CostToRunIt

South

Electricity costs in North Carolina

Residential customers in North Carolina pay an average of 15.09¢ per kWh — 17th cheapest of the 51 states and territories we track, and -18.2% against the national average.

North Carolina at a glance

Average rate15.09¢per kWh
National rank17thcheapest of 51
vs US average-18.2%national is 18.44¢
RegionSouthMay 2026 data

North Carolina runs a nuclear and natural gas mix alongside one of the largest solar buildouts in the Southeast, keeping rates below average. Retail service is regulated. Summer cooling drives the annual peak, and because electric heating is widespread, the winter shoulder carries more load than in neighbouring states with more gas heating.

Rate trend

2025-06 to 2026-05 · cents per kWh · 13.38¢ → 15.09¢

What appliances cost to run in North Carolina

Ranked by annual cost at typical usage and North Carolina’s average rate. Click through for the full calculation and to enter your own usage.

Annual appliance running costs in North Carolina
ApplianceWattskWh/yrPer monthPer year
Electric Furnace 15000W 14,783 $186 $2,231
EV Charger (Level 2) 7200W 7,884 $99.22 $1,190
Central Air Conditioner 3500W 6,643 $83.60 $1,002
Heat Pump 2400W 5,256 $66.14 $793
Space Heater 1500W 4,380 $55.12 $661
Pool Pump 1500W 4,380 $55.12 $661
Hot Tub 1500W 3,285 $41.34 $496
Garage Heater 5000W 3,285 $41.34 $496
Tankless Water Heater 18000W 2,628 $33.07 $397
Electric Baseboard Heater 1250W 2,555 $32.15 $386
Electric Water Heater 4000W 1,971 $24.80 $297
Window Air Conditioner 900W 1,840 $23.15 $278
Dehumidifier 500W 1,314 $16.54 $198
Electric Clothes Dryer 3000W 931 $11.71 $140
Slow Cooker 200W 584 $7.35 $88.13
Chest Freezer 200W 526 $6.61 $79.31
Electric Oven 2400W 526 $6.61 $79.31
Electric Stovetop 2000W 511 $6.43 $77.11
Refrigerator 150W 460 $5.79 $69.40
Desktop Computer 200W 409 $5.14 $61.69
Electric Lawn Mower 1200W 329 $4.13 $49.57
Well Pump 750W 274 $3.45 $41.31
Air Fryer 1500W 219 $2.76 $33.05
Box Fan 75W 219 $2.76 $33.05
Dishwasher 1200W 219 $2.76 $33.05
Microwave 1100W 201 $2.53 $30.29
Television 100W 183 $2.30 $27.54
Ceiling Fan 60W 175 $2.20 $26.44
Coffee Maker 900W 164 $2.07 $24.79
Gaming Console 150W 164 $2.07 $24.79
Electric Pressure Cooker 1000W 146 $1.84 $22.03
Toaster Oven 1400W 123 $1.54 $18.51
Laptop 60W 123 $1.54 $18.51
Computer Monitor 35W 102 $1.29 $15.42
Clothes Iron 1100W 100 $1.26 $15.15
WiFi Router 10W 88 $1.10 $13.22
Sump Pump 800W 88 $1.10 $13.22
Washing Machine 500W 73 $0.92 $11.02
Phone Charger 6W 7 $0.08 $0.99
Printer 50W 5 $0.06 $0.69

These use typical wattages and usage hours, at North Carolina’s state average rate. Your own utility tariff, any time-of-use pricing and fixed service charges will shift the real figure. See our methodology.