Laundry · US average
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Washing Machine?
The short answer
A typical washing machine uses about 0.50 kWh per load, which costs $0.09 per load at the US average electricity rate — about $1.99 a month at 5 loads a week.
Based on the US average residential rate of 18.3¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026). Costs range from $1.38/month in Louisiana to $5.21/month in Hawaii — pick your state below for an exact figure.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Washing Machine running cost at the US average rate
| Usage | kWh/month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 load/week | 2.2 | $0.01 | $0.40 | $4.77 |
| 3 loads/week | 6.5 | $0.04 | $1.19 | $14.32 |
| 5 loads/week | 10.9 | $0.07 | $1.99 | $23.87 |
| 7 loads/week | 15.2 | $0.09 | $2.78 | $33.42 |
| 10 loads/week | 21.7 | $0.13 | $3.98 | $47.74 |
| 14 loads/week | 30.4 | $0.18 | $5.57 | $66.83 |
Cost to run a washing machine in every state
At 5 loads a week and each state’s average residential rate. Select a state for its full breakdown.
| Alabama | 16.4¢ | $0.08 | $1.78 | $21.38 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 28.8¢ | $0.14 | $3.13 | $37.58 |
| Arizona | 15.4¢ | $0.08 | $1.67 | $20.05 |
| Arkansas | 14.3¢ | $0.07 | $1.56 | $18.68 |
| California | 33.6¢ | $0.17 | $3.65 | $43.81 |
| Colorado | 17.0¢ | $0.09 | $1.85 | $22.16 |
| Connecticut | 24.2¢ | $0.12 | $2.62 | $31.49 |
| Delaware | 18.5¢ | $0.09 | $2.01 | $24.09 |
| District of Columbia | 25.2¢ | $0.13 | $2.74 | $32.86 |
| Florida | 15.0¢ | $0.08 | $1.63 | $19.59 |
| Georgia | 16.3¢ | $0.08 | $1.77 | $21.21 |
| Hawaii | 48.0¢ | $0.24 | $5.21 | $62.57 |
| Idaho | 13.7¢ | $0.07 | $1.49 | $17.90 |
| Illinois | 19.2¢ | $0.10 | $2.09 | $25.05 |
| Indiana | 16.7¢ | $0.08 | $1.82 | $21.81 |
| Iowa | 16.0¢ | $0.08 | $1.74 | $20.84 |
| Kansas | 15.3¢ | $0.08 | $1.66 | $19.91 |
| Kentucky | 13.8¢ | $0.07 | $1.50 | $18.00 |
| Louisiana | 12.7¢ | $0.06 | $1.38 | $16.58 |
| Maine | 32.4¢ | $0.16 | $3.52 | $42.25 |
| Maryland | 21.4¢ | $0.11 | $2.33 | $27.91 |
| Massachusetts | 30.5¢ | $0.15 | $3.31 | $39.75 |
| Michigan | 23.1¢ | $0.12 | $2.50 | $30.05 |
| Minnesota | 17.5¢ | $0.09 | $1.90 | $22.75 |
| Mississippi | 14.5¢ | $0.07 | $1.58 | $18.95 |
| Missouri | 16.1¢ | $0.08 | $1.75 | $20.97 |
| Montana | 15.0¢ | $0.07 | $1.63 | $19.54 |
| Nebraska | 13.8¢ | $0.07 | $1.50 | $17.96 |
| Nevada | 12.8¢ | $0.06 | $1.39 | $16.65 |
| New Hampshire | 26.6¢ | $0.13 | $2.89 | $34.68 |
| New Jersey | 25.2¢ | $0.13 | $2.74 | $32.84 |
| New Mexico | 16.1¢ | $0.08 | $1.75 | $20.97 |
| New York | 29.9¢ | $0.15 | $3.25 | $38.98 |
| North Carolina | 15.2¢ | $0.08 | $1.65 | $19.76 |
| North Dakota | 13.4¢ | $0.07 | $1.46 | $17.48 |
| Ohio | 19.5¢ | $0.10 | $2.11 | $25.35 |
| Oklahoma | 14.4¢ | $0.07 | $1.56 | $18.71 |
| Oregon | 16.0¢ | $0.08 | $1.74 | $20.82 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.7¢ | $0.11 | $2.36 | $28.31 |
| Rhode Island | 28.3¢ | $0.14 | $3.07 | $36.88 |
| South Carolina | 15.5¢ | $0.08 | $1.68 | $20.17 |
| South Dakota | 15.4¢ | $0.08 | $1.67 | $20.04 |
| Tennessee | 13.7¢ | $0.07 | $1.49 | $17.87 |
| Texas | 15.9¢ | $0.08 | $1.73 | $20.70 |
| Utah | 13.1¢ | $0.07 | $1.43 | $17.10 |
| Vermont | 23.8¢ | $0.12 | $2.58 | $30.96 |
| Virginia | 17.6¢ | $0.09 | $1.91 | $22.88 |
| Washington | 14.7¢ | $0.07 | $1.60 | $19.18 |
| West Virginia | 15.8¢ | $0.08 | $1.71 | $20.57 |
| Wisconsin | 19.1¢ | $0.10 | $2.07 | $24.85 |
| Wyoming | 14.4¢ | $0.07 | $1.56 | $18.72 |
How much electricity does a washing machine use?
A washing machine itself uses only about 0.5 kWh per load — heating the water is where most of the cost hides.
The motor and pump in a washing machine use relatively little electricity: around 0.3–0.5 kWh per load for a cold wash. A hot wash with water from an electric water heater can push the total to 2 kWh or more per load. Front-loaders and high-efficiency top-loaders use less water and spin clothes drier, which also cuts dryer time.
Ways to cut the cost
- Wash in cold water — modern detergents clean well, and it can cut energy per load by up to 90%.
- Run full loads and use the high-spin setting to shorten drying time.
- Use the eco cycle for lightly soiled clothes.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a washing machine per month?
At 5 loads a week, a typical washing machine costs about $1.99 a month at the US average rate of 18.3¢/kWh. Depending on your state, the same usage costs between $1.38 and $5.21.
How many watts does a washing machine use?
Washing machines typically draw 400W–1,000W, with 500W a common figure. A washing machine itself uses only about 0.5 kWh per load — heating the water is where most of the cost hides.
Which state is cheapest to run a washing machine in?
Louisiana is currently the cheapest at about $16.58 a year for typical use, and Hawaii the most expensive at about $62.57 a year.
Related appliances
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).