What does it cost to run? Electricity cost calculator
Enter any appliance's wattage and how long you use it. We apply your state's current average electricity price to show the cost per hour, day, month and year.
Electricity cost calculator
Tip: the default is a 1,500-watt space heater. Find the wattage on the label on the back or underside of your appliance.
Energy used: 360.0 kWh per month. Default price is the U.S. residential average; pick your state or type the price from your own bill.
Start with a common appliance
Each page is pre-filled with a realistic wattage and usage, and includes a cost table for every state.
How the calculation works
Electricity is sold by the kilowatt-hour (kWh): the energy used by a 1,000-watt appliance running for one hour. The cost of running anything is therefore:
watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × price per kWh = cost
A 100-watt television watched for 5 hours uses 0.5 kWh. At 18.31 cents per kWh that is about 9 cents. A 1,500-watt space heater on for the same 5 hours uses 7.5 kWh and costs about $1.37. The difference between appliances is far larger than most people expect, which is why it is worth checking the big ones. Our guide to calculating electricity cost walks through it step by step.
Electricity prices vary widely by state
Where you live matters as much as what you plug in. The same appliance costs about 3.8 times as much to run in Hawaii, the most expensive state, as in Louisiana, the cheapest. These are the average residential prices for July 2026; the full table covers all 50 states and D.C.
| Most expensive | Per kWh |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | 48.00¢ |
| California | 33.61¢ |
| Maine | 32.41¢ |
| Massachusetts | 30.49¢ |
| New York | 29.90¢ |
| Least expensive | Per kWh |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | 12.72¢ |
| Nevada | 12.77¢ |
| Utah | 13.12¢ |
| North Dakota | 13.41¢ |
| Tennessee | 13.71¢ |
Why trust these numbers
Prices come from the U.S. Energy Information Administration's Electric Power Monthly, the federal government's official record of what utilities charge. Typical wattages are drawn from manufacturer nameplates and Department of Energy guidance. We explain every assumption on our methodology page, and every calculator lets you replace our defaults with your own figures.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how much an appliance costs to run?
Divide the appliance's watts by 1,000 to get kilowatts, multiply by the hours you use it, then multiply by your price per kWh. A 1,500-watt heater used for 4 hours at 18.31 cents per kWh costs 1.5 × 4 × $0.1831 = $1.10.
Where do I find the wattage of an appliance?
On the nameplate, a label or stamped panel usually on the back or underside. If it lists amps instead of watts, multiply amps by 120 volts for standard plug-in appliances or 240 volts for dryers, ranges and water heaters.
What is the average price of electricity in the U.S.?
The average residential price was 18.31 cents per kWh in July 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. State averages range from 12.72 cents in Louisiana to 48.00 cents in Hawaii.
Why is my real bill different from the estimate?
State averages hide differences between utilities and rate plans, and many appliances cycle on and off rather than drawing full power constantly. For the closest estimate, enter the price per kWh from your own bill and the hours the appliance is actually running.