Electric Lawn Mower running cost, by state
A electric lawn mower drawing 1200W costs about $60.58 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 , 0.75 hours a day, at 18.44¢/kWh.
About this appliance
Charging a battery mower costs a few cents per session - a fraction of the fuel cost of a gas equivalent. A typical 5Ah battery holds well under a kilowatt-hour, so even weekly mowing across a full season barely registers on a bill.
- 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¢ | $3.38 | $40.57 | |
| Utah | 12.96¢ | $3.55 | $42.57 | |
| Oklahoma | 13.38¢ | $3.67 | $43.95 | |
| Nebraska | 13.59¢ | $3.72 | $44.64 | |
| Nevada | 13.60¢ | $3.73 | $44.68 | |
| North Dakota | 13.61¢ | $3.73 | $44.71 | |
| Missouri | 13.68¢ | $3.75 | $44.94 | |
| New Mexico | 14.12¢ | $3.87 | $46.38 | |
| Iowa | 14.14¢ | $3.87 | $46.45 | |
| Louisiana | 14.15¢ | $3.88 | $46.48 | |
| Arkansas | 14.36¢ | $3.93 | $47.17 | |
| Tennessee | 14.47¢ | $3.96 | $47.53 | |
| Montana | 14.67¢ | $4.02 | $48.19 | |
| Wyoming | 14.80¢ | $4.05 | $48.62 | |
| Washington | 14.95¢ | $4.10 | $49.11 | |
| Kentucky | 14.98¢ | $4.10 | $49.21 | |
| North Carolina | 15.09¢ | $4.13 | $49.57 | |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ | $4.15 | $49.70 | |
| Florida | 15.17¢ | $4.16 | $49.83 | |
| Arizona | 15.23¢ | $4.17 | $50.03 | |
| South Dakota | 15.73¢ | $4.31 | $51.67 | |
| Georgia | 15.84¢ | $4.34 | $52.03 | |
| Colorado | 16.16¢ | $4.43 | $53.09 | |
| Mississippi | 16.16¢ | $4.43 | $53.09 | |
| South Carolina | 16.18¢ | $4.43 | $53.15 | |
| Oregon | 16.27¢ | $4.46 | $53.45 | |
| Texas | 16.44¢ | $4.50 | $54.01 | |
| Alabama | 16.77¢ | $4.59 | $55.09 | |
| West Virginia | 16.80¢ | $4.60 | $55.19 | |
| Minnesota | 16.95¢ | $4.64 | $55.68 | |
| Virginia | 17.61¢ | $4.82 | $57.85 | |
| Indiana | 18.15¢ | $4.97 | $59.62 | |
| Delaware | 19.38¢ | $5.31 | $63.66 | |
| Ohio | 19.52¢ | $5.35 | $64.12 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.74¢ | $5.41 | $64.85 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.55¢ | $5.90 | $70.79 | |
| Maryland | 21.77¢ | $5.96 | $71.51 | |
| Michigan | 22.01¢ | $6.03 | $72.30 | |
| New Jersey | 23.27¢ | $6.38 | $76.44 | |
| Illinois | 23.85¢ | $6.53 | $78.35 | |
| Vermont | 24.89¢ | $6.82 | $81.76 | |
| District of Columbia | 25.40¢ | $6.96 | $83.44 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.33¢ | $7.49 | $89.78 | |
| Connecticut | 27.37¢ | $7.50 | $89.91 | |
| Alaska | 28.23¢ | $7.73 | $92.74 | |
| Maine | 28.63¢ | $7.84 | $94.05 | |
| Massachusetts | 28.82¢ | $7.90 | $94.67 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.46¢ | $8.07 | $96.78 | |
| New York | 29.93¢ | $8.20 | $98.32 | |
| California | 33.25¢ | $9.11 | $109 | |
| Hawaii | 52.00¢ | $14.25 | $171 |
Common questions
How many watts does a electric lawn mower use?
A typical electric lawn mower draws about 1200 watts while running, with most models falling between 900W 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 electric lawn mower use per day?
At around 0.75 hours of use a day and a 100% duty cycle, that works out to roughly 0.9 kWh per day, or about 27 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 lawn mower, 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 lawn mower 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.