Cost to Run Microwave Oven in North Carolina (2026)
At North Carolina's average rate of 14.09¢/kWh, running a Microwave Oven costs $2.54/month or $30.86/year. That's 18.2% less than the national average of $3.10/month.
Monthly Cost
$2.54
in North Carolina
Yearly Cost
$30.86
in North Carolina
State Rate
14.09¢
per kWh
National Rank
#18
of 50 states
Microwave Oven Energy Usage
| Wattage | 1,200 watts |
| Typical Daily Use | 0.5 hours/day |
| Daily kWh | 0.60 kWh |
| Monthly kWh | 18.0 kWh |
| Category | Kitchen |
North Carolina vs National Average: Microwave Oven Costs
| Metric | North Carolina | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity Rate | 14.09¢/kWh | 17.22¢/kWh | -3.13¢ |
| Monthly Microwave Oven Cost | $2.54 | $3.10 | $-0.56 |
| Yearly Microwave Oven Cost | $30.86 | $37.71 | $-6.85 |
Microwave Oven Cost in Neighboring States
How does running a Microwave Oven in North Carolina compare to nearby states?
| State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly | vs NC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina (this state) | 14.09¢ | $2.54 | $30.86 | - |
| Georgia | 14.27¢ | $2.57 | $31.25 | +$0.03 |
| South Carolina | 14.43¢ | $2.60 | $31.60 | +$0.06 |
| Tennessee | 12.91¢ | $2.32 | $28.27 | $-0.21 |
| Virginia | 14.64¢ | $2.64 | $32.06 | +$0.10 |
Microwave Oven Cost: All 50 States Ranked
North Carolina ranks #18 out of 50 for Microwave Oven running costs (1 = cheapest).
| # | State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho | 11.15¢ | $2.01 | $24.42 |
| 2 | Washington | 11.26¢ | $2.03 | $24.66 |
| 3 | Utah | 11.41¢ | $2.05 | $24.99 |
| 4 | Wyoming | 11.72¢ | $2.11 | $25.67 |
| 5 | North Dakota | 12.43¢ | $2.24 | $27.22 |
| 6 | Louisiana | 12.52¢ | $2.25 | $27.42 |
| 7 | Oregon | 12.55¢ | $2.26 | $27.48 |
| 8 | Montana | 12.81¢ | $2.31 | $28.05 |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 12.82¢ | $2.31 | $28.08 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 12.91¢ | $2.32 | $28.27 |
| 11 | Arkansas | 13.04¢ | $2.35 | $28.56 |
| 12 | Nebraska | 13.08¢ | $2.35 | $28.65 |
| 13 | Kentucky | 13.19¢ | $2.37 | $28.89 |
| 14 | West Virginia | 13.44¢ | $2.42 | $29.43 |
| 15 | Mississippi | 13.54¢ | $2.44 | $29.65 |
| 16 | South Dakota | 13.74¢ | $2.47 | $30.09 |
| 17 | Missouri | 13.78¢ | $2.48 | $30.18 |
| 18 | North Carolina | 14.09¢ | $2.54 | $30.86 |
| 19 | Georgia | 14.27¢ | $2.57 | $31.25 |
| 20 | South Carolina | 14.43¢ | $2.60 | $31.60 |
| 21 | Virginia | 14.64¢ | $2.64 | $32.06 |
| 22 | Arizona | 14.78¢ | $2.66 | $32.37 |
| 23 | Alabama | 14.87¢ | $2.68 | $32.57 |
| 24 | Nevada | 14.92¢ | $2.69 | $32.67 |
| 25 | Delaware | 14.94¢ | $2.69 | $32.72 |
| 26 | Texas | 15.06¢ | $2.71 | $32.98 |
| 27 | Iowa | 15.14¢ | $2.73 | $33.16 |
| 28 | Ohio | 15.21¢ | $2.74 | $33.31 |
| 29 | Kansas | 15.28¢ | $2.75 | $33.46 |
| 30 | New Mexico | 15.34¢ | $2.76 | $33.59 |
| 31 | Indiana | 15.42¢ | $2.78 | $33.77 |
| 32 | Colorado | 15.56¢ | $2.80 | $34.08 |
| 33 | Minnesota | 15.63¢ | $2.81 | $34.23 |
| 34 | Florida | 16.22¢ | $2.92 | $35.52 |
| 35 | Illinois | 16.27¢ | $2.93 | $35.63 |
| 36 | Maryland | 16.57¢ | $2.98 | $36.29 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | 17.38¢ | $3.13 | $38.06 |
| 38 | Pennsylvania | 18.36¢ | $3.30 | $40.21 |
| 39 | New Jersey | 18.48¢ | $3.33 | $40.47 |
| 40 | Michigan | 19.34¢ | $3.48 | $42.35 |
| 41 | Vermont | 21.43¢ | $3.86 | $46.93 |
| 42 | Alaska | 24.21¢ | $4.36 | $53.02 |
| 43 | New York | 24.33¢ | $4.38 | $53.28 |
| 44 | New Hampshire | 25.78¢ | $4.64 | $56.46 |
| 45 | Maine | 26.37¢ | $4.75 | $57.75 |
| 46 | Rhode Island | 28.08¢ | $5.05 | $61.50 |
| 47 | Massachusetts | 28.58¢ | $5.14 | $62.59 |
| 48 | Connecticut | 29.98¢ | $5.40 | $65.66 |
| 49 | California | 31.22¢ | $5.62 | $68.37 |
| 50 | Hawaii | 43.18¢ | $7.77 | $94.56 |
Save Money on Microwave Oven in North Carolina
- Use your Microwave Oven efficiently by running full loads and avoiding preheating when not needed.
- Consider batch cooking to reduce overall kitchen appliance running time.
- Match your Microwave Oven size to your household needs - oversized appliances waste energy.
- Use lids on pots and pans to cook faster and reduce energy consumption.
- Look for Energy Star certified Microwave Oven models that use 10-50% less energy than standard models.
- Consider installing solar panels in North Carolina to offset your Microwave Oven electricity costs.
- Check if your North Carolina utility offers time-of-use rates and run your Microwave Oven during off-peak hours.
- Ensure proper maintenance of your Microwave Oven to keep it running at peak efficiency.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to run a Microwave Oven in North Carolina?
Running a Microwave Oven in North Carolina costs approximately $2.54 per month or $30.86 per year, based on the state's average residential rate of 14.09¢/kWh and typical usage of 0.5 hours per day.
Is running a Microwave Oven expensive in North Carolina compared to other states?
North Carolina ranks #18 out of 50 states for Microwave Oven running costs (1 = cheapest). It's 18.2% cheaper than the national average. The cheapest state is Idaho at $2.01/month, and the most expensive is Hawaii at $7.77/month.
How much electricity does a Microwave Oven use per month?
A typical Microwave Oven uses 1200 watts and runs about 0.5 hours per day, consuming approximately 0.60 kWh daily or 18.0 kWh per month.
How can I reduce Microwave Oven electricity costs in North Carolina?
You can reduce costs by using an Energy Star rated Microwave Oven, running it during off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use rates, ensuring proper maintenance, and considering solar panels to offset electricity costs in North Carolina.
What is the electricity rate in North Carolina?
The average residential electricity rate in North Carolina is 14.09¢ per kWh. The primary energy source is Nuclear, with 13.0% from renewable sources.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)