How much does it cost to run a treadmill?
A treadmill costs about 13¢ per hour, 6.7¢ a day, $2.03 a month and $24 a year at typical use (45 minutes a day, 4 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Treadmill motors draw far less than their peak horsepower rating; jogging on a home treadmill averages 500-900 W. Incline raises draw.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walking pad / under-desk | 250 | 4.5¢ | 3.2¢ | $0.97 | $12 |
| Walking 3 mph | 500 | 9.0¢ | 5.1¢ | $1.56 | $19 |
| Running 6 mph | 700 | 13¢ | 6.7¢ | $2.03 | $24 |
| Running uphill / sprint | 1,200 | 22¢ | 11¢ | $3.20 | $38 |
At 45 minutes a day, 4 days a week and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.47 | 8.5¢ | $2.58 | $31 |
| 2 hours | 0.87 | 16¢ | $4.76 | $57 |
| 4 hours | 1.67 | 30¢ | $9.12 | $109 |
| 8 hours | 3.26 | 59¢ | $17.84 | $214 |
| 12 hours | 4.85 | 87¢ | $26.56 | $319 |
| 24 hours | 9.63 | $1.73 | $52.74 | $633 |
Cost to run a treadmill in every state
The same treadmill costs $17 a year in North Dakota and $59 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¢ | 8.6¢ | $1.39 | $17 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 8.9¢ | $1.43 | $17 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 9.0¢ | $1.45 | $17 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 9.1¢ | $1.47 | $18 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 9.3¢ | $1.50 | $18 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 9.4¢ | $1.51 | $18 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 9.4¢ | $1.52 | $18 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 9.5¢ | $1.53 | $18 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 9.6¢ | $1.55 | $19 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 9.7¢ | $1.56 | $19 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 9.7¢ | $1.57 | $19 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 9.8¢ | $1.57 | $19 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 9.8¢ | $1.58 | $19 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 9.9¢ | $1.59 | $19 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 9.9¢ | $1.59 | $19 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 9.9¢ | $1.60 | $19 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 10¢ | $1.67 | $20 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 10¢ | $1.67 | $20 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 11¢ | $1.70 | $20 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 11¢ | $1.71 | $20 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 11¢ | $1.73 | $21 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 11¢ | $1.74 | $21 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 11¢ | $1.74 | $21 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 11¢ | $1.75 | $21 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 11¢ | $1.75 | $21 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 11¢ | $1.76 | $21 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 11¢ | $1.80 | $22 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 11¢ | $1.83 | $22 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 12¢ | $1.86 | $22 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 12¢ | $1.86 | $22 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 12¢ | $1.87 | $22 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 12¢ | $1.91 | $23 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 12¢ | $2.01 | $24 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 13¢ | $2.06 | $25 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 13¢ | $2.11 | $25 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 13¢ | $2.12 | $25 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 14¢ | $2.34 | $28 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 15¢ | $2.37 | $28 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 15¢ | $2.38 | $29 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 17¢ | $2.68 | $32 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 17¢ | $2.69 | $32 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 17¢ | $2.73 | $33 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 19¢ | $3.01 | $36 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 19¢ | $3.03 | $36 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 20¢ | $3.16 | $38 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 20¢ | $3.20 | $38 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 20¢ | $3.30 | $40 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 21¢ | $3.31 | $40 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 21¢ | $3.43 | $41 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 23¢ | $3.72 | $45 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 30¢ | $4.91 | $59 |
How to cut the cost
- Lubricate the belt every 3 months or 150 miles; a dry belt can raise motor draw 20%+.
- Unplug or switch off at the base switch after workouts to stop standby draw from the console.
- Use the incline instead of very high speeds for intensity, which keeps motor current lower.
- Run outdoors when the weather is good.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Reduces friction so the motor draws less.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treadmill | 700 | 45 minutes a day, 4 days a week | $2.03 | $24 |
| Exercise bike | 20 | 45 minutes a day, 4 days a week | $0.05 | $1 |
| Peloton bike | 100 | 45 minutes a day, 4 days a week | $0.62 | $7 |
| Rowing machine | 10 | 30 minutes a day, 4 days a week | $0.15 | $2 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a treadmill per hour?
A treadmill drawing 700 watts uses 0.70 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 13¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 8.6¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 30¢.
How much does it cost to run a treadmill per month?
At typical use (45 minutes a day, 4 days a week), a treadmill costs about $2.03 a month and $24 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 treadmill use?
Most treadmills use 250 to 1,500 watts, depending on the setting (walking pad / under-desk 250 W, walking 3 mph 500 W, running 6 mph 700 W, running uphill / sprint 1,200 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 3 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a treadmill use?
About 0.37 kWh a day and 135 kWh a year at typical use (45 minutes a day, 4 days a week).
Does a treadmill use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 135 kWh a year it's a small share (1.3%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a treadmill or an exercise bike?
At typical use, a treadmill costs about $24 a year versus $1 for an exercise bike. So the exercise bike is cheaper by about $24 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a treadmill?
- Lubricate the belt every 3 months or 150 miles; a dry belt can raise motor draw 20%+.
- Unplug or switch off at the base switch after workouts to stop standby draw from the console.
- Use the incline instead of very high speeds for intensity, which keeps motor current lower.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.