One kilowatt-hour (kWh) costs an average of $0.168 in the United States as of 2026, but your actual cost ranges from $0.105/kWh in Idaho to $0.421/kWh in Hawaii. Use the calculator below to convert kWh to dollars using your exact local rate, or use the national average for quick estimates.
Understanding your cost per kWh is the foundation of every energy-saving decision. It tells you exactly how much each appliance, each degree on your thermostat, and each hour of runtime is costing you in real dollars.
kWh to Dollars Calculator
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your kWh usage — find this on your electric bill or use one of the common appliance values below
- Enter your electricity rate — check your bill for the exact rate, or select your state for the 2026 average
- Select your time period — calculate costs per hour, day, month, or year
- The calculator instantly shows your total cost
Your electricity rate is listed on your utility bill, usually as "price per kWh" or "energy charge." It may include generation, transmission, and distribution charges. Add all per-kWh charges together for your true cost. Don't include fixed monthly fees in the per-kWh rate.
The kWh Cost Formula
The math is straightforward:
Cost = kWh × Price per kWh
For an appliance with a known wattage:
Cost = (Watts × Hours Used) ÷ 1,000 × Price per kWh
For example, a 1,500W space heater running for 8 hours at $0.168/kWh:
(1,500 × 8) ÷ 1,000 × $0.168 = 12 kWh × $0.168 = $2.02
Run that heater 8 hours daily for a month (30 days), and you're looking at 360 kWh × $0.168 = $60.48/month.
Converting Watts to kWh
One kWh equals 1,000 watts running for one hour. To convert any appliance from watts to kWh:
kWh = Watts × Hours ÷ 1,000
| Appliance | Watts | Hours/Day | Daily kWh | Monthly kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LED Light Bulb | 10W | 5 | 0.05 | 1.5 |
| Laptop Computer | 50W | 8 | 0.4 | 12 |
| Desktop Computer | 200W | 8 | 1.6 | 48 |
| 55" LED TV | 60W | 5 | 0.3 | 9 |
| Refrigerator | 150W* | 24* | 1.5 | 45 |
| Clothes Dryer | 3,000W | 1 | 3.0 | 36** |
| Dishwasher | 1,800W | 1 | 1.8 | 27*** |
| Electric Oven | 2,500W | 1 | 2.5 | 75 |
| Space Heater | 1,500W | 8 | 12.0 | 360 |
| Central AC (3-ton) | 3,500W | 8 | 28.0 | 840 |
| Window AC Unit | 1,200W | 8 | 9.6 | 288 |
| Electric Water Heater | 4,500W | 3* | 13.5 | 405 |
| Pool Pump | 1,500W | 8 | 12.0 | 360 |
| EV Charger (Level 2) | 7,200W | 3 | 21.6 | 648 |
*Average effective wattage (cycles on/off). **Based on 12 loads/month. ***Based on 15 cycles/month.
2026 Electricity Rates by State
Your state determines a large portion of your electricity cost. Here are the current 2026 average residential rates.
| State | Rate (¢/kWh) | Cost of 1,000 kWh | State | Rate (¢/kWh) | Cost of 1,000 kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14.7 | $147 | Montana | 12.2 | $122 |
| Alaska | 24.2 | $242 | Nebraska | 12.0 | $120 |
| Arizona | 14.3 | $143 | Nevada | 13.1 | $131 |
| Arkansas | 12.5 | $125 | New Hampshire | 27.1 | $271 |
| California | 27.6 | $276 | New Jersey | 18.8 | $188 |
| Colorado | 14.1 | $141 | New Mexico | 14.3 | $143 |
| Connecticut | 29.9 | $299 | New York | 22.5 | $225 |
| Delaware | 15.2 | $152 | North Carolina | 13.1 | $131 |
| Florida | 15.5 | $155 | North Dakota | 11.6 | $116 |
| Georgia | 14.2 | $142 | Ohio | 14.6 | $146 |
| Hawaii | 42.1 | $421 | Oklahoma | 12.4 | $124 |
| Idaho | 10.5 | $105 | Oregon | 12.0 | $120 |
| Illinois | 15.4 | $154 | Pennsylvania | 17.5 | $175 |
| Indiana | 14.8 | $148 | Rhode Island | 27.8 | $278 |
| Iowa | 14.0 | $140 | South Carolina | 14.5 | $145 |
| Kansas | 13.8 | $138 | South Dakota | 12.8 | $128 |
| Kentucky | 12.3 | $123 | Tennessee | 12.8 | $128 |
| Louisiana | 12.1 | $121 | Texas | 14.2 | $142 |
| Maine | 24.8 | $248 | Utah | 11.2 | $112 |
| Maryland | 16.2 | $162 | Vermont | 21.4 | $214 |
| Massachusetts | 28.6 | $286 | Virginia | 14.0 | $140 |
| Michigan | 18.4 | $184 | Washington | 10.8 | $108 |
| Minnesota | 14.5 | $145 | West Virginia | 12.9 | $129 |
| Mississippi | 13.8 | $138 | Wisconsin | 16.1 | $161 |
| Missouri | 12.7 | $127 | Wyoming | 11.5 | $115 |
These are average residential rates. Your actual rate may be higher or lower depending on your specific utility, rate plan, and usage tier. Check your most recent bill for your exact rate. For a deeper dive, see our electricity cost by state breakdown.
What Does 1 kWh Actually Power?
One kWh is an abstract concept until you see it in real-world terms. Here's what a single kilowatt-hour can do:
| 1 kWh Powers... | Duration |
|---|---|
| A 10W LED light bulb | 100 hours |
| A 60W incandescent bulb | 16.7 hours |
| A ceiling fan on medium | 15 hours |
| A laptop computer | 20 hours |
| A 55" LED TV | 17 hours |
| A microwave oven (1,000W) | 1 hour |
| A hair dryer (1,875W) | 32 minutes |
| A space heater (1,500W) | 40 minutes |
| A clothes dryer (3,000W) | 20 minutes |
| An electric vehicle | ~3-4 miles of driving |
At the national average of $0.168/kWh, each of these scenarios costs you about 17 cents. In Hawaii, that same kWh costs 42 cents. In Idaho, just 10.5 cents.
Common Appliance Costs: What You're Really Paying
Here's what typical household appliances actually cost to operate in 2026, calculated at the national average rate of $0.168/kWh.
Heating & Cooling
| Appliance | Typical kWh/Year | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central AC (2,000 sq ft, 14 SEER) | 3,600 | $605 | $50* |
| Central AC (2,000 sq ft, 20 SEER2) | 2,520 | $423 | $35* |
| Window AC (10,000 BTU) | 1,400 | $235 | $39** |
| Portable AC (12,000 BTU) | 1,700 | $286 | $48** |
| Space Heater (1,500W, 8 hrs/day) | 2,160*** | $363 | $60*** |
| Electric Baseboard (1,500W/room) | 5,400**** | $907 | $151**** |
| Heat Pump (2,000 sq ft, 16 SEER2) | 5,400 | $907 | $76 |
| Ceiling Fan | 55 | $9 | $0.77 |
*Averaged over 6-month cooling season. **6-month season. ***6-month heating season. ****6-month heating season, 3 rooms.
Water Heating
| Type | kWh/Year | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Electric Tank (50 gal) | 3,500 | $588 | $49 |
| High-Efficiency Electric Tank | 3,000 | $504 | $42 |
| Heat Pump Water Heater (50 gal) | 1,000 | $168 | $14 |
| Tankless Electric | 2,500 | $420 | $35 |
Kitchen Appliances
| Appliance | kWh/Year | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (new, ENERGY STAR) | 400 | $67 | $5.60 |
| Refrigerator (pre-2000) | 900 | $151 | $12.60 |
| Electric Range/Oven | 750 | $126 | $10.50 |
| Induction Cooktop | 500 | $84 | $7.00 |
| Dishwasher (ENERGY STAR) | 270 | $45 | $3.78 |
| Microwave | 110 | $18 | $1.54 |
| Coffee Maker (daily use) | 55 | $9 | $0.77 |
Laundry
| Appliance | kWh/Year | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clothes Washer (ENERGY STAR) | 90 | $15 | $1.26 |
| Electric Dryer (standard) | 630 | $106 | $8.82 |
| Heat Pump Dryer | 240 | $40 | $3.36 |
Electronics & Other
| Appliance | kWh/Year | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop Computer + Monitor | 360 | $60 | $5.04 |
| Laptop | 72 | $12 | $1.01 |
| Gaming Console (active use) | 180 | $30 | $2.52 |
| WiFi Router | 88 | $15 | $1.23 |
| Cable/Satellite Box | 175 | $29 | $2.45 |
| Pool Pump (1.5 HP) | 3,000 | $504 | $42 |
| Hot Tub | 2,500 | $420 | $35 |
Real-World Cost Calculation Examples
Example 1: How Much Does Running the AC Cost Per Hour?
You have a 3-ton central air conditioner rated at 14 SEER in Texas (rate: $0.142/kWh).
A 3-ton AC at 14 SEER draws approximately 2,571 watts (36,000 BTU ÷ 14 SEER = 2,571W).
- Per hour: 2.57 kWh × $0.142 = $0.37/hour
- Per day (8 hours runtime): 20.6 kWh × $0.142 = $2.92/day
- Per month (peak summer): 617 kWh × $0.142 = $87.59/month
- Per cooling season (6 months): ~2,400 kWh × $0.142 = $340.80/season
Example 2: Is a Space Heater Cheaper Than Cranking Up the Furnace?
You're in Ohio ($0.146/kWh, gas rate $1.15/therm) and wondering if a 1,500W space heater for your home office beats raising the whole-house thermostat.
Space heater (one room, 8 hours): 12 kWh × $0.146 = $1.75/day
Furnace (80% AFUE, raising temp 2°F for whole 2,000 sq ft house): Approximately 0.8 therms/day × $1.15 ÷ 0.80 = $1.15/day
In this scenario, the furnace is actually cheaper for the whole house. But if you're only occupying one room and can lower the thermostat 5°F while running the space heater, the heater wins: $1.75 for the heater vs. the furnace savings of $2.88/day from the setback, netting $1.13/day in savings.
Example 3: Electric vs. Gas Water Heating Monthly Cost
For a family of four using 64 gallons of hot water per day in Massachusetts ($0.286/kWh, $1.85/therm).
Standard electric tank (EF 0.92): ~400 kWh/month × $0.286 = $114.40/month
Gas tank (EF 0.62): ~30 therms/month × $1.85 ÷ 0.62 = $89.52/month
Heat pump water heater (UEF 3.5): ~114 kWh/month × $0.286 = $32.60/month
The heat pump water heater saves over $80/month compared to the standard electric tank and over $55/month compared to gas. See our electric water heating cost by state for detailed analysis.
Example 4: What Does an EV Charger Add to Your Electric Bill?
You drive 1,000 miles/month in an EV averaging 3.5 miles/kWh, charging at home in California ($0.276/kWh peak, $0.14/kWh off-peak TOU).
At peak rates: 286 kWh × $0.276 = $78.94/month
At off-peak TOU rates: 286 kWh × $0.14 = $40.04/month
Gasoline equivalent (30 MPG, $4.50/gal): 33.3 gal × $4.50 = $149.85/month
Even at California peak rates, the EV costs roughly half as much as gasoline. At off-peak TOU rates, it's about 73% cheaper. This is why time-of-use rates matter enormously for EV owners.
Understanding Your Electricity Bill Line Items
Your bill includes more than just the per-kWh charge. Here's what each component means:
| Line Item | What It Is | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Energy/Generation Charge | Cost of producing the electricity | 60–70% of total |
| Transmission Charge | Moving power from plants to substations | 5–10% of total |
| Distribution Charge | Delivering power from substations to your home | 15–20% of total |
| Customer Charge | Fixed monthly service fee | $5–$20/month |
| Fuel Adjustment | Pass-through of fuel cost changes | Variable |
| Renewable Energy Charge | Funding for renewable programs | $2–$10/month |
| Taxes & Fees | State, local taxes, regulatory fees | 5–12% of total |
When calculating your "true" cost per kWh, divide your total bill (minus any fixed monthly charges) by your total kWh used. This gives you your "all-in" effective rate, which is usually 10–20% higher than the advertised energy rate alone.
How kWh Costs Compare Across Energy Sources
When evaluating whether to go electric, gas, propane, or solar, you need to compare costs on an equal footing. The standard comparison unit is cost per million BTU delivered.
| Energy Source | 2026 Avg Price | Efficiency | Effective Cost/MMBTU |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Gas (furnace) | $1.22/therm | 96% AFUE | $12.71 |
| Natural Gas (furnace, old) | $1.22/therm | 80% AFUE | $15.25 |
| Electricity (resistance heat) | $0.168/kWh | 100% | $49.24 |
| Electricity (heat pump, COP 3.0) | $0.168/kWh | 300% | $16.41 |
| Electricity (heat pump, COP 4.0) | $0.168/kWh | 400% | $12.31 |
| Propane | $2.85/gallon | 95% AFUE | $32.75 |
| Heating Oil | $3.95/gallon | 85% AFUE | $33.50 |
| Wood Pellets | $280/ton | 80% | $21.34 |
This table reveals why heat pumps are transforming the economics of home heating. At a COP of 4.0 (common for modern cold-climate heat pumps at moderate temperatures), electricity through a heat pump is actually cheaper per BTU than natural gas — even at the national average electric rate.
Tips for Reducing Your Cost Per kWh
You can't always control your utility's rate, but you can effectively reduce what you pay per kWh through several strategies.
Switch to a TOU plan. If your utility offers time-of-use pricing, shifting major loads to off-peak hours (nights, weekends) can cut your effective rate by 15–25%. This works especially well if you can charge EVs, run dishwashers, and do laundry during off-peak windows.
Install solar panels. A solar system produces electricity at an effective cost of $0.04–$0.08/kWh over its 25-year life, well below any utility rate. With net metering, excess production offsets your bill at retail rates.
Negotiate your rate. In deregulated states (Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and others), you can shop for competitive electricity suppliers. Comparison sites like EnergySage, Power to Choose (TX), and PA Power Switch let you find lower rates.
Reduce consumption in expensive tiers. If you're on a tiered rate plan, every kWh you save comes off the most expensive tier first. Cutting 200 kWh/month from a tiered plan might save $0.25/kWh on those kilowatt-hours — far more than the average rate suggests.
Participate in demand response. Many utilities offer bill credits ($50–$200/year) for allowing brief, controlled adjustments to your AC during peak demand events. You typically won't notice the difference, but the credits add up.
Key Takeaways:
- 1 kWh costs $0.168 on average nationally, but ranges from $0.105 to $0.421 by state
- Formula: Cost = kWh × Rate per kWh
- Your biggest electricity consumers are HVAC, water heating, and clothes drying
- Space heaters cost $1.50–$2.50/day — they're only economical for single-room heating
- Heat pump water heaters cut water heating costs by 65–75%
- Always use your "all-in" rate (total bill ÷ total kWh) for accurate calculations
- TOU plans, solar, and shopping for rates can reduce your effective cost per kWh
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