WiFi Router running cost, by state
A wifi router drawing 10W costs about $16.07 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
10W , 24 hours a day, at 18.34¢/kWh.
About this appliance
Small but constant. A router running continuously all year is a genuine if modest line item, and unlike most loads there is no way to reduce it other than replacing the hardware.
- Models vary widely, from about 6W to 20W. Check the nameplate on your own unit rather than assuming an average, because the spread is more than 2x.
- Because this runs continuously, small wattage differences between models compound into large annual differences.
- 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¢ | $0.96 | $11.48 | |
| Nebraska | 13.25¢ | $0.97 | $11.61 | |
| Utah | 13.37¢ | $0.98 | $11.71 | |
| Louisiana | 13.49¢ | $0.99 | $11.82 | |
| Tennessee | 14.07¢ | $1.03 | $12.33 | |
| Arkansas | 14.12¢ | $1.03 | $12.37 | |
| North Dakota | 14.12¢ | $1.03 | $12.37 | |
| Kentucky | 14.26¢ | $1.04 | $12.49 | |
| Oklahoma | 14.33¢ | $1.05 | $12.55 | |
| Idaho | 14.37¢ | $1.05 | $12.59 | |
| North Carolina | 14.74¢ | $1.08 | $12.91 | |
| Mississippi | 14.88¢ | $1.09 | $13.03 | |
| Washington | 14.91¢ | $1.09 | $13.06 | |
| New Mexico | 15.06¢ | $1.10 | $13.19 | |
| Florida | 15.10¢ | $1.10 | $13.23 | |
| Montana | 15.14¢ | $1.11 | $13.26 | |
| Arizona | 15.18¢ | $1.11 | $13.30 | |
| Wyoming | 15.24¢ | $1.11 | $13.35 | |
| South Dakota | 15.36¢ | $1.12 | $13.46 | |
| West Virginia | 15.45¢ | $1.13 | $13.53 | |
| South Carolina | 15.55¢ | $1.14 | $13.62 | |
| Kansas | 15.71¢ | $1.15 | $13.76 | |
| Iowa | 15.93¢ | $1.16 | $13.95 | |
| Texas | 15.94¢ | $1.16 | $13.96 | |
| Missouri | 16.22¢ | $1.18 | $14.21 | |
| Oregon | 16.32¢ | $1.19 | $14.30 | |
| Georgia | 16.36¢ | $1.20 | $14.33 | |
| Alabama | 16.40¢ | $1.20 | $14.37 | |
| Colorado | 17.13¢ | $1.25 | $15.01 | |
| Virginia | 17.22¢ | $1.26 | $15.08 | |
| Indiana | 17.51¢ | $1.28 | $15.34 | |
| Minnesota | 17.52¢ | $1.28 | $15.35 | |
| Ohio | 19.19¢ | $1.40 | $16.81 | |
| Delaware | 19.29¢ | $1.41 | $16.90 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.56¢ | $1.43 | $17.13 | |
| Illinois | 19.89¢ | $1.45 | $17.42 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.73¢ | $1.59 | $19.04 | |
| Maryland | 21.84¢ | $1.60 | $19.13 | |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $1.68 | $20.14 | |
| Connecticut | 24.32¢ | $1.78 | $21.30 | |
| District of Columbia | 24.39¢ | $1.78 | $21.37 | |
| Vermont | 24.44¢ | $1.79 | $21.41 | |
| New Jersey | 24.95¢ | $1.82 | $21.86 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.01¢ | $1.97 | $23.66 | |
| Alaska | 28.21¢ | $2.06 | $24.71 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.23¢ | $2.14 | $25.61 | |
| New York | 29.49¢ | $2.15 | $25.83 | |
| Maine | 29.59¢ | $2.16 | $25.92 | |
| Massachusetts | 29.61¢ | $2.16 | $25.94 | |
| California | 34.74¢ | $2.54 | $30.43 | |
| Hawaii | 52.72¢ | $3.85 | $46.18 |
Common questions
How many watts does a wifi router use?
A typical wifi router draws about 10 watts while running, with most models falling between 6W and 20W. Check the nameplate label or manual for your specific unit - the range is wide enough that averages can mislead.
How much electricity does a wifi router use per day?
At around 24 hours of use a day and a 100% duty cycle, that works out to roughly 0.24 kWh per day, or about 7 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 wifi router, 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 wifi router 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.