Dishwasher running cost, by state
A dishwasher drawing 1200W costs about $40.38 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
1200W at a 50% duty cycle, 1 hours a day, at 18.44¢/kWh.
About this appliance
Most of a dishwasher cycle cost is heating water, not running the pump. Skipping heated dry and using an eco cycle cuts consumption substantially with no change in cleanliness.
- Nameplate wattage is not running cost. This dishwasher draws about 1200W when active, but cycles roughly 50% of the time it is switched on, so effective consumption is near 600W.
- 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¢ | $2.26 | $27.05 | |
| Utah | 12.96¢ | $2.37 | $28.38 | |
| Oklahoma | 13.38¢ | $2.44 | $29.30 | |
| Nebraska | 13.59¢ | $2.48 | $29.76 | |
| Nevada | 13.60¢ | $2.48 | $29.78 | |
| North Dakota | 13.61¢ | $2.49 | $29.81 | |
| Missouri | 13.68¢ | $2.50 | $29.96 | |
| New Mexico | 14.12¢ | $2.58 | $30.92 | |
| Iowa | 14.14¢ | $2.58 | $30.97 | |
| Louisiana | 14.15¢ | $2.58 | $30.99 | |
| Arkansas | 14.36¢ | $2.62 | $31.45 | |
| Tennessee | 14.47¢ | $2.64 | $31.69 | |
| Montana | 14.67¢ | $2.68 | $32.13 | |
| Wyoming | 14.80¢ | $2.70 | $32.41 | |
| Washington | 14.95¢ | $2.73 | $32.74 | |
| Kentucky | 14.98¢ | $2.74 | $32.81 | |
| North Carolina | 15.09¢ | $2.76 | $33.05 | |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ | $2.76 | $33.13 | |
| Florida | 15.17¢ | $2.77 | $33.22 | |
| Arizona | 15.23¢ | $2.78 | $33.35 | |
| South Dakota | 15.73¢ | $2.87 | $34.45 | |
| Georgia | 15.84¢ | $2.89 | $34.69 | |
| Colorado | 16.16¢ | $2.95 | $35.39 | |
| Mississippi | 16.16¢ | $2.95 | $35.39 | |
| South Carolina | 16.18¢ | $2.96 | $35.43 | |
| Oregon | 16.27¢ | $2.97 | $35.63 | |
| Texas | 16.44¢ | $3.00 | $36.00 | |
| Alabama | 16.77¢ | $3.06 | $36.73 | |
| West Virginia | 16.80¢ | $3.07 | $36.79 | |
| Minnesota | 16.95¢ | $3.10 | $37.12 | |
| Virginia | 17.61¢ | $3.22 | $38.57 | |
| Indiana | 18.15¢ | $3.31 | $39.75 | |
| Delaware | 19.38¢ | $3.54 | $42.44 | |
| Ohio | 19.52¢ | $3.57 | $42.75 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.74¢ | $3.61 | $43.23 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.55¢ | $3.94 | $47.19 | |
| Maryland | 21.77¢ | $3.98 | $47.68 | |
| Michigan | 22.01¢ | $4.02 | $48.20 | |
| New Jersey | 23.27¢ | $4.25 | $50.96 | |
| Illinois | 23.85¢ | $4.36 | $52.23 | |
| Vermont | 24.89¢ | $4.55 | $54.51 | |
| District of Columbia | 25.40¢ | $4.64 | $55.63 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.33¢ | $4.99 | $59.85 | |
| Connecticut | 27.37¢ | $5.00 | $59.94 | |
| Alaska | 28.23¢ | $5.16 | $61.82 | |
| Maine | 28.63¢ | $5.23 | $62.70 | |
| Massachusetts | 28.82¢ | $5.26 | $63.12 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.46¢ | $5.38 | $64.52 | |
| New York | 29.93¢ | $5.47 | $65.55 | |
| California | 33.25¢ | $6.07 | $72.82 | |
| Hawaii | 52.00¢ | $9.50 | $114 |
Common questions
How many watts does a dishwasher use?
A typical dishwasher draws about 1200 watts while running, with most models falling between 1200W and 1800W. Check the nameplate label or manual for your specific unit - the range is wide enough that averages can mislead.
How much electricity does a dishwasher use per day?
At around 1 hour of use a day and a 50% duty cycle, that works out to roughly 0.6 kWh per day, or about 18 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 dishwasher, 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 dishwasher 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.