Television running cost, by state
A television drawing 100W costs about $33.65 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
100W , 5 hours a day, at 18.44¢/kWh.
About this appliance
Modern LED televisions are far more efficient than plasma or older LCD sets. Screen size drives consumption more than any other factor, and brightness settings have a real effect - showroom picture modes can double consumption.
- Models vary widely, from about 50W to 200W. 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¢ | $1.88 | $22.54 | |
| Utah | 12.96¢ | $1.97 | $23.65 | |
| Oklahoma | 13.38¢ | $2.04 | $24.42 | |
| Nebraska | 13.59¢ | $2.07 | $24.80 | |
| Nevada | 13.60¢ | $2.07 | $24.82 | |
| North Dakota | 13.61¢ | $2.07 | $24.84 | |
| Missouri | 13.68¢ | $2.08 | $24.97 | |
| New Mexico | 14.12¢ | $2.15 | $25.77 | |
| Iowa | 14.14¢ | $2.15 | $25.81 | |
| Louisiana | 14.15¢ | $2.15 | $25.82 | |
| Arkansas | 14.36¢ | $2.19 | $26.21 | |
| Tennessee | 14.47¢ | $2.20 | $26.41 | |
| Montana | 14.67¢ | $2.23 | $26.77 | |
| Wyoming | 14.80¢ | $2.25 | $27.01 | |
| Washington | 14.95¢ | $2.28 | $27.28 | |
| Kentucky | 14.98¢ | $2.28 | $27.34 | |
| North Carolina | 15.09¢ | $2.30 | $27.54 | |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ | $2.30 | $27.61 | |
| Florida | 15.17¢ | $2.31 | $27.69 | |
| Arizona | 15.23¢ | $2.32 | $27.79 | |
| South Dakota | 15.73¢ | $2.39 | $28.71 | |
| Georgia | 15.84¢ | $2.41 | $28.91 | |
| Colorado | 16.16¢ | $2.46 | $29.49 | |
| Mississippi | 16.16¢ | $2.46 | $29.49 | |
| South Carolina | 16.18¢ | $2.46 | $29.53 | |
| Oregon | 16.27¢ | $2.48 | $29.69 | |
| Texas | 16.44¢ | $2.50 | $30.00 | |
| Alabama | 16.77¢ | $2.55 | $30.61 | |
| West Virginia | 16.80¢ | $2.56 | $30.66 | |
| Minnesota | 16.95¢ | $2.58 | $30.93 | |
| Virginia | 17.61¢ | $2.68 | $32.14 | |
| Indiana | 18.15¢ | $2.76 | $33.12 | |
| Delaware | 19.38¢ | $2.95 | $35.37 | |
| Ohio | 19.52¢ | $2.97 | $35.62 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.74¢ | $3.00 | $36.03 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.55¢ | $3.28 | $39.33 | |
| Maryland | 21.77¢ | $3.31 | $39.73 | |
| Michigan | 22.01¢ | $3.35 | $40.17 | |
| New Jersey | 23.27¢ | $3.54 | $42.47 | |
| Illinois | 23.85¢ | $3.63 | $43.53 | |
| Vermont | 24.89¢ | $3.79 | $45.42 | |
| District of Columbia | 25.40¢ | $3.87 | $46.36 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.33¢ | $4.16 | $49.88 | |
| Connecticut | 27.37¢ | $4.17 | $49.95 | |
| Alaska | 28.23¢ | $4.30 | $51.52 | |
| Maine | 28.63¢ | $4.36 | $52.25 | |
| Massachusetts | 28.82¢ | $4.39 | $52.60 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.46¢ | $4.48 | $53.76 | |
| New York | 29.93¢ | $4.56 | $54.62 | |
| California | 33.25¢ | $5.06 | $60.68 | |
| Hawaii | 52.00¢ | $7.91 | $94.90 |
Common questions
How many watts does a television use?
A typical television draws about 100 watts while running, with most models falling between 50W and 200W. Check the nameplate label or manual for your specific unit - the range is wide enough that averages can mislead.
How much electricity does a television use per day?
At around 5 hours of use a day and a 100% duty cycle, that works out to roughly 0.5 kWh per day, or about 15 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 television, 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 television 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.