How much does it cost to run a desktop computer?
A desktop computer costs about 1.6¢ per hour, 10¢ a day, $3.15 a month and $38 a year at typical use (6 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. A typical desktop tower without a discrete gaming GPU draws 50-120 W in use; sleep mode draws 1-3 W. Monitor not included.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light office use | 60 | 1.1¢ | 7.1¢ | $2.17 | $26 |
| Typical mixed use | 90 | 1.6¢ | 10¢ | $3.15 | $38 |
| Heavy use / editing | 180 | 3.2¢ | 20¢ | $6.11 | $73 |
At 6 hours a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.14 | 2.4¢ | $0.74 | $9 |
| 2 hours | 0.22 | 4.0¢ | $1.23 | $15 |
| 4 hours | 0.40 | 7.2¢ | $2.19 | $26 |
| 8 hours | 0.75 | 14¢ | $4.12 | $49 |
| 12 hours | 1.10 | 20¢ | $6.05 | $73 |
| 24 hours | 2.16 | 39¢ | $11.83 | $142 |
Cost to run a desktop computer in every state
The same desktop computer costs $26 a year in North Dakota and $92 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¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.16 | $26 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.22 | $27 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.25 | $27 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.28 | $27 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.34 | $28 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.34 | $28 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.35 | $28 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.38 | $29 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.40 | $29 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.43 | $29 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.44 | $29 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.45 | $29 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.46 | $29 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.48 | $30 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.48 | $30 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.49 | $30 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.59 | $31 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.59 | $31 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 1.4¢ | $2.65 | $32 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 1.4¢ | $2.65 | $32 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 1.4¢ | $2.69 | $32 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 1.4¢ | $2.70 | $32 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 1.4¢ | $2.70 | $32 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 1.4¢ | $2.71 | $33 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 1.4¢ | $2.72 | $33 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 1.4¢ | $2.74 | $33 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 1.4¢ | $2.80 | $34 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 1.5¢ | $2.84 | $34 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 1.5¢ | $2.88 | $35 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 1.5¢ | $2.89 | $35 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 1.5¢ | $2.91 | $35 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 1.5¢ | $2.97 | $36 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 1.6¢ | $3.12 | $37 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 1.6¢ | $3.20 | $38 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 1.7¢ | $3.29 | $39 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 1.7¢ | $3.29 | $40 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 1.9¢ | $3.63 | $44 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 1.9¢ | $3.69 | $44 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 1.9¢ | $3.69 | $44 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 2.1¢ | $4.17 | $50 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 2.1¢ | $4.17 | $50 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 2.2¢ | $4.24 | $51 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 2.4¢ | $4.68 | $56 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 2.4¢ | $4.71 | $56 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 2.5¢ | $4.91 | $59 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 2.6¢ | $4.98 | $60 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 2.6¢ | $5.13 | $62 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 2.6¢ | $5.14 | $62 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 2.7¢ | $5.33 | $64 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 3.0¢ | $5.78 | $69 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 3.9¢ | $7.63 | $92 |
Most efficient desktop computer models
The lowest-energy ENERGY STAR certified models, out of 1,729 certified models. In this class, the best model costs $0 a year to run. The least efficient costs $42. Same size, $42 a year apart.
| Brand | Model | kWh/yr | Cost/yr | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer | CBV514-1H | 2 | $0 | Amazon |
| MAXHUB | XPG14M | 3 | $0 | Amazon |
| HP | FCW-2402A | 3 | $1 | Amazon |
| Amazon | RL3YT5 | 3 | $1 | Amazon |
| Lenovo | TB351FU | 3 | $1 | Amazon |
| Lenovo | TB305FU | 3 | $1 | Amazon |
| Samsung | SM-X110 | 4 | $1 | Amazon |
| Ceibal | H9190L | 4 | $1 | Amazon |
| MAXHUB | XPT34M | 4 | $1 | Amazon |
| Lenovo | TB310FU | 4 | $1 | Amazon |
Yearly cost from the official annual energy use and 17.99¢/kWh. Look up any model in the calculator with “Look up my exact model”. Source: ENERGY STAR, updated 2026-10-21. Amazon links search for the exact model; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How to cut the cost
- Set sleep after 15-30 minutes of inactivity; a PC left on 24/7 at 60 W idle uses over 500 kWh a year.
- Shut down overnight and on weekends instead of leaving it idling.
- Turn on the Balanced or Power Saver plan in Windows.
- Replace an old spinning hard drive with an SSD, saving 5-8 W and speeding boot-up.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Small PCs do office work at 10-25 W instead of 60-120 W.
See options on AmazonCertified models meet strict limits on idle and sleep power.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop computer | 90 | 6 hours a day | $3.15 | $38 |
| Computer monitor | 25 | 6 hours a day | $0.85 | $10 |
| Laptop | 40 | 6 hours a day | $1.36 | $16 |
| Gaming PC | 400 | 3 hours a day | $5.60 | $67 |
| Mac mini | 12 | 8 hours a day | $0.61 | $7 |
| Home server | 80 | 24 hours a day | $10.51 | $126 |
| iMac / all-in-one computer | 60 | 6 hours a day | $2.07 | $25 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a desktop computer per hour?
A desktop computer drawing 90 watts uses 0.09 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 1.6¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 1.1¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 3.9¢.
How much does it cost to run a desktop computer per month?
At typical use (6 hours a day), a desktop computer costs about $3.15 a month and $38 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a desktop computer use?
Most desktop computers use 40 to 250 watts, depending on the setting (light office use 60 W, typical mixed use 90 W, heavy use / editing 180 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 2 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a desktop computer use?
About 0.58 kWh a day and 210 kWh a year at typical use (6 hours a day).
Does a desktop computer use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 210 kWh a year it's a small share (2.0%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a desktop computer or a computer monitor?
At typical use, a desktop computer costs about $38 a year versus $10 for a computer monitor. So the computer monitor is cheaper by about $28 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a desktop computer?
- Set sleep after 15-30 minutes of inactivity; a PC left on 24/7 at 60 W idle uses over 500 kWh a year.
- Shut down overnight and on weekends instead of leaving it idling.
- Turn on the Balanced or Power Saver plan in Windows.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.