Electricity rates in North Carolina
Updated 2026-10-21 with EIA data through July 2026
Homes in North Carolina paid an average of 14.77¢ per kWh over the last 12 months, up from 11.03¢ in 2016. Businesses paid 10.53¢ and industry 7.86¢. Electricity is regulated, so your utility is set by your address.
What things cost to run in North Carolina
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North Carolina electricity price trend
Annual average residential price, 2010–2025. Since 2016, prices have risen +27%.
Power outages in North Carolina right now
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Electric utilities in North Carolina
106 utilities serve homes in North Carolina. Rates are average residential revenue per kWh, so they include fixed charges. Click a utility for rate plans, outage history and its service map.
Click or tap a county to see the electric companies that serve it.
| Utility | Type | Homes served | Rate | Avg bill | Outage min/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy Carolinas | Investor-owned | 1.96M | 13.94¢ | $139 | 216 |
| Duke Energy Progress | Investor-owned | 1.38M | 16.45¢ | $172 | 183 |
| EnergyUnited Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 124K | 12.23¢ | $149 | 169 |
| Virginia Electric & Power Co. | Investor-owned | 109K | 13.32¢ | $171 | 286 |
| Brunswick Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 108K | 14.60¢ | $158 | 41 |
| Union Electric Membership Corp. | Electric cooperative | 87K | 14.66¢ | $179 | 52 |
| Jones-Onslow Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 81K | 14.26¢ | $161 | 57 |
| Fayetteville Public Works Commission | Municipal | 76K | 12.54¢ | $126 | 116 |
| Blue Ridge Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 72K | 15.71¢ | $142 | 542 |
| Rutherford Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 72K | 13.18¢ | $151 | 149 |
| Greenville Utilities Comm | Municipal | 67K | 13.36¢ | $138 | 43 |
| Lumbee River Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 65K | 15.09¢ | $204 | 152 |
| Wake Electric Membership Corp. | Electric cooperative | 56K | 15.05¢ | $169 | 211 |
| South River Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 46K | 15.34¢ | $200 | 107 |
| Carteret-Craven El Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 39K | 13.13¢ | $138 | 118 |
| Town of High Point | Municipal | 39K | 12.29¢ | $114 | 109 |
| French Broad Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 36K | 17.07¢ | $138 | 144 |
| City of Wilson | Municipal | 32K | 13.53¢ | $151 | 66 |
| Randolph Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 32K | 17.02¢ | $179 | 225 |
| Four County Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 31K | 15.91¢ | $203 | 110 |
| Piedmont Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 31K | 16.46¢ | $196 | 503 |
| Haywood Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 30K | 17.76¢ | $146 | 776 |
| City of Concord | Municipal | 30K | 12.18¢ | $126 | 65 |
| Town of Apex | Municipal | 30K | 17.61¢ | $134 | 45 |
| Surry-Yadkin Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 28K | 18.46¢ | $196 | 249 |
| City of Gastonia | Municipal | 28K | 13.00¢ | $117 | 362 |
| City of Rocky Mount | Municipal | 24K | 13.87¢ | $152 | 81 |
| Tri-County Electric Member Corp (NC) | Electric cooperative | 23K | 14.00¢ | $182 | 89 |
| Tideland Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 22K | 17.29¢ | $169 | 205 |
| City of New Bern | Municipal | 22K | 15.54¢ | $164 | 115 |
| Central Electric Membership Corp. | Electric cooperative | 21K | 16.19¢ | $232 | 268 |
| Pee Dee Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 19K | 16.42¢ | $193 | 285 |
| City of Lexington | Municipal | 18K | 12.24¢ | $138 | 220 |
| Blue Ridge Mountain EMC | Electric cooperative | 16K | 15.57¢ | $149 | — |
| Mountain Electric Co-op | Electric cooperative | 15K | 13.87¢ | $136 | 187 |
| Albemarle Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 13K | 15.96¢ | $209 | 184 |
| City of Statesville | Municipal | 12K | 12.11¢ | $110 | 78 |
| Halifax Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 12K | 17.00¢ | $237 | 207 |
| Roanoke Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 12K | 21.80¢ | $256 | 179 |
| City of Washington | Municipal | 12K | 13.67¢ | $142 | — |
| City of Elizabeth City | Municipal | 12K | 12.67¢ | $145 | — |
| City of Monroe | Municipal | 11K | 12.34¢ | $120 | 31 |
| City of Albemarle | Municipal | 11K | 11.87¢ | $131 | 14 |
| Edgecombe-Martin County E M C | Electric cooperative | 11K | 17.40¢ | $206 | 104 |
| City of Kinston | Municipal | 10K | 13.65¢ | $150 | 64 |
| City of Lumberton | Municipal | 9,938 | 14.60¢ | $120 | 65 |
| Town of Clayton | Municipal | 9,415 | 16.67¢ | $199 | — |
| Pitt & Greene Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 9,267 | 15.41¢ | $272 | — |
| City of Shelby | Municipal | 9,219 | 9.91¢ | $174 | 71 |
| Town of Wake Forest | Municipal | 8,774 | 15.09¢ | $252 | 42 |
| Town of Huntersville | Municipal | 8,617 | 13.24¢ | $118 | 24 |
| Cape Hatteras Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 8,194 | 16.20¢ | $222 | 2,622 |
| New River Light & Power Co. | State-owned | 7,318 | 12.70¢ | $93 | 110 |
| City of Morganton | Municipal | 7,066 | 12.21¢ | $109 | 43 |
| Town of Smithfield | Municipal | 5,830 | 11.38¢ | $268 | — |
| City of Laurinburg | Municipal | 5,598 | 12.28¢ | $239 | — |
| Town of Tarboro | Municipal | 5,520 | 14.67¢ | $142 | — |
| City of Kings Mountain | Municipal | 5,487 | 13.15¢ | $292 | — |
| Town of Ayden | Municipal | 5,012 | 14.31¢ | $253 | — |
| City of Newton | Municipal | 4,946 | 10.77¢ | $279 | 354 |
| Town of Edenton | Municipal | 4,317 | 13.69¢ | $267 | — |
| Town of Forest City | Municipal | 4,288 | 11.63¢ | $228 | — |
| Town of Dallas | Municipal | 4,041 | 11.47¢ | $163 | — |
| Town of Cornelius | Municipal | 4,026 | 12.70¢ | $149 | 107 |
| Town of Pineville | Municipal | 4,026 | 11.87¢ | $328 | — |
| Town of Murphy | Municipal | 3,725 | 14.11¢ | $155 | — |
| Town of Landis | Municipal | 3,682 | 11.58¢ | $130 | — |
| City of Southport | Municipal | 3,635 | 12.26¢ | $175 | — |
| Town of Waynesville | Municipal | 3,568 | 12.75¢ | $230 | — |
| City of Winterville | Municipal | 3,427 | 13.28¢ | $176 | — |
| Town of Farmville | Municipal | 3,193 | 14.68¢ | $179 | — |
| Town of Selma | Municipal | 3,049 | 13.33¢ | $240 | — |
| City of Lincolnton | Municipal | 3,042 | 13.34¢ | $245 | — |
| City of Highlands | Municipal | 2,974 | 13.25¢ | $175 | — |
| City of Cherryville | Municipal | 2,653 | 12.61¢ | $200 | — |
| Town of Granite Falls | Municipal | 2,638 | 11.37¢ | $210 | 203 |
| Town of Benson | Municipal | 2,245 | 15.48¢ | $238 | 472 |
| Town of Louisburg | Municipal | 2,132 | 14.19¢ | $307 | — |
| Town of La Grange | Municipal | 1,949 | 13.91¢ | $165 | — |
| Town of Red Springs | Municipal | 1,754 | 16.03¢ | $266 | — |
| Town of Windsor | Municipal | 1,746 | 13.67¢ | $292 | — |
| Tri-State Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 1,581 | 16.40¢ | $139 | — |
| Town of Scotland Neck | Municipal | 1,355 | 15.77¢ | $234 | — |
| Town of Stantonsburg | Municipal | 1,335 | 12.47¢ | $166 | — |
| Town of Sharpsburg | Municipal | 1,260 | 16.73¢ | $194 | — |
| Town of Drexel | Municipal | 1,256 | 12.61¢ | $157 | — |
| Town of Enfield | Municipal | 1,220 | 15.88¢ | $184 | — |
| City of Hertford | Municipal | 1,202 | 12.27¢ | $212 | — |
| Town of Lucama | Municipal | 1,151 | 13.81¢ | $195 | — |
| Town of Belhaven | Municipal | 1,096 | 14.30¢ | $182 | — |
| City of Robersonville | Municipal | 893 | 13.67¢ | $248 | — |
| Town of Black Creek | Municipal | 864 | 16.61¢ | $208 | — |
| Town of Fremont | Municipal | 762 | 16.64¢ | $174 | — |
| Town of Pinetops | Municipal | 704 | 14.71¢ | $329 | — |
| Town of Pikeville | Municipal | 514 | 16.16¢ | $208 | — |
| Broad River Electric Co-op | Electric cooperative | 490 | 17.54¢ | $199 | — |
| Town of Hookerton | Municipal | 398 | 17.04¢ | $211 | — |
| Town of Fountain | Municipal | 297 | 17.13¢ | $202 | — |
| Town of MacClesfield | Municipal | 274 | 8.46¢ | $188 | — |
| Town of Hobgood | Municipal | 267 | 17.97¢ | $197 | — |
| Town of Hamilton | Municipal | 245 | 17.53¢ | $151 | — |
| Town of Oak City | Municipal | 225 | 14.86¢ | $176 | — |
| Town of Bostic | Municipal | 209 | 10.77¢ | $165 | — |
| Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative | Electric cooperative | 138 | 14.64¢ | $169 | — |
| Town of Walstonburg | Municipal | 137 | 15.19¢ | $180 | — |
| York Electric Co-op | Electric cooperative | 16 | 13.59¢ | $198 | — |
North Carolina vs. neighboring states
Energy costs at a glance
| Natural gas (homes) | $2.48/therm |
| Gasoline (regular) | $3.86/gal |
| Driving cost: EV vs. gas | 4.6¢ vs. 14¢/mi |
| Solar output (1 kW, Charlotte) | 1,416 kWh/yr |
| Avg. outage time (2025) | 3 hr 15 min/yr |
| Commercial rate | 10.53¢ |
| Industrial rate | 7.86¢ |
What appliances cost to run in North Carolina
| Appliance | Per month | Per year | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space heater | $24.36 | $122 | −$27 |
| Central air conditioner | $84.97 | $425 | −$93 |
| Refrigerator | $6.15 | $74 | −$16 |
| Electric car | $54.89 | $659 | −$144 |
| Electric clothes dryer | $10.13 | $122 | −$26 |
| Electric water heater | $55.39 | $665 | −$145 |
| Hot tub | $36.92 | $443 | −$97 |
| TV | $1.84 | $22 | −$5 |
| Pool pump (single-speed) | $61.14 | $306 | −$67 |
| Heat pump | $151 | $755 | −$165 |
Electricity rates by city in North Carolina
- Charlotte
- Raleigh
- Greensboro
- Durham
- Winston-Salem
- Fayetteville
- Cary
- Wilmington
- High Point
- Asheville
- Greenville
- Concord
- Gastonia
- Jacksonville
- Chapel Hill
- Rocky Mount
- Huntersville
- Burlington
- Wilson
- Kannapolis
- Apex
- Hickory
- Wake Forest
- Indian Trail
- Mooresville
- Goldsboro
- Monroe
- Salisbury
- Holly Springs
- Matthews
- New Bern
- Fort Bragg
- Sanford
- Cornelius
- Garner
- Thomasville
- Statesville
- Asheboro
- Mint Hill
- Fuquay-Varina
- Morrisville
- Kernersville
- Lumberton
- Kinston
- Carrboro
- Havelock
- Shelby
- Clemmons
- Lexington
- Clayton
- Boone
- Elizabeth City
- Leland
- Lenoir
- Morganton
- Hope Mills
- Albemarle
- Pinehurst
- Laurinburg
- Eden
- Roanoke Rapids
- Henderson
- Stallings
- Masonboro
- Graham
- Harrisburg
- Knightdale
- Murraysville
- Mount Holly
- Reidsville
- Hendersonville
- Mebane
- Lewisville
- Southern Pines
- Waxhaw
- Piney Green
- Spring Lake
- Newton
- Davidson
- Smithfield
- Archdale
- Tarboro
- Lincolnton
- Summerfield
- Kings Mountain
- Belmont
- Weddington
- Mount Airy
- Elon
- Waynesville
Frequently asked questions
What is the average electricity rate in North Carolina?
The average residential rate in North Carolina was 14.77¢ per kWh over the 12 months ending July 2026. That is 18% below the U.S. average of 17.99¢. In July 2026 alone it was 15.16¢, +13.4% from a year earlier.
What is the average electric bill in North Carolina?
About $154 a month. The average North Carolina home uses 1,044 kWh a month (EIA 2025), and we priced that at the current average rate. Bills vary with your utility, home size, heating type and season.
Is electricity expensive in North Carolina?
North Carolina ranks 18th cheapest of 51 (50 states plus DC) for residential electricity. That is near the middle of the pack.
Can I choose my electricity provider in North Carolina?
No. North Carolina homes buy electricity from the utility that serves their address: an investor-owned utility, electric cooperative or municipal utility.
Which electric company is cheapest in North Carolina?
Among utilities with at least 1,000 residential customers, City of Shelby has the lowest average rate at 9.91¢/kWh. The highest is Roanoke Electric Member Corp. at 21.80¢. Most homes can't switch utilities, since your address determines which one serves you.
How reliable is the power grid in North Carolina?
In 2025, the average North Carolina customer was without power for 3 hr 15 min (SAIDI, including major storms) across about 1.4 outages. Excluding major event days it was 2 hr 19 min. Figures are customer-weighted across utilities that report to EIA.
Sources: EIA-861M monthly sales and revenue (through July 2026), EIA-861 2025 utility data, EIA fuel prices, NREL PVWatts. Methodology.