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Electricity rates in North Carolina

Average residential price, typical bill and appliance running costs in North Carolina, from official U.S. Energy Information Administration data.

Official EIA data · August 2026

Average rate, August 2026

14.95¢

per kWh

vs U.S. average

−17.7%

U.S.: 18.16¢

vs a year ago

+2.5%

was 14.59¢

Rank (1 = priciest)

#38 of 51

50 states + DC

What your kWh cost in North Carolina

kWh

Monthly kWh from your bill. 863 kWh is the 2024 U.S. household average.

EIA average residential price, August 2026. Your bill shows your exact rate.

Energy cost

$151.74

1,015 kWh × 14.95¢ (North Carolina average)

Per kWh
$0.1495
Per 100 kWh
$14.95
Per 1,000 kWh
$149.50

Average electric bill in North Carolina

2024 (EIA)North CarolinaU.S.
Monthly use1,015 kWh863 kWh
Average price14.13¢16.48¢
Monthly bill$143.50$142.26
Residential customers5,067,762143,144,185

At the August 2026 rate, the average North Carolina household's 1,015 kWh would cost about $151.74 a month.

What appliances cost to run in North Carolina

Yearly cost at 14.95¢/kWh. Where marked, the kWh are the average for homes with that appliance in the South Atlantic region (EIA RECS 2020); the rest use the example settings on each appliance's page.

AppliancekWh per yearCost per year
Space heater 4,320 $645.84
Central air conditioner * 3,112 $465.24
Electric water heater * 2,767 $413.67
Pool pump * 2,755 $411.87
Electric car * 2,594 $387.80
Window air conditioner 2,095 $313.13
Hot tub * 1,758 $262.82
Dehumidifier * 1,211 $181.04
Light bulbs * 674 $100.76
Electric clothes dryer * 657 $98.22
Refrigerator * 652 $97.47
Chest or upright freezer * 600 $89.70
Ceiling fan * 305 $45.60
Electric oven * 295 $44.10
TV * 212 $31.69
Microwave * 106 $15.85

* Regional average from the EIA Residential Energy Consumption Survey.

Where North Carolina ranks

North Carolina is #38 of 51 by average residential rate in August 2026 (1 = most expensive). It is highlighted on the map.

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE DC FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY
¢ per kWh 12.7–14.4 14.4–15.9 15.9–17.2 17.2–24.5 24.5–47.2

Rate history

PeriodNorth CarolinaU.S.
August 202614.95¢18.16¢
August 202514.59¢17.57¢
Year to date through August 202614.94¢18.19¢
Same period a year earlier13.81¢17.03¢
2024 annual average14.13¢16.48¢

Nearby states (South Atlantic)

StateRate (August 2026)Avg. bill (2024)
Delaware18.70¢$150.87
District of Columbia25.98¢$113.23
Florida14.99¢$156.09
Georgia15.90¢$151.25
Maryland21.40¢$165.87
South Carolina15.76¢$149.51
Virginia17.64¢$148.77
West Virginia16.31¢$154.76

See electricity rates in all 50 states.

Quick answers

What is the average electricity rate in North Carolina?

The average residential price in North Carolina was 14.95¢ per kWh in August 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That is −17.7% versus the U.S. average of 18.16¢ and ranks #38 of 51 (1 = most expensive).

What is the average electric bill in North Carolina?

In 2024, the average North Carolina household used 1,015 kWh a month and paid $143.50 a month (EIA). At the August 2026 rate, the same usage would cost about $151.74.

Are electricity prices going up in North Carolina?

The August 2026 average of 14.95¢/kWh compares with 14.59¢ a year earlier (+2.5%). For the year to date through August 2026, the average was 14.94¢, +8.2% versus the same period last year. Prices also change with the season, so compare the same month year over year.

Why is my rate different from the North Carolina average?

The EIA average is total residential revenue divided by kWh sold in the state. Your rate depends on your utility, your plan (fixed, variable or time-of-use) and fixed monthly charges, which weigh more per kWh in low-usage months.

Sources

Last reviewed November 2, 2026. Rates refreshed automatically when EIA publishes a new month.

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See everything

These are estimates. State rates are EIA averages (total residential revenue ÷ kWh sold), so they include fixed monthly charges spread across usage; your own price per kWh, time-of-use rates and taxes can differ. Real appliance use depends on the model, settings, climate and habits.