Side-by-side running cost
Washing Machine vs Clothes Dryer: Which Costs Less to Run?
The short answer
At typical use, a washing machine costs about $1.99 a month versus $11.94 for a clothes dryer at the US average rate of 18.3¢/kWh.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Washing Machine
- Typical power
- 500W
- Per load
- $0.09
- Per month
- $1.99
- Per year
- $23.87
- Typical use
- 5 loads a week
Clothes Dryer
- Typical power
- 5,000W
- Per load
- $0.55
- Per month
- $11.94
- Per year
- $143
- Typical use
- 5 loads a week
Washing Machine vs Clothes Dryer in the 10 largest states
Monthly cost at typical use and each state’s average residential rate.
| State | Washing Machine | Clothes Dryer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $3.65 | $21.91 | $18.26 |
| Texas | $1.73 | $10.35 | $8.63 |
| Florida | $1.63 | $9.80 | $8.16 |
| New York | $3.25 | $19.49 | $16.24 |
| Pennsylvania | $2.36 | $14.16 | $11.80 |
| Illinois | $2.09 | $12.53 | $10.44 |
| Ohio | $2.11 | $12.68 | $10.57 |
| Georgia | $1.77 | $10.61 | $8.84 |
| North Carolina | $1.65 | $9.88 | $8.24 |
| Michigan | $2.50 | $15.03 | $12.52 |
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is a washing machine cheaper to run than a clothes dryer?
At typical use, a washing machine costs about $1.99 a month versus $11.94 for a clothes dryer at the US average rate of 18.3¢/kWh.
How much power does a washing machine use compared with a clothes dryer?
A washing machine typically draws 500W, while a clothes dryer draws about 5,000W.
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).