Desktop Computer running cost, by state
A desktop computer drawing 200W costs about $74.97 a year at the US average electricity rate — but that average hides a fourfold spread. Pick your state for a real figure.
At the US average rate
200W at a 70% duty cycle, 8 hours a day, at 18.34¢/kWh.
About this appliance
A general-purpose desktop draws 100 to 200 watts; a gaming machine with a high-end GPU can exceed 600 under load. Idle draw is much lower, so actual cost depends heavily on what you do with it.
- Nameplate wattage is not running cost. This desktop computer draws about 200W when active, but cycles roughly 70% of the time it is switched on, so effective consumption is near 140W.
- Models vary widely, from about 100W to 600W. Check the nameplate on your own unit rather than assuming an average, because the spread is more than 2x.
- If your utility offers time-of-use pricing, shifting this load off-peak can cut its cost substantially without using any less energy.
Annual cost in every state
Sorted cheapest first. Click any state for the full calculation with that state’s rate loaded.
| State | Rate /kWh | Per month | Per year | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 13.11¢ | $4.47 | $53.59 | |
| Nebraska | 13.25¢ | $4.52 | $54.17 | |
| Utah | 13.37¢ | $4.56 | $54.66 | |
| Louisiana | 13.49¢ | $4.60 | $55.15 | |
| Tennessee | 14.07¢ | $4.80 | $57.52 | |
| Arkansas | 14.12¢ | $4.81 | $57.72 | |
| North Dakota | 14.12¢ | $4.81 | $57.72 | |
| Kentucky | 14.26¢ | $4.86 | $58.29 | |
| Oklahoma | 14.33¢ | $4.89 | $58.58 | |
| Idaho | 14.37¢ | $4.90 | $58.74 | |
| North Carolina | 14.74¢ | $5.03 | $60.26 | |
| Mississippi | 14.88¢ | $5.07 | $60.83 | |
| Washington | 14.91¢ | $5.08 | $60.95 | |
| New Mexico | 15.06¢ | $5.13 | $61.57 | |
| Florida | 15.10¢ | $5.15 | $61.73 | |
| Montana | 15.14¢ | $5.16 | $61.89 | |
| Arizona | 15.18¢ | $5.18 | $62.06 | |
| Wyoming | 15.24¢ | $5.20 | $62.30 | |
| South Dakota | 15.36¢ | $5.24 | $62.79 | |
| West Virginia | 15.45¢ | $5.27 | $63.16 | |
| South Carolina | 15.55¢ | $5.30 | $63.57 | |
| Kansas | 15.71¢ | $5.36 | $64.22 | |
| Iowa | 15.93¢ | $5.43 | $65.12 | |
| Texas | 15.94¢ | $5.43 | $65.16 | |
| Missouri | 16.22¢ | $5.53 | $66.31 | |
| Oregon | 16.32¢ | $5.56 | $66.72 | |
| Georgia | 16.36¢ | $5.58 | $66.88 | |
| Alabama | 16.40¢ | $5.59 | $67.04 | |
| Colorado | 17.13¢ | $5.84 | $70.03 | |
| Virginia | 17.22¢ | $5.87 | $70.40 | |
| Indiana | 17.51¢ | $5.97 | $71.58 | |
| Minnesota | 17.52¢ | $5.97 | $71.62 | |
| Ohio | 19.19¢ | $6.54 | $78.45 | |
| Delaware | 19.29¢ | $6.58 | $78.86 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.56¢ | $6.67 | $79.96 | |
| Illinois | 19.89¢ | $6.78 | $81.31 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.73¢ | $7.41 | $88.83 | |
| Maryland | 21.84¢ | $7.45 | $89.28 | |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $7.84 | $93.98 | |
| Connecticut | 24.32¢ | $8.29 | $99.42 | |
| District of Columbia | 24.39¢ | $8.32 | $99.71 | |
| Vermont | 24.44¢ | $8.33 | $99.91 | |
| New Jersey | 24.95¢ | $8.51 | $102 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.01¢ | $9.21 | $110 | |
| Alaska | 28.21¢ | $9.62 | $115 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.23¢ | $9.97 | $119 | |
| New York | 29.49¢ | $10.05 | $121 | |
| Maine | 29.59¢ | $10.09 | $121 | |
| Massachusetts | 29.61¢ | $10.09 | $121 | |
| California | 34.74¢ | $11.84 | $142 | |
| Hawaii | 52.72¢ | $17.97 | $216 |
Common questions
How many watts does a desktop computer use?
A typical desktop computer draws about 200 watts while running, with most models falling between 100W and 600W. Check the nameplate label or manual for your specific unit - the range is wide enough that averages can mislead.
How much electricity does a desktop computer use per day?
At around 8 hours of use a day and a 70% duty cycle, that works out to roughly 1.12 kWh per day, or about 34 kWh a month. Your actual figure depends on your usage and model.
Why does the cost differ so much between states?
Residential electricity rates across the US range from about 12.35 cents per kWh in North Dakota to 46.62 cents in Hawaii - nearly a fourfold difference. The same desktop computer, used identically, therefore costs almost four times as much to run in the most expensive state as in the cheapest.
Is it cheaper to run a desktop computer at night?
Only if you are on a time-of-use or variable tariff. On a flat rate, the time of day makes no difference to cost. If you are on time-of-use pricing, off-peak hours are typically materially cheaper, and shifting this load can reduce its cost without reducing usage.