EIA data through August 2026 · updated 2026-10-29

Electricity rates in 28653 — Montezuma, NC

Homes in ZIP 28653 pay about 12.5¢ per kWh (Mountain Electric Coop, Inc., 2024 average). The North Carolina average is 14.9¢ and the U.S. average 18.2¢ (Aug 2026).

Avg. home price12.5¢per kWh
UtilityMountain Electric Coop, Inc.
NC average14.9¢Aug 2026
U.S. average18.2¢Aug 2026
Avg. monthly bill$115923 kWh/month, 2024

What a month of electricity costs

500 kWh / month$63
900 kWh / month · avg. use$113
1,200 kWh / month$150

Monthly cost at the average price of 12.5¢ per kWh. Real bills add or subtract fixed charges, tiers, time-of-use and fuel adjustments.

Where ZIP 28653 is

Outlined: ZIP code area · scroll or pinch to zoom

Utilities serving 28653

UtilityHome priceAvg. billCustomers in NC
Mountain Electric Coop, Inc.
Cooperative
12.5¢
2024
$11515,491
Duke Energy Progress (NC)
Investor Owned · serves Avery County
16.8¢
Jan–Aug 2026
$1561,356,079
Blue Ridge Elec Member Corp (NC)
Cooperative · serves Avery County
14.6¢
2024
$12771,926

Utilities are matched to this ZIP code by NREL’s ZIP–utility table and the EIA service-territory list for Avery County; county matches may serve only part of the area. Prices are each utility’s average residential revenue per kWh.

North Carolina price trend

9¢12¢15¢18¢20222023202420252026North Carolina averageU.S. average 9¢12¢15¢18¢20222023202420252026North Carolina averageU.S. average
North Carolina averageU.S. average
Aug 202614.9¢per kWh
vs. 1 year ago+2.5%14.6¢
vs. 5 years ago+32%11.3¢
Record high16.3¢Apr 2026
Avg. home bill$1961,310 kWh, Aug
EIA forecast, South Atlantic16.0¢Dec 2027

Hover or tap the chart for exact monthly values. Source: EIA-861M (monthly, latest months preliminary); forecast: EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook (October 2026) for the South Atlantic region, which includes Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia.

Averages, not a quote. Prices here are what each utility’s residential customers paid on average (revenue ÷ kWh sold, fixed charges included), as reported to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Your own rate depends on your plan, season and usage — check your bill or your utility’s tariff.

Questions about 28653

How much does electricity cost in 28653?

About 12.5¢ per kWh for homes (Mountain Electric Coop, Inc., 2024 average, EIA). At 900 kWh a month that is roughly $113.

Who is the electric utility for 28653?

Mountain Electric Coop, Inc., with about 15,491 residential customers in North Carolina; 2 other utilities also serve parts of the area.

Is electricity in NC getting more expensive?

The North Carolina residential average was 14.9¢ per kWh in August 2026, up 2.5% from a year earlier; the U.S. average was 18.2¢.