations for UK households
If you’re comparing electricity prices across the UK, keep these regional realities in mind. They help explain why “today’s regional unit rates” aren’t identical nationwide.
Border postcodes
Neighbouring towns can sit in different network regions. That can change standing charges even with the same supplier.
All-electric homes
If your home uses electricity for heating (e.g., storage heaters), the unit rate matters even more—tariff fit becomes critical.
Time-of-use suitability
If you can shift usage (EV charging, laundry) to off-peak, time-of-use tariffs may outperform a lower headline rate.
FAQs: regional electricity unit rates UK
Why is my electricity unit rate higher than someone else’s?
Common reasons include different regional network charges, tariff type (fixed/variable), meter type (single-rate/Economy 7/smart), and payment method. Even two homes on the same supplier can have different rates if they’re in different distribution regions.
What should I compare: unit rate or standing charge?
Both. The unit rate (p/kWh) affects variable usage, while the standing charge (p/day) affects everyone. A lower unit rate can be offset by a higher standing charge depending on your consumption.
Do regional electricity rates change every day?
Most household tariffs don’t change daily in the way wholesale markets do. However, prices can be updated by suppliers over time, and some tariffs (or cap-related changes where relevant) update periodically. Your best “today” view is a tariff quote for your postcode.
Can I get the same electricity deal as another region?
Not always. Some suppliers price tariffs regionally, so the same named tariff can have different unit rates and standing charges depending on where you live.
Is this page for business electricity?
No. This page and the comparison form are for home energy only. If you’re looking for business energy, you’ll need a separate business comparison service.
Why households use EnergyPlus.co.uk
Real-world switching is about getting the right tariff for your postcode and meter—not chasing a national “average”.
“Clear breakdown of unit rate vs standing charge”
“I finally understood why my bill was higher than my sister’s in another area. The comparison showed the standing charge difference straight away.”
— Homeowner, North West
“Quick quote for my postcode”
“I didn’t want generic averages. Entered my postcode and got options that actually matched my meter.”
— Tenant, London
“No-nonsense switching”
“The steps were simple and the pricing was easy to compare. I switched to a tariff that better fits when we use electricity.”
— Family household, Wales
Ready to check your regional electricity unit rate today?
Enter your postcode and details once. We’ll match tariffs to your region and show electricity deals for your home—so you can compare unit rates and standing charges with confidence.
This comparison is for UK households (not business energy). Switching is handled by suppliers—your electricity supply won’t be interrupted.
Quick checklist
- Have a recent bill handy (optional)
- Know your postcode
- Check your meter type if possible
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