Dishwasher: electricity cost calculator
Quick answer: a typical dishwasher costs about $8/month while in use at the U.S. average electricity price (18.44¢/kWh) — about $101 per year. Your number depends on wattage, runtime and your state — calculate it below.
A dishwasher averages 1,200–1,800 W during a cycle, dominated by water heating. The preset models one one-hour cycle per day.
1.50 kWh/day used · 46 kWh/month in use · 548 kWh/year at 18.44¢ per kWh
Low, typical and heavy use
Monthly cost while in use, at the U.S. average price of 18.44¢/kWh.
| Scenario | Watts | Hours/day | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light use | 1,200 W | 0.6 h | $4.04 |
| Typical | 1,500 W | 1.0 h | $8.42 |
| Heavy use | 1,800 W | 1.5 h | $15.15 |
Common questions
Dishwasher vs hand washing — which wins?
A full modern dishwasher usually beats hand washing on both water and energy per dish, especially with an efficient water heater.
Cost in every state
Monthly cost of a typical dishwasher (1,500 W, 1h/day) at each state's average residential price, May 2026.
| State | Avg price | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.77¢ | $7.66 |
| Alaska | 28.23¢ | $12.89 |
| Arizona | 15.23¢ | $6.95 |
| Arkansas | 14.36¢ | $6.56 |
| California | 33.25¢ | $15.18 |
| Colorado | 16.16¢ | $7.38 |
| Connecticut | 27.37¢ | $12.50 |
| Delaware | 19.38¢ | $8.85 |
| District of Columbia | 25.40¢ | $11.60 |
| Florida | 15.17¢ | $6.93 |
| Georgia | 15.84¢ | $7.23 |
| Hawaii | 52.00¢ | $23.74 |
| Idaho | 12.35¢ | $5.64 |
| Illinois | 23.85¢ | $10.89 |
| Indiana | 18.15¢ | $8.29 |
| Iowa | 14.14¢ | $6.46 |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ | $6.91 |
| Kentucky | 14.98¢ | $6.84 |
| Louisiana | 14.15¢ | $6.46 |
| Maine | 28.63¢ | $13.07 |
| Maryland | 21.77¢ | $9.94 |
| Massachusetts | 28.82¢ | $13.16 |
| Michigan | 22.01¢ | $10.05 |
| Minnesota | 16.95¢ | $7.74 |
| Mississippi | 16.16¢ | $7.38 |
| Missouri | 13.68¢ | $6.25 |
| Montana | 14.67¢ | $6.70 |
| Nebraska | 13.59¢ | $6.20 |
| Nevada | 13.60¢ | $6.21 |
| New Hampshire | 27.33¢ | $12.48 |
| New Jersey | 23.27¢ | $10.62 |
| New Mexico | 14.12¢ | $6.45 |
| New York | 29.93¢ | $13.66 |
| North Carolina | 15.09¢ | $6.89 |
| North Dakota | 13.61¢ | $6.21 |
| Ohio | 19.52¢ | $8.91 |
| Oklahoma | 13.38¢ | $6.11 |
| Oregon | 16.27¢ | $7.43 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.55¢ | $9.84 |
| Rhode Island | 29.46¢ | $13.45 |
| South Carolina | 16.18¢ | $7.39 |
| South Dakota | 15.73¢ | $7.18 |
| Tennessee | 14.47¢ | $6.61 |
| Texas | 16.44¢ | $7.51 |
| Utah | 12.96¢ | $5.92 |
| Vermont | 24.89¢ | $11.36 |
| Virginia | 17.61¢ | $8.04 |
| Washington | 14.95¢ | $6.83 |
| West Virginia | 16.80¢ | $7.67 |
| Wisconsin | 19.74¢ | $9.01 |
| Wyoming | 14.80¢ | $6.76 |
Related calculators
Refrigerator Runs 24/7, but the compressor only works part-time.
~150 W · 8h/day →
Garage refrigerator Usually an old unit in a hot space — a double penalty.
~200 W · 10h/day →
Upright freezer Frost-free convenience costs extra energy.
~120 W · 8h/day →
Chest freezer The cheapest cold storage per cubic foot.
~90 W · 8h/day →
Microwave High draw, short bursts — cheaper than the oven for small jobs.
~1,100 W · 0.25h/day →
Electric oven Preheating and long bakes are where the money goes.
~2,400 W · 1h/day →
Methodology & sources
Cost = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × price per kWh. Electricity prices are average residential prices by state from the EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (May 2026). EIA averages include delivery charges and taxes but are not any specific utility tariff — for an exact figure, use the rate from your own bill. Wattage presets reflect common product ranges; check your appliance's nameplate or a plug-in power meter for its true draw.
Last verified: July 30, 2026. Prices refresh automatically each month when EIA publishes new data.