How much does it cost to run an electric lawn mower (corded)?
An electric lawn mower (corded) costs about 25¢ per hour, 2.7¢ a day, $0.82 a month and $6 a year at typical use (45 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 7 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Corded mowers draw 10-13 A (about 1,200-1,500 W) and mowing a quarter-acre takes about 45 minutes, about 1 kWh, or roughly 30 kWh a season.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.20 | 3.6¢ | $1.10 | $13 |
| 2 hours | 0.40 | 7.2¢ | $2.19 | $26 |
| 4 hours | 0.80 | 14¢ | $4.38 | $53 |
| 8 hours | 1.60 | 29¢ | $8.76 | $105 |
| 12 hours | 2.40 | 43¢ | $13.14 | $158 |
| 24 hours | 4.80 | 86¢ | $26.28 | $315 |
Cost to run an electric lawn mower (corded) in every state
The same electric lawn mower (corded) costs $4 a year in North Dakota and $14 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 17¢ | $0.56 | $4 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 18¢ | $0.58 | $4 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 18¢ | $0.59 | $4 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 18¢ | $0.59 | $4 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 19¢ | $0.61 | $4 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 19¢ | $0.61 | $4 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 19¢ | $0.61 | $4 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 19¢ | $0.62 | $4 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 19¢ | $0.63 | $4 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 19¢ | $0.63 | $4 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 19¢ | $0.64 | $4 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 20¢ | $0.64 | $4 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 20¢ | $0.64 | $4 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 20¢ | $0.64 | $5 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 20¢ | $0.65 | $5 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 20¢ | $0.65 | $5 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 21¢ | $0.67 | $5 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 21¢ | $0.67 | $5 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 21¢ | $0.69 | $5 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 21¢ | $0.69 | $5 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 21¢ | $0.70 | $5 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 22¢ | $0.70 | $5 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 22¢ | $0.70 | $5 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 22¢ | $0.71 | $5 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 22¢ | $0.71 | $5 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 22¢ | $0.71 | $5 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 22¢ | $0.73 | $5 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 23¢ | $0.74 | $5 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 23¢ | $0.75 | $5 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 23¢ | $0.75 | $5 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 23¢ | $0.76 | $5 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 24¢ | $0.77 | $5 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 25¢ | $0.81 | $6 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 26¢ | $0.83 | $6 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 26¢ | $0.86 | $6 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 26¢ | $0.86 | $6 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 29¢ | $0.95 | $7 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 29¢ | $0.96 | $7 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 29¢ | $0.96 | $7 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 33¢ | $1.09 | $8 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 33¢ | $1.09 | $8 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 34¢ | $1.10 | $8 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 37¢ | $1.22 | $9 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 38¢ | $1.23 | $9 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 39¢ | $1.28 | $9 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 40¢ | $1.30 | $9 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 41¢ | $1.34 | $9 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 41¢ | $1.34 | $9 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 43¢ | $1.39 | $10 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 46¢ | $1.51 | $11 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 61¢ | $1.99 | $14 |
How to cut the cost
- Mow when grass is dry; wet grass loads the motor more.
- Keep the blade sharp; sharpen every 20-25 hours.
- Use a 12-gauge extension cord for runs over 50 ft to avoid voltage drop.
- Raise cutting height to 3-3.5 inches and mow more often so the motor isn't overloaded.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Similar energy use without a cord; charging costs a few dollars a year.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric lawn mower (corded) | 1,400 | 45 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 7 months a year | $0.82 | $6 |
| Battery lawn mower | 300 | 1.5 hours a day, 1 days a week for 7 months a year | $0.48 | $3 |
| Robotic lawn mower | 30 | 8 hours a day for 7 months a year | $1.31 | $9 |
| String trimmer | 500 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 7 months a year | $0.20 | $1 |
| Leaf blower | 1,200 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year | $0.47 | $3 |
| Electric snow blower | 1,700 | 45 minutes a day, 2 days a week for 4 months a year | $1.99 | $8 |
| Electric chainsaw | 1,800 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year | $0.70 | $4 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an electric lawn mower (corded) per hour?
An electric lawn mower (corded) drawing 1,400 watts uses 1.40 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 25¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 17¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 61¢.
How much does it cost to run an electric lawn mower (corded) per month?
At typical use (45 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 7 months a year), an electric lawn mower (corded) costs about $0.82 a month while in use and $6 a year over the 7 months it's typically used, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does an electric lawn mower (corded) use?
Most electric lawn mower (corded)s use 1,000 to 1,600 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an electric lawn mower (corded) use?
About 0.15 kWh a day and 32 kWh a year at typical use (45 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 7 months a year).
Does an electric lawn mower (corded) use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 32 kWh a year it's a small share (0.3%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run an electric lawn mower (corded) or a battery lawn mower?
At typical use, an electric lawn mower (corded) costs about $6 a year versus $3 for a battery lawn mower. So the battery lawn mower is cheaper by about $2 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an electric lawn mower (corded)?
- Mow when grass is dry; wet grass loads the motor more.
- Keep the blade sharp; sharpen every 20-25 hours.
- Use a 12-gauge extension cord for runs over 50 ft to avoid voltage drop.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.