How Duke Energy Carolinas compares with the utilities next door
| Utility | 2024 ¢/kWh | Customers | Δ vs Duke Energy Carolinas, ¢/kWh | $/yr difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town of Apex | 10.52 | 29,289 | -3.42 | -$370 |
| City of Morganton | 10.67 | 7,055 | -3.27 | -$353 |
| City of Albemarle | 10.85 | 11,248 | -3.09 | -$334 |
| EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp | 11.54 | 121,995 | -2.40 | -$259 |
| Town of High Point | 11.63 | 38,079 | -2.31 | -$249 |
| City of Statesville | 11.71 | 12,120 | -2.23 | -$241 |
| City of Lexington | 11.75 | 18,053 | -2.19 | -$237 |
| City of Concord | 11.85 | 29,857 | -2.09 | -$226 |
| Town of Huntersville | 12.12 | 8,080 | -1.81 | -$196 |
| City of Monroe | 12.28 | 10,543 | -1.65 | -$179 |
| City of Gastonia | 12.40 | 27,008 | -1.54 | -$166 |
| Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC (this page) | 13.94 | 1,919,372 | — | — |
26 bundled utilities (≥5,000 customers) share at least one county with Duke Energy Carolinas. Showing the 11 cheapest. Positive $/yr = that utility's customers pay more than Duke Energy Carolinas customers at the same usage. Territories are fixed by address — these gaps measure cost differences between areas, not options you can pick between.
Where Duke Energy Carolinas customers pay more (county benchmark)
| County | Cheapest utility in county | Their ¢/kWh | Duke Energy Carolinas premium, $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay | Town of Apex | 10.52 | +$370 |
| Graham | Town of Apex | 10.52 | +$370 |
| Swain | Town of Apex | 10.52 | +$370 |
| Wake | Town of Apex | 10.52 | +$370 |
| Burke | City of Morganton | 10.67 | +$353 |
| Stanly | City of Albemarle | 10.85 | +$334 |
| Alexander | EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp | 11.54 | +$259 |
| Cabarrus | EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp | 11.54 | +$259 |
Multiple utilities in one county means adjoining territories, not household choice — you cannot switch wires companies. Showing the 8 highest-premium counties of 44 served.
Rate trend and size
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average price, ¢/kWh | 11.88 | 13.94 | +17.3% |
| Residential customers | 1,874,207 | 1,919,372 | +2.4% |
Ownership: Investor Owned. Statewide context: North Carolina electricity rates.
Supply vs delivery on a Duke Energy Carolinas bill
North Carolina is a regulated retail market — Duke Energy Carolinas customers cannot choose a different supplier; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings. Official information: ncuc.gov.
Counties served (NC, EIA-861 2024)
Alamance · Alexander · Anson · Buncombe · Burke · Cabarrus · Caldwell · Caswell · Catawba · Chatham · Cherokee · Clay · Cleveland · Davidson · Davie · Durham · Forsyth · Gaston · Graham · Granville · Guilford · Henderson · Iredell · Jackson · Lincoln · Macon · McDowell · Mecklenburg · Orange · Person · Polk · Randolph · Rockingham · Rowan · Rutherford · Stanly · Stokes · Surry · Swain · Transylvania · Union · Wake · Wilkes · Yadkin
Head-to-head comparisons
- Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC vs Duke Energy Progress
- Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC vs EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp
- Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC vs Dominion Energy Virginia
- Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC vs Union Electric Membership Corp
- Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC vs Blue Ridge Elec Member Corp
- Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC vs Rutherford Elec Member Corp
- Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC vs Wake Electric Membership Corp
Questions people ask
- Is Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC more expensive than other North Carolina utilities?
- Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC customers paid an average 13.94 cents/kWh in 2024 — 1% below the North Carolina volume-weighted average of 14.13 cents (EIA-861, bundled residential service).
- Can I switch away from Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC?
- No — distribution territory is fixed by address and North Carolina has no residential supplier shopping. Rate changes go through the state utility commission (ncuc.gov).
- How many customers does Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC have?
- 1,919,372 residential customers in North Carolina in 2024 across 44 counties, per its EIA-861 federal filing. Ownership type: investor-owned.