U.S. residential electricity EIA data: July 2026 US average 18.3¢/kWh Updated
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Kitchen · Montana

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dishwasher in Montana?

The short answer

A typical dishwasher uses about 1.50 kWh per load, which costs $0.22 per load in Montana — about $4.89 a month at 5 loads a week.

That’s based on Montana’s average residential rate of 15.0¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026), 18% below the US average.

Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated

Dishwasher cost by number of loads in Montana

Cost at 15.0¢/kWh, the Montana average (EIA, Jul 2026)
UsagekWh/monthPer dayPer monthPer year
1 load/week 6.5 $0.03 $0.98 $11.72
3 loads/week 19.6 $0.10 $2.93 $35.17
5 loads/week 32.6 $0.16 $4.89 $58.62
7 loads/week 45.6 $0.22 $6.84 $82.07
10 loads/week 65.2 $0.32 $9.77 $117
14 loads/week 91.3 $0.45 $13.68 $164

Montana vs other states

At typical use, a dishwasher costs $58.62 a year in Montana — $129 less than in Hawaii and $8.88 more than in Louisiana.

Montana has the 14th-cheapest residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. Montana price per kWh · all states ranked

Electricity price trend in Montana

15.0¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▲ +5.0% from a year earlier.

How to lower the cost of running a dishwasher

Most of a dishwasher's electricity goes into heating water and running the heated-dry cycle; the pump and motor use comparatively little. A typical load uses around 1–2 kWh. ENERGY STAR models and eco cycles use less water and lower temperatures, and skipping heated dry can save around 15% per load. Running a full dishwasher generally uses less energy and water than washing the same dishes by hand.

  • Only run it when it's full, and use the eco or energy-saver cycle.
  • Turn off heated dry and let dishes air-dry with the door cracked open.
  • Scrape instead of pre-rinsing under hot water.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost per load to run a dishwasher in Montana?

A typical load uses about 1.50 kWh, which costs $0.22 at Montana’s average rate of 15.0¢/kWh. An efficient model can cost as little as $0.13 per load.

How many kWh does a dishwasher use per month?

At 5 loads a week, a typical dishwasher uses about 32.6 kWh a month. In Montana that costs $4.89.

Is it expensive to run a dishwasher in Montana?

Montana has the 14th-cheapest residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 15.0¢/kWh — cheaper than most. Running a dishwasher here costs about $58.62 a year at typical use, compared with $71.61 at the national average rate.

What is the electricity rate in Montana right now?

The average residential electricity rate in Montana was 15.0¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — up 5.0% from a year earlier.

Is it cheaper to use a dishwasher or wash by hand?

A full, efficient dishwasher typically uses less hot water — and therefore less energy — than washing the same load by hand under a running tap.

Dishwasher costs in nearby states

Cheapest and priciest states

Sources & method