North Carolina Utility Rate Estimator
Estimate your monthly and annual utility costs for electricity, natural gas, and water based on North Carolina average rates and your household usage.
Electricity
NC average household: ~1,100 kWh/month (EIA 2023)Natural Gas
NC average household: ~50 therms/month in winter, ~10 in summerWater & Sewer
NC average household: ~3,000 gallons/month Typical NC sewer charge is ~85% of water billFormulas Used
Electricity Monthly Bill
= Base Charge + (kWh × Energy Rate) + (kWh × Fuel Adder) + 7% NC Sales Tax
Natural Gas Monthly Bill
= Base Charge + (Therms × Distribution Rate) + (Therms × Commodity Rate) + 7% NC Sales Tax
Water Monthly Bill
= Base Charge + Tiered Usage Charge
where Tiered Usage = ∑ [(gallons in tier ÷ 1,000) × tier rate]
Sewer Monthly Bill
= Water Bill × Sewer Percentage (typically 85%)
Total Monthly Cost = Electricity + Gas + Water + Sewer
Total Annual Cost = Total Monthly × 12
Assumptions & References
- Duke Energy Carolinas (RS): Base $14.00/mo; 10.20 ¢/kWh energy + 2.10 ¢/kWh fuel adjustment. Source: Duke Energy NC Rate Schedule RS, 2024.
- Duke Energy Progress (RES): Base $14.00/mo; 10.00 ¢/kWh energy + 2.30 ¢/kWh fuel adjustment. Source: Duke Energy Progress Rate Schedule RES, 2024.
- Dominion Energy NC (Electric): Base $7.00/mo; 9.80 ¢/kWh energy + 2.50 ¢/kWh fuel. Source: Dominion Energy NC Tariff, 2024.
- NC EMC Average: Base $20.00/mo; 11.50 ¢/kWh all-in. Source: NC Electric Membership Corporation average residential rate, 2023.
- Piedmont Natural Gas: Base $12.00/mo; $0.385/therm distribution + ~$0.75/therm commodity. Source: Piedmont Natural Gas Rate Schedule R-1, 2024.
- Dominion Energy NC (Gas): Base $10.00/mo; $0.42/therm distribution + ~$0.72/therm commodity. Source: Dominion Energy NC Gas Tariff, 2024.
- Charlotte Water: Base $4.50/mo; tiered at $3.80 (0–2,000 gal), $5.10 (2,001–5,000 gal), $7.20 (5,001+ gal). Source: Charlotte Water Rate Schedule, FY2024.
- City of Raleigh Water: Base $5.00/mo; tiered at $3.50, $4.80, $6.90/1,000 gal. Source: City of Raleigh Utility Rates, 2024.
- City of Durham Water: Base $6.00/mo; tiered at $4.00, $5.50, $7.80/1,000 gal. Source: City of Durham Utility Billing, 2024.
- NC Statewide Average Water: Flat $5.00/1,000 gal + $5.00 base. Source: AWWA Water Rate Survey 2023.
- Sewer: Typically billed as a percentage of water consumption (default 85%). Varies by municipality.
- NC Sales Tax: 7% applied to electricity and natural gas per NC General Statute § 105-164.4.
- Average Usage: NC average residential electricity ~1,100 kWh/month (EIA, 2023). Average water ~3,000 gal/month (EPA WaterSense).
- Rates are estimates based on published 2023–2024 tariffs and may not reflect current fuel adjustments, riders, or municipal surcharges. Contact your utility for exact billing.