How much does it cost to run a sump pump?
A sump pump costs about 14¢ per hour, 4.3¢ a day, $1.31 a month and $16 a year at typical use (18 minutes a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. A 1/3 hp sump pump draws about 700-900 W while pumping; run time varies hugely with groundwater, from near zero to several hours a day in spring.
Calculate your cost
Add as many devices as you like to compare them side by side. Search again to add another, or use Duplicate to compare two settings.
Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 hp | 500 | 9.0¢ | 2.7¢ | $0.82 | $10 |
| 1/3 hp | 800 | 14¢ | 4.3¢ | $1.31 | $16 |
| 1/2 hp | 1,050 | 19¢ | 5.7¢ | $1.72 | $21 |
At 18 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 | 0.80 | 14¢ | $4.38 | $53 |
| 2 hours | 1.60 | 29¢ | $8.76 | $105 |
| 4 hours | 3.20 | 58¢ | $17.52 | $210 |
| 8 hours | 6.40 | $1.15 | $35.04 | $421 |
| 12 hours | 9.60 | $1.73 | $52.57 | $631 |
| 24 hours | 19.20 | $3.45 | $105 | $1,262 |
Cost to run a sump pump in every state
The same sump pump costs $11 a year in North Dakota and $38 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¢ | 9.9¢ | $0.90 | $11 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 10¢ | $0.92 | $11 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 10¢ | $0.94 | $11 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 10¢ | $0.95 | $11 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 11¢ | $0.97 | $12 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 11¢ | $0.98 | $12 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 11¢ | $0.98 | $12 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 11¢ | $0.99 | $12 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 11¢ | $1.00 | $12 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 11¢ | $1.01 | $12 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 11¢ | $1.02 | $12 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 11¢ | $1.02 | $12 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 11¢ | $1.02 | $12 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 11¢ | $1.03 | $12 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 11¢ | $1.03 | $12 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 11¢ | $1.04 | $12 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 12¢ | $1.08 | $13 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 12¢ | $1.08 | $13 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 12¢ | $1.10 | $13 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 12¢ | $1.10 | $13 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 12¢ | $1.12 | $13 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 12¢ | $1.12 | $13 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 12¢ | $1.12 | $13 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 12¢ | $1.13 | $14 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 12¢ | $1.13 | $14 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 13¢ | $1.14 | $14 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 13¢ | $1.17 | $14 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 13¢ | $1.18 | $14 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 13¢ | $1.20 | $14 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 13¢ | $1.20 | $14 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 13¢ | $1.21 | $15 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 14¢ | $1.24 | $15 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 14¢ | $1.30 | $16 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 15¢ | $1.33 | $16 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 15¢ | $1.37 | $16 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 15¢ | $1.37 | $16 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 17¢ | $1.51 | $18 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 17¢ | $1.54 | $18 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 17¢ | $1.54 | $18 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 19¢ | $1.74 | $21 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 19¢ | $1.74 | $21 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 19¢ | $1.77 | $21 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 21¢ | $1.95 | $23 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 21¢ | $1.96 | $24 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 22¢ | $2.04 | $25 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 23¢ | $2.07 | $25 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 23¢ | $2.14 | $26 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 23¢ | $2.14 | $26 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 24¢ | $2.22 | $27 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 26¢ | $2.41 | $29 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 35¢ | $3.18 | $38 |
How to cut the cost
- Extend downspouts 6-10 feet away from the foundation and regrade soil to cut inflow.
- Check that the check valve works; failing valves let water flow back and re-pump.
- Set the float so the pump empties fully but doesn't short-cycle.
- Fix leaky outdoor faucets and irrigation near the house.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Protects the basement during outages.
See options on AmazonDiverting roof water away cuts how often the pump runs.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sump pump | 800 | 18 minutes a day | $1.31 | $16 |
| Well pump | 1,400 | 1 hour a day | $7.67 | $92 |
| Sewage ejector pump | 1,000 | 15 minutes a day | $1.37 | $16 |
| Radon fan | 70 | 24 hours a day | $9.20 | $110 |
| Septic aerator | 80 | 24 hours a day | $10.51 | $126 |
| Water pressure booster pump | 700 | 45 minutes a day | $2.87 | $34 |
| Garage door opener | 450 | 2 minutes a day | $0.60 | $7 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a sump pump per hour?
A sump pump drawing 800 watts uses 0.80 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 14¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 9.9¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 35¢.
How much does it cost to run a sump pump per month?
At typical use (18 minutes a day), a sump pump costs about $1.31 a month and $16 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 sump pump use?
Most sump pumps use 400 to 1,300 watts, depending on the setting (1/4 hp 500 W, 1/3 hp 800 W, 1/2 hp 1,050 W). Starting surge can reach 2,000 W. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a sump pump use?
About 0.24 kWh a day and 88 kWh a year at typical use (18 minutes a day).
Does a sump pump use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 88 kWh a year it's a small share (0.8%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a sump pump or a well pump?
At typical use, a sump pump costs about $16 a year versus $92 for a well pump. So the sump pump is cheaper by about $76 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a sump pump?
- Extend downspouts 6-10 feet away from the foundation and regrade soil to cut inflow.
- Check that the check valve works; failing valves let water flow back and re-pump.
- Set the float so the pump empties fully but doesn't short-cycle.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.