How much does a desktop computer cost to run?
Updated August 2026 · average residential rates
Quick answer: a desktop computer (100–300 W typical use) costs about 3.4¢ per hour to run at the US average rate. With 8-hour workday, that's 27.0¢/day, $8.22/month and $98.70/year — using ~1.6 kWh a day. Your state's rate can move this from $5.45 to $20.48 monthly.
Run your own numbers
100–300 W typical use · default assumes 8-hour workday
Uses about 1.6 kWh/day at 15.6¢/kWh (Texas). National average would be $8.22/month.
Desktop Computer cost by state
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 15.6¢/kWh | 3.1¢ | $7.59 |
| Alaska | 24.9¢/kWh | 5.0¢ | $12.11 |
| Arizona | 15.2¢/kWh | 3.0¢ | $7.39 |
| Arkansas | 12.7¢/kWh | 2.5¢ | $6.18 |
| California | 31.8¢/kWh | 6.4¢ | $15.47 |
| Colorado | 15.3¢/kWh | 3.1¢ | $7.44 |
| Connecticut | 32.3¢/kWh | 6.5¢ | $15.71 |
| Delaware | 16.8¢/kWh | 3.4¢ | $8.17 |
| District of Columbia | 17.6¢/kWh | 3.5¢ | $8.56 |
| Florida | 15.1¢/kWh | 3.0¢ | $7.34 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢/kWh | 2.8¢ | $6.91 |
| Hawaii | 42.1¢/kWh | 8.4¢ | $20.48 |
| Idaho | 11.6¢/kWh | 2.3¢ | $5.64 |
| Illinois | 16.4¢/kWh | 3.3¢ | $7.98 |
| Indiana | 15.7¢/kWh | 3.1¢ | $7.64 |
| Iowa | 13.7¢/kWh | 2.7¢ | $6.66 |
| Kansas | 14.3¢/kWh | 2.9¢ | $6.96 |
| Kentucky | 13.1¢/kWh | 2.6¢ | $6.37 |
| Louisiana | 12.1¢/kWh | 2.4¢ | $5.89 |
| Maine | 25.6¢/kWh | 5.1¢ | $12.45 |
| Maryland | 18.1¢/kWh | 3.6¢ | $8.80 |
| Massachusetts | 31.2¢/kWh | 6.2¢ | $15.18 |
| Michigan | 19.4¢/kWh | 3.9¢ | $9.44 |
| Minnesota | 15.1¢/kWh | 3.0¢ | $7.34 |
| Mississippi | 13.6¢/kWh | 2.7¢ | $6.62 |
| Missouri | 12.6¢/kWh | 2.5¢ | $6.13 |
| Montana | 12.8¢/kWh | 2.6¢ | $6.23 |
| Nebraska | 12.1¢/kWh | 2.4¢ | $5.89 |
| Nevada | 15.4¢/kWh | 3.1¢ | $7.49 |
| New Hampshire | 25.2¢/kWh | 5.0¢ | $12.26 |
| New Jersey | 19.6¢/kWh | 3.9¢ | $9.53 |
| New Mexico | 14.6¢/kWh | 2.9¢ | $7.10 |
| New York | 24.6¢/kWh | 4.9¢ | $11.97 |
| North Carolina | 14.1¢/kWh | 2.8¢ | $6.86 |
| North Dakota | 11.2¢/kWh | 2.2¢ | $5.45 |
| Ohio | 16.3¢/kWh | 3.3¢ | $7.93 |
| Oklahoma | 12.2¢/kWh | 2.4¢ | $5.93 |
| Oregon | 14.8¢/kWh | 3.0¢ | $7.20 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.4¢/kWh | 3.7¢ | $8.95 |
| Rhode Island | 30.4¢/kWh | 6.1¢ | $14.79 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢/kWh | 2.9¢ | $7.15 |
| South Dakota | 12.6¢/kWh | 2.5¢ | $6.13 |
| Tennessee | 13.2¢/kWh | 2.6¢ | $6.42 |
| Texas | 15.6¢/kWh | 3.1¢ | $7.59 |
| Utah | 11.7¢/kWh | 2.3¢ | $5.69 |
| Vermont | 21.6¢/kWh | 4.3¢ | $10.51 |
| Virginia | 14.6¢/kWh | 2.9¢ | $7.10 |
| Washington | 12.3¢/kWh | 2.5¢ | $5.98 |
| West Virginia | 14.8¢/kWh | 3.0¢ | $7.20 |
| Wisconsin | 17.2¢/kWh | 3.4¢ | $8.37 |
| Wyoming | 11.8¢/kWh | 2.4¢ | $5.74 |
FAQ
How much electricity does a desktop computer use?+
A typical desktop computer draws 100–300 W typical use. At 8-hour workday, that's about 1.6 kWh per day.
How much does a desktop computer cost to run per month?+
About $8.22 per month at the US average residential rate of 16.9¢/kWh — ranging from roughly $5.45 in North Dakota to $20.48 in Hawaii.
Is it expensive to leave a desktop computer on?+
Running it costs about 3.4¢ per hour at average rates. Multiply by your actual hours — and check your state's rate above, since electricity prices vary almost 4× across the US.