Electricity rates in Salem, NC
Salem (2,218 people, Burke County) is served by 6 electric utilities. Homes on Duke Energy Carolinas pay about 13.94¢/kWh, 6% less than the North Carolina average.
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Electric companies serving Salem
| Utility | Type | Rate | Avg bill | Homes (statewide) | Outage min |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy Carolinas | Investor-owned utility | 13.94¢ | $139 | 1.96M | 216 |
| Tennessee Valley Authority | Federal utility | — | — | 0 | — |
| Rutherford Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 13.18¢ | $151 | 72K | 149 |
| City of Morganton | Municipal utility | 12.21¢ | $109 | 7,066 | 43 |
| Blue Ridge Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 15.71¢ | $142 | 72K | 542 |
| Mountain Electric Co-op | Electric cooperative | 13.87¢ | $136 | 15K | 187 |
Power outages in Burke County right now
Checking live outages…
Outage history in Burke County
| 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Outage minutes per customer | 14,102 | 296 |
| Days with outages | 75 | 61 |
| Most customers out at once | 35,178 (178.2%) | 2,199 (11.1%) |
| Worst day | 2024-09-27 | 2025-03-16 |
Outage minutes by month, 2025
Less outage time than 2024 (14,102 min). Data: ORNL EAGLE-I county outage snapshots every 15 minutes, covering all utilities in the county.
Nearby cities
- Morganton 13.9¢
- Glen Alpine 13.9¢
- Drexel 13.9¢
- Valdese 13.9¢
- Rutherford College 13.9¢
- Connelly Springs 13.9¢
- Cajahs Mountain 13.9¢
- Icard 13.9¢
- Gamewell 13.9¢
- Sawmills 13.9¢
ZIP codes: 28628, 28655, 28680
Frequently asked questions
What is the electricity rate in Salem?
Most homes in Salem get power from Duke Energy Carolinas, where residential customers pay an average of 13.94¢/kWh including all charges. The North Carolina average is 14.77¢ and the U.S. average 17.99¢. Other utilities serving parts of Salem: Rutherford Electric Member Corp. (13.18¢), City of Morganton (12.21¢), Blue Ridge Electric Member Corp. (15.71¢).
What is the average electric bill in Salem?
About $139 a month, based on 996 kWh a month (the average for Duke Energy Carolinas customers) at 13.94¢/kWh. Homes with electric heat, pools or EVs pay more.
Who is the electric company in Salem, NC?
6 utilities serve Salem's ZIP codes: Duke Energy Carolinas, Tennessee Valley Authority, Rutherford Electric Member Corp., City of Morganton, Blue Ridge Electric Member Corp., Mountain Electric Co-op. Which one serves you depends on your street address.
How often does the power go out in Salem?
In 2025, customers in Burke County averaged 4 hr 56 min without power. Outages hit 61 days of the year, and the worst day was 2025-03-16, when 2,199 customers (11.1%) were out. Source: ORNL EAGLE-I.