How much does it cost to run a microwave?
A microwave costs about 22¢ per hour, 6.3¢ a day, $1.90 a month and $23 a year at typical use (15 minutes a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. A microwave's advertised wattage is cooking output; it draws about 1.4-1.6x that from the wall. Clocks and displays add 1-3 W standby.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 700 W compact | 1,050 | 19¢ | 5.6¢ | $1.70 | $20 |
| 1,000-1,100 W standard | 1,200 | 22¢ | 6.3¢ | $1.90 | $23 |
| 1,200+ W large | 1,600 | 29¢ | 8.1¢ | $2.45 | $29 |
At 15 minutes 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 | 1.25 | 22¢ | $6.82 | $82 |
| 2 hours | 2.44 | 44¢ | $13.38 | $161 |
| 4 hours | 4.84 | 87¢ | $26.50 | $318 |
| 8 hours | 9.63 | $1.73 | $52.74 | $633 |
| 12 hours | 14.42 | $2.59 | $78.98 | $948 |
| 24 hours | 28.80 | $5.18 | $158 | $1,892 |
Cost to run a microwave in every state
The same microwave costs $16 a year in North Dakota and $55 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¢ | 15¢ | $1.30 | $16 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 15¢ | $1.34 | $16 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 15¢ | $1.36 | $16 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 16¢ | $1.37 | $16 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 16¢ | $1.41 | $17 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 16¢ | $1.41 | $17 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 16¢ | $1.42 | $17 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 16¢ | $1.43 | $17 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 16¢ | $1.45 | $17 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 17¢ | $1.46 | $18 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 17¢ | $1.47 | $18 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 17¢ | $1.48 | $18 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 17¢ | $1.48 | $18 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 17¢ | $1.49 | $18 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 17¢ | $1.49 | $18 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 17¢ | $1.50 | $18 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 18¢ | $1.56 | $19 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 18¢ | $1.56 | $19 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 18¢ | $1.60 | $19 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 18¢ | $1.60 | $19 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 18¢ | $1.62 | $19 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 18¢ | $1.63 | $20 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 18¢ | $1.63 | $20 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 19¢ | $1.64 | $20 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 19¢ | $1.64 | $20 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 19¢ | $1.65 | $20 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 19¢ | $1.69 | $20 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 19¢ | $1.72 | $21 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 20¢ | $1.74 | $21 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 20¢ | $1.74 | $21 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 20¢ | $1.75 | $21 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 20¢ | $1.79 | $22 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 21¢ | $1.88 | $23 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 22¢ | $1.93 | $23 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 22¢ | $1.98 | $24 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 23¢ | $1.99 | $24 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 25¢ | $2.19 | $26 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 25¢ | $2.22 | $27 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 25¢ | $2.23 | $27 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 29¢ | $2.52 | $30 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 29¢ | $2.52 | $30 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 29¢ | $2.56 | $31 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 32¢ | $2.82 | $34 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 32¢ | $2.84 | $34 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 34¢ | $2.96 | $36 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 34¢ | $3.00 | $36 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 35¢ | $3.10 | $37 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 35¢ | $3.10 | $37 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 37¢ | $3.22 | $39 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 40¢ | $3.49 | $42 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 52¢ | $4.60 | $55 |
How to cut the cost
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave instead of the oven; it uses 50-80% less energy.
- Cover food to steam it faster and evenly.
- Unplug or use a switched outlet if you don't need the clock; it saves 10-25 kWh a year.
- Cut food into smaller, even pieces to shorten cook time.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Removes clock standby load from microwave and countertop appliances when not in use.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microwave | 1,200 | 15 minutes a day | $1.90 | $23 |
| Toaster oven | 1,300 | 18 minutes a day | $1.62 | $19 |
| Electric oven | 3,000 | 3 hour of bakings a week | $3.75 | $45 |
| Air fryer | 1,500 | 24 minutes a day | $1.97 | $24 |
| Electric kettle | 1,500 | 6 minutes a day | $0.82 | $10 |
| Indoor electric grill | 1,200 | 18 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $0.34 | $4 |
| Nespresso | 1,300 | 10 cups a week | $0.26 | $3 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a microwave per hour?
A microwave drawing 1,200 watts uses 1.20 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 22¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 15¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 52¢.
How much does it cost to run a microwave per month?
At typical use (15 minutes a day), a microwave costs about $1.90 a month and $23 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 microwave use?
Most microwaves use 700 to 1,800 watts, depending on the setting (700 w compact 1,050 W, 1,000-1,100 w standard 1,200 W, 1,200+ w large 1,600 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 microwave use?
About 0.35 kWh a day and 127 kWh a year at typical use (15 minutes a day).
Does a microwave use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 127 kWh a year it's a small share (1.2%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a microwave or a toaster oven?
At typical use, a microwave costs about $23 a year versus $19 for a toaster oven. So the toaster oven is cheaper by about $3 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a microwave?
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave instead of the oven; it uses 50-80% less energy.
- Cover food to steam it faster and evenly.
- Unplug or use a switched outlet if you don't need the clock; it saves 10-25 kWh a year.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.