Security camera system: electricity cost calculator
Quick answer: a typical security camera system costs about $4/month while in use at the U.S. average electricity price (18.44¢/kWh) — about $48 per year. Your number depends on wattage, runtime and your state — calculate it below.
Wired PoE cameras draw 4–8 W each; the recorder (NVR/DVR) with its hard drives adds 10–40 W. A 4-camera system totals roughly 25–50 W running 24/7.
0.72 kWh/day used · 22 kWh/month in use · 263 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 | 10 W | 14.4 h | $0.81 |
| Typical | 30 W | 24.0 h | $4.04 |
| Heavy use | 80 W | 24.0 h | $10.78 |
Common questions
What does a 4-camera system cost per year?
At 30 W around the clock, about 263 kWh — roughly $48 per year at the U.S. average price.
Cost in every state
Monthly cost of a typical security camera system (30 W, 24h/day) at each state's average residential price, May 2026.
| State | Avg price | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.77¢ | $3.68 |
| Alaska | 28.23¢ | $6.19 |
| Arizona | 15.23¢ | $3.34 |
| Arkansas | 14.36¢ | $3.15 |
| California | 33.25¢ | $7.29 |
| Colorado | 16.16¢ | $3.54 |
| Connecticut | 27.37¢ | $6.00 |
| Delaware | 19.38¢ | $4.25 |
| District of Columbia | 25.40¢ | $5.57 |
| Florida | 15.17¢ | $3.32 |
| Georgia | 15.84¢ | $3.47 |
| Hawaii | 52.00¢ | $11.40 |
| Idaho | 12.35¢ | $2.71 |
| Illinois | 23.85¢ | $5.23 |
| Indiana | 18.15¢ | $3.98 |
| Iowa | 14.14¢ | $3.10 |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ | $3.32 |
| Kentucky | 14.98¢ | $3.28 |
| Louisiana | 14.15¢ | $3.10 |
| Maine | 28.63¢ | $6.27 |
| Maryland | 21.77¢ | $4.77 |
| Massachusetts | 28.82¢ | $6.32 |
| Michigan | 22.01¢ | $4.82 |
| Minnesota | 16.95¢ | $3.71 |
| Mississippi | 16.16¢ | $3.54 |
| Missouri | 13.68¢ | $3.00 |
| Montana | 14.67¢ | $3.21 |
| Nebraska | 13.59¢ | $2.98 |
| Nevada | 13.60¢ | $2.98 |
| New Hampshire | 27.33¢ | $5.99 |
| New Jersey | 23.27¢ | $5.10 |
| New Mexico | 14.12¢ | $3.09 |
| New York | 29.93¢ | $6.56 |
| North Carolina | 15.09¢ | $3.31 |
| North Dakota | 13.61¢ | $2.98 |
| Ohio | 19.52¢ | $4.28 |
| Oklahoma | 13.38¢ | $2.93 |
| Oregon | 16.27¢ | $3.57 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.55¢ | $4.72 |
| Rhode Island | 29.46¢ | $6.46 |
| South Carolina | 16.18¢ | $3.55 |
| South Dakota | 15.73¢ | $3.45 |
| Tennessee | 14.47¢ | $3.17 |
| Texas | 16.44¢ | $3.60 |
| Utah | 12.96¢ | $2.84 |
| Vermont | 24.89¢ | $5.45 |
| Virginia | 17.61¢ | $3.86 |
| Washington | 14.95¢ | $3.28 |
| West Virginia | 16.80¢ | $3.68 |
| Wisconsin | 19.74¢ | $4.33 |
| Wyoming | 14.80¢ | $3.24 |
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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.