How much does a wi-fi router cost to run?
Updated August 2026 · average residential rates
Quick answer: a wi-fi router (5–15 W) costs about 0.2¢ per hour to run at the US average rate. With always on, that's 4.1¢/day, $1.23/month and $14.80/year — using ~0.2 kWh a day. Your state's rate can move this from 81.7¢ to $3.07 monthly.
Run your own numbers
5–15 W · default assumes always on
Uses about 0.2 kWh/day at 15.6¢/kWh (Texas). National average would be $1.23/month.
Wi-Fi Router cost by state
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 15.6¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.14 |
| Alaska | 24.9¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.82 |
| Arizona | 15.2¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.11 |
| Arkansas | 12.7¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | 92.7¢ |
| California | 31.8¢/kWh | 0.3¢ | $2.32 |
| Colorado | 15.3¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.12 |
| Connecticut | 32.3¢/kWh | 0.3¢ | $2.36 |
| Delaware | 16.8¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.23 |
| District of Columbia | 17.6¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.28 |
| Florida | 15.1¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.10 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | $1.04 |
| Hawaii | 42.1¢/kWh | 0.4¢ | $3.07 |
| Idaho | 11.6¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | 84.6¢ |
| Illinois | 16.4¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.20 |
| Indiana | 15.7¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.15 |
| Iowa | 13.7¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | 100.0¢ |
| Kansas | 14.3¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | $1.04 |
| Kentucky | 13.1¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | 95.6¢ |
| Louisiana | 12.1¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | 88.3¢ |
| Maine | 25.6¢/kWh | 0.3¢ | $1.87 |
| Maryland | 18.1¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.32 |
| Massachusetts | 31.2¢/kWh | 0.3¢ | $2.28 |
| Michigan | 19.4¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.42 |
| Minnesota | 15.1¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.10 |
| Mississippi | 13.6¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | 99.2¢ |
| Missouri | 12.6¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | 91.9¢ |
| Montana | 12.8¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | 93.4¢ |
| Nebraska | 12.1¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | 88.3¢ |
| Nevada | 15.4¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.12 |
| New Hampshire | 25.2¢/kWh | 0.3¢ | $1.84 |
| New Jersey | 19.6¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.43 |
| New Mexico | 14.6¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | $1.07 |
| New York | 24.6¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.79 |
| North Carolina | 14.1¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | $1.03 |
| North Dakota | 11.2¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | 81.7¢ |
| Ohio | 16.3¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.19 |
| Oklahoma | 12.2¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | 89.0¢ |
| Oregon | 14.8¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | $1.08 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.4¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.34 |
| Rhode Island | 30.4¢/kWh | 0.3¢ | $2.22 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | $1.07 |
| South Dakota | 12.6¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | 91.9¢ |
| Tennessee | 13.2¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | 96.3¢ |
| Texas | 15.6¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.14 |
| Utah | 11.7¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | 85.4¢ |
| Vermont | 21.6¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.58 |
| Virginia | 14.6¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | $1.07 |
| Washington | 12.3¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | 89.7¢ |
| West Virginia | 14.8¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | $1.08 |
| Wisconsin | 17.2¢/kWh | 0.2¢ | $1.25 |
| Wyoming | 11.8¢/kWh | 0.1¢ | 86.1¢ |
FAQ
How much electricity does a wi-fi router use?+
A typical wi-fi router draws 5–15 W. At always on, that's about 0.2 kWh per day.
How much does a wi-fi router cost to run per month?+
About $1.23 per month at the US average residential rate of 16.9¢/kWh — ranging from roughly 81.7¢ in North Dakota to $3.07 in Hawaii.
Is it expensive to leave a wi-fi router on?+
Running it costs about 0.2¢ 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.