Electric Clothes Dryer running cost, by state
A electric clothes dryer drawing 3000W costs about $171 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
3000W at a 85% duty cycle, 1 hours a day, at 18.34¢/kWh.
About this appliance
One of the most expensive loads in the home. Heat pump dryers use roughly half the energy of resistance models. Cleaning the lint filter and venting matters - restricted airflow extends cycle time and directly raises cost.
- Models vary widely, from about 1800W to 5000W. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 13.11¢ | $10.18 | $122 | |
| Nebraska | 13.25¢ | $10.28 | $123 | |
| Utah | 13.37¢ | $10.38 | $124 | |
| Louisiana | 13.49¢ | $10.47 | $126 | |
| Tennessee | 14.07¢ | $10.92 | $131 | |
| Arkansas | 14.12¢ | $10.96 | $131 | |
| North Dakota | 14.12¢ | $10.96 | $131 | |
| Kentucky | 14.26¢ | $11.07 | $133 | |
| Oklahoma | 14.33¢ | $11.12 | $133 | |
| Idaho | 14.37¢ | $11.15 | $134 | |
| North Carolina | 14.74¢ | $11.44 | $137 | |
| Mississippi | 14.88¢ | $11.55 | $138 | |
| Washington | 14.91¢ | $11.57 | $139 | |
| New Mexico | 15.06¢ | $11.69 | $140 | |
| Florida | 15.10¢ | $11.72 | $141 | |
| Montana | 15.14¢ | $11.75 | $141 | |
| Arizona | 15.18¢ | $11.78 | $141 | |
| Wyoming | 15.24¢ | $11.83 | $142 | |
| South Dakota | 15.36¢ | $11.92 | $143 | |
| West Virginia | 15.45¢ | $11.99 | $144 | |
| South Carolina | 15.55¢ | $12.07 | $145 | |
| Kansas | 15.71¢ | $12.19 | $146 | |
| Iowa | 15.93¢ | $12.37 | $148 | |
| Texas | 15.94¢ | $12.37 | $148 | |
| Missouri | 16.22¢ | $12.59 | $151 | |
| Oregon | 16.32¢ | $12.67 | $152 | |
| Georgia | 16.36¢ | $12.70 | $152 | |
| Alabama | 16.40¢ | $12.73 | $153 | |
| Colorado | 17.13¢ | $13.30 | $159 | |
| Virginia | 17.22¢ | $13.37 | $160 | |
| Indiana | 17.51¢ | $13.59 | $163 | |
| Minnesota | 17.52¢ | $13.60 | $163 | |
| Ohio | 19.19¢ | $14.90 | $179 | |
| Delaware | 19.29¢ | $14.97 | $180 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.56¢ | $15.18 | $182 | |
| Illinois | 19.89¢ | $15.44 | $185 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.73¢ | $16.87 | $202 | |
| Maryland | 21.84¢ | $16.95 | $203 | |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $17.85 | $214 | |
| Connecticut | 24.32¢ | $18.88 | $226 | |
| District of Columbia | 24.39¢ | $18.93 | $227 | |
| Vermont | 24.44¢ | $18.97 | $227 | |
| New Jersey | 24.95¢ | $19.37 | $232 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.01¢ | $20.97 | $251 | |
| Alaska | 28.21¢ | $21.90 | $263 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.23¢ | $22.69 | $272 | |
| New York | 29.49¢ | $22.89 | $274 | |
| Maine | 29.59¢ | $22.97 | $275 | |
| Massachusetts | 29.61¢ | $22.98 | $276 | |
| California | 34.74¢ | $26.97 | $323 | |
| Hawaii | 52.72¢ | $40.92 | $491 |
Common questions
How many watts does a electric clothes dryer use?
A typical electric clothes dryer draws about 3000 watts while running, with most models falling between 1800W and 5000W. Check the nameplate label or manual for your specific unit - the range is wide enough that averages can mislead.
How much electricity does a electric clothes dryer use per day?
At around 1 hour of use a day and a 85% duty cycle, that works out to roughly 2.55 kWh per day, or about 77 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 electric clothes dryer, 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 electric clothes dryer 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.