What is the average electric bill in North Carolina?

The average North Carolina household pays about $152 a month for electricity, based on 1,029 kWh of use at 14.8¢ per kWh over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S. Energy Information Administration data).

How much does electricity cost per kWh in North Carolina?

Residential electricity in North Carolina averaged 14.8¢ per kWh over the 12 months to July 2026, and 15.2¢ in July 2026 alone. That is 18% below the U.S. average of 18.0¢, the 35th highest of the 50 states and D.C. These averages spread fixed service charges and surcharges over each kWh. Sales taxes added to bills may not be included.

When are electric bills highest in North Carolina?

In the last 12 months, the average North Carolina bill peaked in July 2026 at $203 and was lowest in October 2025 at $119.

How much electricity does a 1,500–1,999 sq ft home use in North Carolina?

A typical North Carolina home of 1,500–1,999 square feet uses about 1,011 kWh a month, and most use between 704 and 1,415 kWh. At the state's average rate that is roughly $149 a month. Based on EIA's Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS 2020).

Are electricity rates going up in North Carolina?

North Carolina's average residential rate changed +5.8% compared with the previous 12 months and +31.0% over five years.

How do I know if my North Carolina electric bill is too high?

Compare two things: how many kWh you used against similar homes, and what you paid per kWh against the state average. The free bill check on AverageElectricBill.com does both from the numbers on your bill, adjusting for the month and your home's size.

Rates by state / North Carolina

Residential electricity · updated July 2026

Average electric bill in North Carolina

The average North Carolina home paid 14.8¢ per kWh and about $152 a month over the 12 months to July 2026, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data. That rate is 18% below the U.S. average of 18.0¢, the 35th highest of 50 states and D.C.

Average rate

14.8¢/kWh

12 months to Jul 2026. Latest month 15.2¢.

Average bill

$152/mo

Average use × average rate

Average use

1,029kWh/mo

Per residential customer

1-year change

+5.8%

5 years: +31.0%

North Carolina electric bills by month

What the average residential customer actually paid each month: total residential revenue ÷ customers. Source: EIA.

Month	Avg use	Avg rate	Avg bill
July 2026	1,338 kWh	15.2¢	$203
June 2026	1,125 kWh	14.7¢	$166
May 2026	864 kWh	15.1¢	$130
April 2026	756 kWh	16.3¢	$123
March 2026	834 kWh	16.0¢	$133
February 2026	1,185 kWh	14.6¢	$173
January 2026	1,351 kWh	13.7¢	$185
December 2025	1,198 kWh	13.5¢	$161
November 2025	847 kWh	14.6¢	$124
October 2025	790 kWh	15.1¢	$119
September 2025	917 kWh	15.1¢	$139
August 2025	1,145 kWh	14.6¢	$167

Typical bill by home size in North Carolina

Monthly use of typical homes, all household sizes, priced at North Carolina's average rate of 14.8¢. Source: EIA RECS 2020 and EIA retail sales.

Home size	Typical use	Most homes	Typical bill
Under 1,000 sq ft	547 kWh	340–864 kWh	$81
1,000–1,499 sq ft	833 kWh	579–1,175 kWh	$123
1,500–1,999 sq ft	1,011 kWh	704–1,415 kWh	$149
2,000–2,999 sq ft	1,213 kWh	880–1,681 kWh	$179
3,000+ sq ft	1,518 kWh	1,100–2,126 kWh	$224

Summer and winter months run higher than these yearly averages. Check your own bill to compare a specific month.

Apartment electric bills in North Carolina · Electric bill for one person in North Carolina

What uses the most electricity in North Carolina homes

Average yearly use by purpose for North Carolina homes, priced at 14.8¢ per kWh. Source: EIA RECS 2020 (479 surveyed homes).

UsekWh / yr≈ $ / mo

Air conditioning2,622 (21%)$32

Space heating2,193 (18%)$27

Water heating2,171 (17%)$27

Everything else plugged in1,486 (12%)$18

Refrigerators and freezers1,018 (8%)$13

Lighting673 (5%)$8

Washer and dryer672 (5%)$8

TVs and electronics615 (5%)$8

Cooking and dishwasher461 (4%)$6

Fans and dehumidifiers451 (4%)$6

Pool and hot tub121 (1%)$1

EV charging14 (0%)$0

62% of North Carolina homes heat mainly with electricity. They use about 13,437 kWh a year, against 10,938 kWh in homes heated another way.

Why is my electric bill so high?

Monthly rate, last 5 years

North CarolinaU.S. average

Monthly prices swing with the season because fixed charges are spread over fewer or more kWh.

How much electricity North Carolina homes use

kWh per home per month

Electricity rates by utility in North Carolina

Average residential revenue per kWh in 2025, largest 25 of 54 by customers. Source: EIA-861.

Find your utility in North Carolina

Utility	Customers	Rate	Avg use / mo	1-yr change
Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC	1,961,108	13.4¢	996 kWh	-3.8%
Duke Energy Progress - (NC)	1,383,941	15.2¢	1,046 kWh	-2.3%
EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp	124,446	11.6¢	1,215 kWh	+0.6%
Virginia Electric & Power Co	109,057	12.7¢	1,285 kWh	-8.5%
Brunswick Electric Member Corp	108,087	13.3¢	1,081 kWh	-2.3%
Union Electric Membership Corp - (NC)	86,852	13.9¢	1,220 kWh	+4.1%
Jones-Onslow Elec Member Corp	81,070	13.4¢	1,131 kWh	+2.3%
Fayetteville Public Works Commission	75,618	12.1¢	1,004 kWh	-0.6%
Blue Ridge Elec Member Corp - (NC)	72,320	14.9¢	904 kWh	+2.3%
Rutherford Elec Member Corp	72,060	13.0¢	1,144 kWh	-0.8%
Greenville Utilities Comm	66,779	12.7¢	1,032 kWh	+5.9%
Lumbee River Elec Member Corp	65,422	14.3¢	1,352 kWh	+11.8%
Wake Electric Membership Corp	56,069	14.3¢	1,122 kWh	+6.5%
South River Elec Member Corp	46,422	14.6¢	1,305 kWh	+9.5%
Carteret-Craven El Member Corp	39,424	12.5¢	1,055 kWh	+2.6%
Town of High Point	38,553	11.7¢	932 kWh	+0.3%
French Broad Elec Member Corp	36,049	16.2¢	808 kWh	+9.7%
City of Wilson - (NC)	32,472	12.8¢	1,115 kWh	+5.9%
Randolph Electric Member Corp	31,531	16.1¢	1,054 kWh	+1.5%
Four County Elec Member Corp	31,222	15.1¢	1,279 kWh	+8.0%
Piedmont Electric Member Corp	30,640	15.6¢	1,189 kWh	+0.2%
Haywood Electric Member Corp	30,307	16.9¢	823 kWh	+1.6%
City of Concord - (NC)	30,029	11.6¢	1,034 kWh	-2.3%
Town of Apex- (NC)	29,754	16.7¢	762 kWh	+58.9%
Surry-Yadkin Elec Member Corp	28,296	17.5¢	1,059 kWh	+9.2%

All 54 utilities in North Carolina

City of Gastonia - (NC) 12.3¢
City of Rocky Mount - (NC) 13.2¢
Tri-County Elec Member Corp (NC) 13.3¢
Tideland Electric Member Corp 16.4¢
City of New Bern - (NC) 14.8¢
Central Electric Membership Corp. - (NC) 15.4¢
Pee Dee Electric Member Corp 15.6¢
City of Lexington - (NC) 11.6¢
Blue Ridge Mountain EMC - (GA) 14.8¢
Mountain Electric Coop, Inc 13.2¢
Albemarle Electric Member Corp 15.2¢
City of Statesville - (NC) 11.5¢
Roanoke Electric Member Corp 20.7¢
City of Washington - (NC) 13.0¢
City of Elizabeth City - (NC) 12.0¢
City of Monroe - (NC) 11.7¢
City of Albemarle - (NC) 11.3¢
Edgecombe-Martin County E M C 16.5¢
City of Kinston - (NC) 13.0¢
City of Lumberton - (NC) 13.9¢
Town of Huntersville - (NC) 12.6¢
New River Light & Power Co 12.1¢
City of Morganton - (NC) 11.6¢
Town of Tarboro - (NC) 13.9¢
Town of Murphy - (NC) 13.4¢
Tri-State Electric Member Corp 15.6¢
Broad River Electric Coop, Inc 16.6¢
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative 13.9¢
York Electric Coop Inc 12.9¢

North Carolina electricity: common questions

What is the average electric bill in North Carolina?: The average North Carolina household pays about $152 a month for electricity, based on 1,029 kWh of use at 14.8¢ per kWh over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S. Energy Information Administration data).
How much does electricity cost per kWh in North Carolina?: Residential electricity in North Carolina averaged 14.8¢ per kWh over the 12 months to July 2026, and 15.2¢ in July 2026 alone. That is 18% below the U.S. average of 18.0¢, the 35th highest of the 50 states and D.C. These averages spread fixed service charges and surcharges over each kWh. Sales taxes added to bills may not be included.
When are electric bills highest in North Carolina?: In the last 12 months, the average North Carolina bill peaked in July 2026 at $203 and was lowest in October 2025 at $119.
How much electricity does a 1,500–1,999 sq ft home use in North Carolina?: A typical North Carolina home of 1,500–1,999 square feet uses about 1,011 kWh a month, and most use between 704 and 1,415 kWh. At the state's average rate that is roughly $149 a month. Based on EIA's Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS 2020).
Are electricity rates going up in North Carolina?: North Carolina's average residential rate changed +5.8% compared with the previous 12 months and +31.0% over five years.
What uses the most electricity in North Carolina homes?: In a typical North Carolina home, air conditioning uses the most electricity (about 2,622 kWh a year, 21% of the total), followed by space heating (18%) and water heating (17%). Homes heated with electricity use about 13,437 kWh a year, compared with 10,938 kWh for homes heated another way. Source: EIA RECS 2020.
How do I know if my North Carolina electric bill is too high?: Compare two things: how many kWh you used against similar homes, and what you paid per kWh against the state average. The free bill check on AverageElectricBill.com does both from the numbers on your bill, adjusting for the month and your home's size.

States with similar rates

Florida 15.4¢
New Mexico 15.3¢
Georgia 15.1¢
Kansas 15.1¢
Mississippi 14.8¢
South Dakota 14.2¢

Is your North Carolina bill normal?

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