Menu

Electricity Rates in North Carolina

Homes in North Carolina paid an average of 15.16¢ per kWh in July 2026, 17% below the U.S. average (18.31¢). That's the 16th lowest rate of the 50 states and DC, and 4% higher than in August 2025.

Average rate
15.16¢
per kWh, July 2026
Rank
16th
lowest of 51
Average bill
$156.00
a month, 1,029 kWh

Data: EIA, July 2026. Average residential price and use.

North Carolina rate over the last 12 months

12¢14.5¢17¢August 2025: 14.60¢ per kWhSeptember 2025: 15.12¢ per kWhOctober 2025: 15.05¢ per kWhNovember 2025: 14.64¢ per kWhDecember 2025: 13.47¢ per kWhJanuary 2026: 13.68¢ per kWhFebruary 2026: 14.64¢ per kWhMarch 2026: 16.00¢ per kWhApril 2026: 16.25¢ per kWhMay 2026: 15.09¢ per kWhJune 2026: 14.74¢ per kWhJuly 2026: 15.16¢ per kWhAug 2025Jul 202615.16¢
Show the monthly rates
North Carolina average residential electricity rate, last 12 months
MonthCents per kWh
August 202514.60¢
September 202515.12¢
October 202515.05¢
November 202514.64¢
December 202513.47¢
January 202613.68¢
February 202614.64¢
March 202616.00¢
April 202616.25¢
May 202615.09¢
June 202614.74¢
July 202615.16¢

The rate went from 14.60¢ in August 2025 to 15.16¢ in July 2026. Rates often rise in summer, when demand peaks, so compare the same month year to year.

What appliances cost to run in North Carolina

At 15.16¢ per kWh, with typical wattage and daily use, 30 days a month. Price any appliance in North Carolina.

Monthly cost to run common appliances in North Carolina
AppliancePer monthUse
Space heater$54.581,500 W, 8 h a day
Central air conditioner (3 ton)$127.343,500 W, 8 h a day
Window air conditioner$32.75900 W, 8 h a day
Refrigerator$5.46150 W, 8 h a day
Electric clothes dryer$10.233,000 W, 0.75 h a day
Electric water heater$61.404,500 W, 3 h a day
Dishwasher$4.091,200 W, 0.75 h a day
TV (55 inch LED)$2.27100 W, 5 h a day
Desktop computer$5.46150 W, 8 h a day
LED bulb (60 W equivalent)$0.209 W, 5 h a day

North Carolina compared with nearby ranks

States with rates close to North Carolina
RankStateRate
14thMontana14.99¢
15thFlorida15.03¢
16thNorth Carolina15.16¢
17thKansas15.27¢
18thSouth Dakota15.37¢

See all 50 states and DC.

About these numbers

  • The rate is the EIA's average residential price for North Carolina: all residential revenue divided by kWh sold. It includes delivery charges and fees spread over every kWh.
  • Your rate depends on your utility and plan. Divide your bill's total by the kWh used to find yours.
  • The average bill uses the average monthly use over the last 12 months at the latest rate. Bills are higher in the months you heat or cool with electricity.

Questions people ask

What is the average electricity rate in North Carolina?

15.16¢ per kWh for homes in July 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That's 17% below the U.S. average of 18.31¢ and the 16th lowest of the 50 states and DC.

What is the average electric bill in North Carolina?

About $156.00 a month: the average North Carolina home uses 1,029 kWh a month (12-month average), at 15.16¢ per kWh. The U.S. average is about $159.30.

How much does it cost to run a space heater in North Carolina?

A 1,500 W space heater costs about $0.23 an hour in North Carolina, or $54.58 a month if it runs 8 hours a day.