Side-by-side running cost
Gaming PC vs Xbox Series X: Which Costs Less to Run?
The short answer
Per hour of use, an Xbox Series X ($0.03/hr) costs about 76% less to run than a gaming PC ($0.09/hr) at the US average rate of 18.3¢/kWh. At typical use (4 hours a day vs 3 hours a day), that’s $11.14 vs $2.67 a month.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Gaming PC
- Typical power
- 500W
- Per hour
- $0.09
- Per month
- $11.14
- Per year
- $134
- Typical use
- 4 hours a day
Xbox Series X
- Typical power
- 160W
- Per hour
- $0.03
- Per month
- $2.67
- Per year
- $32.08
- Typical use
- 3 hours a day
Gaming PC vs Xbox Series X in the 10 largest states
Monthly cost at typical use and each state’s average residential rate.
| State | Gaming PC | Xbox Series X | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $20.45 | $4.91 | $15.54 |
| Texas | $9.66 | $2.32 | $7.34 |
| Florida | $9.14 | $2.19 | $6.95 |
| New York | $18.19 | $4.37 | $13.83 |
| Pennsylvania | $13.21 | $3.17 | $10.04 |
| Illinois | $11.69 | $2.81 | $8.89 |
| Ohio | $11.83 | $2.84 | $8.99 |
| Georgia | $9.90 | $2.38 | $7.52 |
| North Carolina | $9.22 | $2.21 | $7.01 |
| Michigan | $14.02 | $3.37 | $10.66 |
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is a gaming PC cheaper to run than an Xbox Series X?
Per hour of use, an Xbox Series X ($0.03/hr) costs about 76% less to run than a gaming PC ($0.09/hr) at the US average rate of 18.3¢/kWh. At typical use (4 hours a day vs 3 hours a day), that’s $11.14 vs $2.67 a month.
How much power does a gaming PC use compared with an Xbox Series X?
A gaming PC typically draws 500W, while an Xbox Series X draws about 160W.
More comparisons
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).