How much does it cost to run a security camera?
A security camera costs about 0.09¢ per hour, 2.2¢ a day, $0.66 a month and $8 a year at typical use (24 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Wired cameras draw about 3-7 W each, around the clock; infrared night vision adds 1-3 W. An NVR recorder adds 10-25 W.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor Wi-Fi camera | 3 | 0.05¢ | 1.3¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| Outdoor PoE camera | 5 | 0.09¢ | 2.2¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| Camera with night IR / spotlight | 10 | 0.2¢ | 4.3¢ | $1.31 | $16 |
At 24 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 | 0.09¢ | $0.03 | $0 |
| 2 hours | 0.01 | 0.2¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| 4 hours | 0.02 | 0.4¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| 8 hours | 0.04 | 0.7¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| 12 hours | 0.06 | 1.1¢ | $0.33 | $4 |
| 24 hours | 0.12 | 2.2¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
Cost to run a security camera in every state
The same security camera costs $5 a year in North Dakota and $19 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¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.45 | $5 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.46 | $6 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.47 | $6 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.47 | $6 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.58 | $7 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.60 | $7 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.60 | $7 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.09¢ | $0.65 | $8 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.09¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.09¢ | $0.68 | $8 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.09¢ | $0.69 | $8 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.76 | $9 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.77 | $9 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.77 | $9 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.87 | $10 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.87 | $10 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.88 | $11 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.97 | $12 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.98 | $12 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.1¢ | $1.02 | $12 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.1¢ | $1.04 | $12 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.1¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.1¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.2¢ | $1.11 | $13 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.2¢ | $1.20 | $14 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 0.2¢ | $1.59 | $19 |
How to cut the cost
- Use motion-based recording rather than continuous 24/7 recording.
- Turn off cameras' built-in spotlights or set them to motion-only.
- Use cloud or SD recording instead of a separate always-on NVR for 1-2 cameras.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security camera | 5 | 24 hours a day | $0.66 | $8 |
| Video doorbell | 4 | 24 hours a day | $0.53 | $6 |
| Security floodlight | 30 | 11 hours a day | $1.88 | $23 |
| Smart home hub | 3 | 24 hours a day | $0.39 | $5 |
| Home security system | 8 | 24 hours a day | $1.05 | $13 |
| Water softener | 4 | 24 hours a day | $0.53 | $6 |
| UV water purifier | 40 | 24 hours a day | $5.26 | $63 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a security camera per hour?
A security camera drawing 5 watts uses 0.01 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.09¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.06¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 0.2¢.
How much does it cost to run a security camera per month?
At typical use (24 hours a day), a security camera costs about $0.66 a month and $8 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 security camera use?
Most security cameras use 2 to 15 watts, depending on the setting (indoor wi-fi camera 3 W, outdoor poe camera 5 W, camera with night ir / spotlight 10 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a security camera use?
About 0.12 kWh a day and 44 kWh a year at typical use (24 hours a day).
Does a security camera use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 44 kWh a year it's a small share (0.4%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a security camera or a video doorbell?
At typical use, a security camera costs about $8 a year versus $6 for a video doorbell. So the video doorbell 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 a security camera?
- Use motion-based recording rather than continuous 24/7 recording.
- Turn off cameras' built-in spotlights or set them to motion-only.
- Use cloud or SD recording instead of a separate always-on NVR for 1-2 cameras.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.