North Carolina electricity: average bill, price per kWh and 12-month trend

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average electric bill in North Carolina?

$152 a month, averaged over the 12 months to July 2026: the 29th highest of the 50 states plus D.C. (U.S.: $156). The July 2026 bill alone was $203. These are EIA averages across every home in the state, large and small.

How much does electricity cost per kWh in North Carolina?

14.95¢ per kWh for homes in August 2026, −17.7% against the U.S. average of 18.16¢. That is the 38th most expensive of the 50 states plus D.C. A year earlier it was 14.59¢.

When are electric bills highest in North Carolina?

Bills peaked in July 2026 at $203 and were lowest in October 2025 at $119. Winter and summer use are within 10% of each other, so the bill has two peaks a year: one for heating and one for cooling.

Can you choose your electricity provider in North Carolina?

North Carolina is not one of the 13 states plus D.C. that EIA lists with a residential retail choice program, nor one of the four with a limited program, so households buy electricity from their local utility. There is no competing supplier to switch to, and the way to a lower bill is using less. The North Carolina Utilities Commission puts it this way: utility providers are monopolies, and customers cannot usually choose them.

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

A 1,500 W space heater costs $0.22 an hour at North Carolina's August 2026 price, or $54 a month at 8 hours a day (U.S. average: $0.27 an hour). A heater with a thermostat cycles off once the room is warm, so this is a ceiling.