Microwave running cost, by state
A microwave drawing 1100W costs about $37.02 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
1100W , 0.5 hours a day, at 18.44¢/kWh.
About this appliance
Microwaves draw more than most people assume but run for minutes, not hours, so total cost is small. For reheating, a microwave uses far less energy than an oven because it heats the food rather than the cavity.
- Models vary widely, from about 700W to 1500W. 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¢ | $2.07 | $24.79 | |
| Utah | 12.96¢ | $2.17 | $26.02 | |
| Oklahoma | 13.38¢ | $2.24 | $26.86 | |
| Nebraska | 13.59¢ | $2.28 | $27.28 | |
| Nevada | 13.60¢ | $2.28 | $27.30 | |
| North Dakota | 13.61¢ | $2.28 | $27.32 | |
| Missouri | 13.68¢ | $2.29 | $27.46 | |
| New Mexico | 14.12¢ | $2.36 | $28.35 | |
| Iowa | 14.14¢ | $2.37 | $28.39 | |
| Louisiana | 14.15¢ | $2.37 | $28.41 | |
| Arkansas | 14.36¢ | $2.40 | $28.83 | |
| Tennessee | 14.47¢ | $2.42 | $29.05 | |
| Montana | 14.67¢ | $2.46 | $29.45 | |
| Wyoming | 14.80¢ | $2.48 | $29.71 | |
| Washington | 14.95¢ | $2.50 | $30.01 | |
| Kentucky | 14.98¢ | $2.51 | $30.07 | |
| North Carolina | 15.09¢ | $2.53 | $30.29 | |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ | $2.53 | $30.37 | |
| Florida | 15.17¢ | $2.54 | $30.45 | |
| Arizona | 15.23¢ | $2.55 | $30.57 | |
| South Dakota | 15.73¢ | $2.63 | $31.58 | |
| Georgia | 15.84¢ | $2.65 | $31.80 | |
| Colorado | 16.16¢ | $2.71 | $32.44 | |
| Mississippi | 16.16¢ | $2.71 | $32.44 | |
| South Carolina | 16.18¢ | $2.71 | $32.48 | |
| Oregon | 16.27¢ | $2.72 | $32.66 | |
| Texas | 16.44¢ | $2.75 | $33.00 | |
| Alabama | 16.77¢ | $2.81 | $33.67 | |
| West Virginia | 16.80¢ | $2.81 | $33.73 | |
| Minnesota | 16.95¢ | $2.84 | $34.03 | |
| Virginia | 17.61¢ | $2.95 | $35.35 | |
| Indiana | 18.15¢ | $3.04 | $36.44 | |
| Delaware | 19.38¢ | $3.24 | $38.91 | |
| Ohio | 19.52¢ | $3.27 | $39.19 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.74¢ | $3.30 | $39.63 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.55¢ | $3.61 | $43.26 | |
| Maryland | 21.77¢ | $3.64 | $43.70 | |
| Michigan | 22.01¢ | $3.68 | $44.19 | |
| New Jersey | 23.27¢ | $3.90 | $46.71 | |
| Illinois | 23.85¢ | $3.99 | $47.88 | |
| Vermont | 24.89¢ | $4.17 | $49.97 | |
| District of Columbia | 25.40¢ | $4.25 | $50.99 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.33¢ | $4.58 | $54.86 | |
| Connecticut | 27.37¢ | $4.58 | $54.95 | |
| Alaska | 28.23¢ | $4.73 | $56.67 | |
| Maine | 28.63¢ | $4.79 | $57.47 | |
| Massachusetts | 28.82¢ | $4.83 | $57.86 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.46¢ | $4.93 | $59.14 | |
| New York | 29.93¢ | $5.01 | $60.08 | |
| California | 33.25¢ | $5.57 | $66.75 | |
| Hawaii | 52.00¢ | $8.71 | $104 |
Common questions
How many watts does a microwave use?
A typical microwave draws about 1100 watts while running, with most models falling between 700W and 1500W. Check the nameplate label or manual for your specific unit - the range is wide enough that averages can mislead.
How much electricity does a microwave use per day?
At around 0.5 hours of use a day and a 100% duty cycle, that works out to roughly 0.55 kWh per day, or about 17 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 microwave, 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 microwave 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.