Slow Cooker running cost, by state
A slow cooker drawing 200W costs about $107 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
200W , 8 hours a day, at 18.34¢/kWh.
About this appliance
Despite running for hours, a slow cooker uses less energy than a 45-minute oven session because its draw is so low. On the low setting a typical model pulls around 150 watts, roughly the same as a large television, which makes all-day cooking genuinely cheap.
- 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¢ | $6.39 | $76.56 | |
| Nebraska | 13.25¢ | $6.45 | $77.38 | |
| Utah | 13.37¢ | $6.51 | $78.08 | |
| Louisiana | 13.49¢ | $6.57 | $78.78 | |
| Tennessee | 14.07¢ | $6.85 | $82.17 | |
| Arkansas | 14.12¢ | $6.88 | $82.46 | |
| North Dakota | 14.12¢ | $6.88 | $82.46 | |
| Kentucky | 14.26¢ | $6.95 | $83.28 | |
| Oklahoma | 14.33¢ | $6.98 | $83.69 | |
| Idaho | 14.37¢ | $7.00 | $83.92 | |
| North Carolina | 14.74¢ | $7.18 | $86.08 | |
| Mississippi | 14.88¢ | $7.25 | $86.90 | |
| Washington | 14.91¢ | $7.26 | $87.07 | |
| New Mexico | 15.06¢ | $7.33 | $87.95 | |
| Florida | 15.10¢ | $7.35 | $88.18 | |
| Montana | 15.14¢ | $7.37 | $88.42 | |
| Arizona | 15.18¢ | $7.39 | $88.65 | |
| Wyoming | 15.24¢ | $7.42 | $89.00 | |
| South Dakota | 15.36¢ | $7.48 | $89.70 | |
| West Virginia | 15.45¢ | $7.52 | $90.23 | |
| South Carolina | 15.55¢ | $7.57 | $90.81 | |
| Kansas | 15.71¢ | $7.65 | $91.75 | |
| Iowa | 15.93¢ | $7.76 | $93.03 | |
| Texas | 15.94¢ | $7.76 | $93.09 | |
| Missouri | 16.22¢ | $7.90 | $94.72 | |
| Oregon | 16.32¢ | $7.95 | $95.31 | |
| Georgia | 16.36¢ | $7.97 | $95.54 | |
| Alabama | 16.40¢ | $7.99 | $95.78 | |
| Colorado | 17.13¢ | $8.34 | $100 | |
| Virginia | 17.22¢ | $8.39 | $101 | |
| Indiana | 17.51¢ | $8.53 | $102 | |
| Minnesota | 17.52¢ | $8.53 | $102 | |
| Ohio | 19.19¢ | $9.35 | $112 | |
| Delaware | 19.29¢ | $9.40 | $113 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.56¢ | $9.53 | $114 | |
| Illinois | 19.89¢ | $9.69 | $116 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.73¢ | $10.58 | $127 | |
| Maryland | 21.84¢ | $10.64 | $128 | |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $11.20 | $134 | |
| Connecticut | 24.32¢ | $11.84 | $142 | |
| District of Columbia | 24.39¢ | $11.88 | $142 | |
| Vermont | 24.44¢ | $11.90 | $143 | |
| New Jersey | 24.95¢ | $12.15 | $146 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.01¢ | $13.15 | $158 | |
| Alaska | 28.21¢ | $13.74 | $165 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.23¢ | $14.24 | $171 | |
| New York | 29.49¢ | $14.36 | $172 | |
| Maine | 29.59¢ | $14.41 | $173 | |
| Massachusetts | 29.61¢ | $14.42 | $173 | |
| California | 34.74¢ | $16.92 | $203 | |
| Hawaii | 52.72¢ | $25.68 | $308 |
Common questions
How many watts does a slow cooker use?
A typical slow cooker draws about 200 watts while running, with most models falling between 150W and 300W. Check the nameplate label or manual for your specific unit - the range is wide enough that averages can mislead.
How much electricity does a slow cooker use per day?
At around 8 hours of use a day and a 100% duty cycle, that works out to roughly 1.6 kWh per day, or about 48 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 slow cooker, 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 slow cooker 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.