Laptop running cost, by state
A laptop drawing 60W costs about $22.61 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
60W at a 70% duty cycle, 8 hours a day, at 18.44¢/kWh.
About this appliance
Laptops are dramatically more efficient than desktops, typically drawing 30 to 100 watts. Leaving one plugged in at full charge draws only trickle current.
- Nameplate wattage is not running cost. This laptop draws about 60W when active, but cycles roughly 70% of the time it is switched on, so effective consumption is near 42W.
- Models vary widely, from about 30W to 100W. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 12.35¢ | $1.26 | $15.15 | |
| Utah | 12.96¢ | $1.33 | $15.89 | |
| Oklahoma | 13.38¢ | $1.37 | $16.41 | |
| Nebraska | 13.59¢ | $1.39 | $16.67 | |
| Nevada | 13.60¢ | $1.39 | $16.68 | |
| North Dakota | 13.61¢ | $1.39 | $16.69 | |
| Missouri | 13.68¢ | $1.40 | $16.78 | |
| New Mexico | 14.12¢ | $1.44 | $17.32 | |
| Iowa | 14.14¢ | $1.45 | $17.34 | |
| Louisiana | 14.15¢ | $1.45 | $17.35 | |
| Arkansas | 14.36¢ | $1.47 | $17.61 | |
| Tennessee | 14.47¢ | $1.48 | $17.75 | |
| Montana | 14.67¢ | $1.50 | $17.99 | |
| Wyoming | 14.80¢ | $1.51 | $18.15 | |
| Washington | 14.95¢ | $1.53 | $18.33 | |
| Kentucky | 14.98¢ | $1.53 | $18.37 | |
| North Carolina | 15.09¢ | $1.54 | $18.51 | |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ | $1.55 | $18.56 | |
| Florida | 15.17¢ | $1.55 | $18.60 | |
| Arizona | 15.23¢ | $1.56 | $18.68 | |
| South Dakota | 15.73¢ | $1.61 | $19.29 | |
| Georgia | 15.84¢ | $1.62 | $19.43 | |
| Colorado | 16.16¢ | $1.65 | $19.82 | |
| Mississippi | 16.16¢ | $1.65 | $19.82 | |
| South Carolina | 16.18¢ | $1.65 | $19.84 | |
| Oregon | 16.27¢ | $1.66 | $19.95 | |
| Texas | 16.44¢ | $1.68 | $20.16 | |
| Alabama | 16.77¢ | $1.72 | $20.57 | |
| West Virginia | 16.80¢ | $1.72 | $20.60 | |
| Minnesota | 16.95¢ | $1.73 | $20.79 | |
| Virginia | 17.61¢ | $1.80 | $21.60 | |
| Indiana | 18.15¢ | $1.86 | $22.26 | |
| Delaware | 19.38¢ | $1.98 | $23.77 | |
| Ohio | 19.52¢ | $2.00 | $23.94 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.74¢ | $2.02 | $24.21 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.55¢ | $2.20 | $26.43 | |
| Maryland | 21.77¢ | $2.23 | $26.70 | |
| Michigan | 22.01¢ | $2.25 | $26.99 | |
| New Jersey | 23.27¢ | $2.38 | $28.54 | |
| Illinois | 23.85¢ | $2.44 | $29.25 | |
| Vermont | 24.89¢ | $2.55 | $30.53 | |
| District of Columbia | 25.40¢ | $2.60 | $31.15 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.33¢ | $2.80 | $33.52 | |
| Connecticut | 27.37¢ | $2.80 | $33.57 | |
| Alaska | 28.23¢ | $2.89 | $34.62 | |
| Maine | 28.63¢ | $2.93 | $35.11 | |
| Massachusetts | 28.82¢ | $2.95 | $35.34 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.46¢ | $3.01 | $36.13 | |
| New York | 29.93¢ | $3.06 | $36.71 | |
| California | 33.25¢ | $3.40 | $40.78 | |
| Hawaii | 52.00¢ | $5.32 | $63.77 |
Common questions
How many watts does a laptop use?
A typical laptop draws about 60 watts while running, with most models falling between 30W and 100W. Check the nameplate label or manual for your specific unit - the range is wide enough that averages can mislead.
How much electricity does a laptop use per day?
At around 8 hours of use a day and a 70% duty cycle, that works out to roughly 0.34 kWh per day, or about 10 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 laptop, 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 laptop 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.