Side-by-side running cost
Desktop Computer vs Laptop: Which Costs Less to Run?
The short answer
Per hour of use, a laptop ($0.01/hr) costs about 60% less to run than a desktop computer ($0.03/hr) at the US average rate of 18.3¢/kWh. At typical use (8 hours a day vs 8 hours a day), that’s $6.68 vs $2.67 a month.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Desktop Computer
- Typical power
- 150W
- Per hour
- $0.03
- Per month
- $6.68
- Per year
- $80.20
- Typical use
- 8 hours a day
Laptop
- Typical power
- 60W
- Per hour
- $0.01
- Per month
- $2.67
- Per year
- $32.08
- Typical use
- 8 hours a day
Desktop Computer vs Laptop in the 10 largest states
Monthly cost at typical use and each state’s average residential rate.
| State | Desktop Computer | Laptop | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $12.27 | $4.91 | $7.36 |
| Texas | $5.80 | $2.32 | $3.48 |
| Florida | $5.49 | $2.19 | $3.29 |
| New York | $10.91 | $4.37 | $6.55 |
| Pennsylvania | $7.93 | $3.17 | $4.76 |
| Illinois | $7.02 | $2.81 | $4.21 |
| Ohio | $7.10 | $2.84 | $4.26 |
| Georgia | $5.94 | $2.38 | $3.56 |
| North Carolina | $5.53 | $2.21 | $3.32 |
| Michigan | $8.41 | $3.37 | $5.05 |
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is a desktop computer cheaper to run than a laptop?
Per hour of use, a laptop ($0.01/hr) costs about 60% less to run than a desktop computer ($0.03/hr) at the US average rate of 18.3¢/kWh. At typical use (8 hours a day vs 8 hours a day), that’s $6.68 vs $2.67 a month.
How much power does a desktop computer use compared with a laptop?
A desktop computer typically draws 150W, while a laptop draws about 60W.
Sources & method
- Electricity rates: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly — average residential retail price, July 2026 (latest available). Retrieved .
- CO₂: EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024 emissions rate of in-state power generation.
- Formulas, duty cycles and limitations: methodology. Data download: open data (CC BY 4.0).