How much does it cost to run an LED bulb?
An LED bulb costs about 0.2¢ per hour, 0.5¢ a day, $0.15 a month and $2 a year at typical use (3 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. LED bulbs use about 75-85% less power than incandescents for the same light: a 60 W-equivalent LED draws about 8-9 W. DOE uses about 3 hours a day for typical residential lighting.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 W equivalent (6 W) | 6 | 0.1¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| 60 W equivalent (9 W) | 9 | 0.2¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| 75 W equivalent (11 W) | 11 | 0.2¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| 100 W equivalent (14 W) | 14 | 0.3¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
At 3 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 | 0.01 | 0.2¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| 2 hours | 0.02 | 0.3¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| 4 hours | 0.04 | 0.6¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| 8 hours | 0.07 | 1.3¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| 12 hours | 0.11 | 1.9¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| 24 hours | 0.22 | 3.9¢ | $1.18 | $14 |
Cost to run an LED bulb in every state
The same LED bulb costs $1 a year in North Dakota and $4 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¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.36 | $4 |
How to cut the cost
- Replace the bulbs you use most first: kitchen, living room, porch.
- Use dimmable LEDs with LED-rated dimmers; dimming 50% cuts power about 40%.
- Choose lumens, not watts: 800 lumens replaces a 60 W bulb.
- Add occupancy sensors in closets, garages and bathrooms.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Turns lights off automatically in rooms people leave, cutting lighting hours 20-50%.
See options on AmazonCertified bulbs meet lifetime and color tests, so they last 15,000+ hours.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LED bulb | 9 | 3 hours a day | $0.15 | $2 |
| Incandescent bulb | 60 | 3 hours a day | $0.99 | $12 |
| CFL bulb | 13 | 3 hours a day | $0.21 | $3 |
| Smart bulb | 9 | 3 hours a day | $0.19 | $2 |
| LED strip lights | 24 | 5 hours a day | $0.66 | $8 |
| LED string lights | 15 | 5 hours a day | $0.41 | $5 |
| Salt lamp | 15 | 12 hours a day | $0.99 | $12 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an LED bulb per hour?
An LED bulb drawing 9 watts uses 0.01 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.2¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.1¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 0.4¢.
How much does it cost to run an LED bulb per month?
At typical use (3 hours a day), an LED bulb costs about $0.15 a month and $2 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does an LED bulb use?
Most LED bulbs use 4 to 20 watts, depending on the setting (40 w equivalent (6 w) 6 W, 60 w equivalent (9 w) 9 W, 75 w equivalent (11 w) 11 W, 100 w equivalent (14 w) 14 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an LED bulb use?
About 0.03 kWh a day and 10 kWh a year at typical use (3 hours a day).
Does an LED bulb use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 10 kWh a year it's a small share (0.1%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run an LED bulb or an incandescent bulb?
At typical use, an LED bulb costs about $2 a year versus $12 for an incandescent bulb. So the LED bulb is cheaper by about $10 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an LED bulb?
- Replace the bulbs you use most first: kitchen, living room, porch.
- Use dimmable LEDs with LED-rated dimmers; dimming 50% cuts power about 40%.
- Choose lumens, not watts: 800 lumens replaces a 60 W bulb.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.