How much does it cost to run a dishwasher?
Short answer: A dishwasher drawing 600 watts for 120 minutes costs about $0.22 per use at the U.S. average residential price of 18.31¢ per kWh. Used 5 times a week, that is about $4.76 per month and $57.13 per year. In Louisiana, the cheapest state, the same use costs $3.31 a month; in Hawaii, the most expensive, $12.48.
Dishwasher cost calculator
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Minutes per cycle. A normal cycle on a modern dishwasher takes around two hours. The wattage is the average over the whole cycle.
Uses 26.0 kWh per month. The starting price is the U.S. residential average; choose your state or type the price from your own bill.
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| Appliance | Usage | Per month | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | |||
| Per year |
A dishwasher uses electricity in bursts: a heating element that warms the water and dries the dishes, and a small pump motor in between. Averaged over a two-hour normal cycle, a modern machine uses about 1 to 1.5 kWh.
Cost by size and setting
Costs below use the U.S. average price and 120 minutes per use, 5 times a week.
| Type | Power | Per use | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENERGY STAR model, normal cycle | 450 W | $0.16 | $3.57 |
| Standard model, normal cycle | 600 W | $0.22 | $4.76 |
| Heavy cycle with heated dry | 900 W | $0.33 | $7.14 |
Where the energy goes
Most of it goes into heat. The machine raises the water to around 130 to 140°F for washing, heats it again for the final rinse, and may then run a heating element to dry the dishes. The circulation pump and controls use comparatively little. This is why cycle choice matters far more than cycle length: an eco cycle runs longer but heats the water less, and uses less electricity overall.
If your home has a gas water heater, part of the energy for hot water appears on the gas bill rather than the electric bill, because the dishwasher draws pre-heated water from the tank.
Dishwasher or washing by hand?
A full dishwasher generally uses less hot water than washing the same load by hand under a running tap, and hot water is the expensive part. The advantage shrinks if you run the machine half empty or rinse every plate under hot water first. Scraping is enough for a modern machine.
How to lower the cost
- Run full loads. The Department of Energy includes this in its energy-saving kitchen tips.
- Turn off heated dry and open the door at the end of the cycle.
- Use the eco or normal cycle rather than heavy or sanitize.
- Scrape plates instead of pre-rinsing them in hot water.
How a dishwasher compares with other appliances
Typical power and use for each appliance, at the U.S. average price of 18.31¢ per kWh. Follow a link for that appliance's own calculator, or compare two side by side.
| Appliance | Power | Typical use | Energy per month | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | 600 W | 120 minutes per use, 5 times a week | 26.0 kWh | $4.76 |
| Washing machine | 500 W | 45 minutes per use, 5 times a week | 8.1 kWh | $1.49 |
| Clothes dryer | 3,000 W | 60 minutes per use, 5 times a week | 65.0 kWh | $11.90 |
| Electric oven | 2,300 W | 60 minutes per use, 4 times a week | 39.9 kWh | $7.30 |
| Refrigerator | 150 W | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | 36.0 kWh | $6.59 |
The math behind the numbers
600 watts ÷ 1,000 = 0.6 kW. 0.6 kW × 120 minutes ÷ 60 = 1.2 kWh per use. 1.2 kWh × $0.1831 = $0.22 per use. At 5 uses a week, that is 26.0 kWh and $4.76 a month.
Your own figure will differ if your appliance has a different wattage, if you use it more or less, or if your price per kWh is not the national average. Change any of those in the calculator at the top of this page. Our step-by-step guide explains where to find each number.
Cost to run a dishwasher in every state
Based on 600 watts for 120 minutes per use, 5 times a week, at each state's average residential electricity price for July 2026.
| State | Price per kWh | Per use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.40¢ | $0.20 | $4.26 | $51.17 |
| Alaska | 28.83¢ | $0.35 | $7.50 | $89.95 |
| Arizona | 15.38¢ | $0.18 | $4.00 | $47.99 |
| Arkansas | 14.33¢ | $0.17 | $3.73 | $44.71 |
| California | 33.61¢ | $0.40 | $8.74 | $104.86 |
| Colorado | 17.00¢ | $0.20 | $4.42 | $53.04 |
| Connecticut | 24.16¢ | $0.29 | $6.28 | $75.38 |
| Delaware | 18.48¢ | $0.22 | $4.80 | $57.66 |
| District of Columbia | 25.21¢ | $0.30 | $6.55 | $78.66 |
| Florida | 15.03¢ | $0.18 | $3.91 | $46.89 |
| Georgia | 16.27¢ | $0.20 | $4.23 | $50.76 |
| Hawaii | 48.00¢ | $0.58 | $12.48 | $149.76 |
| Idaho | 13.73¢ | $0.16 | $3.57 | $42.84 |
| Illinois | 19.22¢ | $0.23 | $5.00 | $59.97 |
| Indiana | 16.73¢ | $0.20 | $4.35 | $52.20 |
| Iowa | 15.99¢ | $0.19 | $4.16 | $49.89 |
| Kansas | 15.27¢ | $0.18 | $3.97 | $47.64 |
| Kentucky | 13.81¢ | $0.17 | $3.59 | $43.09 |
| Louisiana | 12.72¢ | $0.15 | $3.31 | $39.69 |
| Maine | 32.41¢ | $0.39 | $8.43 | $101.12 |
| Maryland | 21.41¢ | $0.26 | $5.57 | $66.80 |
| Massachusetts | 30.49¢ | $0.37 | $7.93 | $95.13 |
| Michigan | 23.05¢ | $0.28 | $5.99 | $71.92 |
| Minnesota | 17.45¢ | $0.21 | $4.54 | $54.44 |
| Mississippi | 14.54¢ | $0.17 | $3.78 | $45.36 |
| Missouri | 16.09¢ | $0.19 | $4.18 | $50.20 |
| Montana | 14.99¢ | $0.18 | $3.90 | $46.77 |
| Nebraska | 13.78¢ | $0.17 | $3.58 | $42.99 |
| Nevada | 12.77¢ | $0.15 | $3.32 | $39.84 |
| New Hampshire | 26.60¢ | $0.32 | $6.92 | $82.99 |
| New Jersey | 25.19¢ | $0.30 | $6.55 | $78.59 |
| New Mexico | 16.09¢ | $0.19 | $4.18 | $50.20 |
| New York | 29.90¢ | $0.36 | $7.77 | $93.29 |
| North Carolina | 15.16¢ | $0.18 | $3.94 | $47.30 |
| North Dakota | 13.41¢ | $0.16 | $3.49 | $41.84 |
| Ohio | 19.45¢ | $0.23 | $5.06 | $60.68 |
| Oklahoma | 14.35¢ | $0.17 | $3.73 | $44.77 |
| Oregon | 15.97¢ | $0.19 | $4.15 | $49.83 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.72¢ | $0.26 | $5.65 | $67.77 |
| Rhode Island | 28.29¢ | $0.34 | $7.36 | $88.26 |
| South Carolina | 15.47¢ | $0.19 | $4.02 | $48.27 |
| South Dakota | 15.37¢ | $0.18 | $4.00 | $47.95 |
| Tennessee | 13.71¢ | $0.16 | $3.56 | $42.78 |
| Texas | 15.88¢ | $0.19 | $4.13 | $49.55 |
| Utah | 13.12¢ | $0.16 | $3.41 | $40.93 |
| Vermont | 23.75¢ | $0.29 | $6.18 | $74.10 |
| Virginia | 17.55¢ | $0.21 | $4.56 | $54.76 |
| Washington | 14.71¢ | $0.18 | $3.82 | $45.90 |
| West Virginia | 15.78¢ | $0.19 | $4.10 | $49.23 |
| Wisconsin | 19.06¢ | $0.23 | $4.96 | $59.47 |
| Wyoming | 14.36¢ | $0.17 | $3.73 | $44.80 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a dishwasher once?
About $0.22 per cycle at the U.S. average electricity price, based on 1.2 kWh for a normal cycle.
Does a dishwasher use a lot of electricity?
Less than most people expect. Run five times a week it adds about $4.76 a month at the U.S. average price.
Is it cheaper to run the dishwasher at night?
Only on a time-of-use rate plan, where off-peak electricity costs less. On a flat rate the time makes no difference.
Sources
- ENERGY STAR: Dishwashers
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver: Kitchen Appliances
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly (state electricity prices)
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver: Appliances and Electronics
Electricity prices are the EIA figures for July 2026. Wattages are typical values; check the label on your own appliance.