Cost to Run Laptop in California (2026)
At California's average rate of 31.22¢/kWh, running a Laptop costs $3.75/month or $45.58/year. That's 81.3% more than the national average of $2.07/month.
Monthly Cost
$3.75
in California
Yearly Cost
$45.58
in California
State Rate
31.22¢
per kWh
National Rank
#49
of 50 states
Laptop Energy Usage
| Wattage | 50 watts |
| Typical Daily Use | 8 hours/day |
| Daily kWh | 0.40 kWh |
| Monthly kWh | 12.0 kWh |
| Category | Electronics |
California vs National Average: Laptop Costs
| Metric | California | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity Rate | 31.22¢/kWh | 17.22¢/kWh | +14.00¢ |
| Monthly Laptop Cost | $3.75 | $2.07 | +$1.68 |
| Yearly Laptop Cost | $45.58 | $25.14 | +$20.44 |
Laptop Cost in Neighboring States
How does running a Laptop in California compare to nearby states?
Laptop Cost: All 50 States Ranked
California ranks #49 out of 50 for Laptop running costs (1 = cheapest).
| # | State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho | 11.15¢ | $1.34 | $16.28 |
| 2 | Washington | 11.26¢ | $1.35 | $16.44 |
| 3 | Utah | 11.41¢ | $1.37 | $16.66 |
| 4 | Wyoming | 11.72¢ | $1.41 | $17.11 |
| 5 | North Dakota | 12.43¢ | $1.49 | $18.15 |
| 6 | Louisiana | 12.52¢ | $1.50 | $18.28 |
| 7 | Oregon | 12.55¢ | $1.51 | $18.32 |
| 8 | Montana | 12.81¢ | $1.54 | $18.70 |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 12.82¢ | $1.54 | $18.72 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 12.91¢ | $1.55 | $18.85 |
| 11 | Arkansas | 13.04¢ | $1.56 | $19.04 |
| 12 | Nebraska | 13.08¢ | $1.57 | $19.10 |
| 13 | Kentucky | 13.19¢ | $1.58 | $19.26 |
| 14 | West Virginia | 13.44¢ | $1.61 | $19.62 |
| 15 | Mississippi | 13.54¢ | $1.62 | $19.77 |
| 16 | South Dakota | 13.74¢ | $1.65 | $20.06 |
| 17 | Missouri | 13.78¢ | $1.65 | $20.12 |
| 18 | North Carolina | 14.09¢ | $1.69 | $20.57 |
| 19 | Georgia | 14.27¢ | $1.71 | $20.83 |
| 20 | South Carolina | 14.43¢ | $1.73 | $21.07 |
| 21 | Virginia | 14.64¢ | $1.76 | $21.37 |
| 22 | Arizona | 14.78¢ | $1.77 | $21.58 |
| 23 | Alabama | 14.87¢ | $1.78 | $21.71 |
| 24 | Nevada | 14.92¢ | $1.79 | $21.78 |
| 25 | Delaware | 14.94¢ | $1.79 | $21.81 |
| 26 | Texas | 15.06¢ | $1.81 | $21.99 |
| 27 | Iowa | 15.14¢ | $1.82 | $22.10 |
| 28 | Ohio | 15.21¢ | $1.83 | $22.21 |
| 29 | Kansas | 15.28¢ | $1.83 | $22.31 |
| 30 | New Mexico | 15.34¢ | $1.84 | $22.40 |
| 31 | Indiana | 15.42¢ | $1.85 | $22.51 |
| 32 | Colorado | 15.56¢ | $1.87 | $22.72 |
| 33 | Minnesota | 15.63¢ | $1.88 | $22.82 |
| 34 | Florida | 16.22¢ | $1.95 | $23.68 |
| 35 | Illinois | 16.27¢ | $1.95 | $23.75 |
| 36 | Maryland | 16.57¢ | $1.99 | $24.19 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | 17.38¢ | $2.09 | $25.37 |
| 38 | Pennsylvania | 18.36¢ | $2.20 | $26.81 |
| 39 | New Jersey | 18.48¢ | $2.22 | $26.98 |
| 40 | Michigan | 19.34¢ | $2.32 | $28.24 |
| 41 | Vermont | 21.43¢ | $2.57 | $31.29 |
| 42 | Alaska | 24.21¢ | $2.91 | $35.35 |
| 43 | New York | 24.33¢ | $2.92 | $35.52 |
| 44 | New Hampshire | 25.78¢ | $3.09 | $37.64 |
| 45 | Maine | 26.37¢ | $3.16 | $38.50 |
| 46 | Rhode Island | 28.08¢ | $3.37 | $41.00 |
| 47 | Massachusetts | 28.58¢ | $3.43 | $41.73 |
| 48 | Connecticut | 29.98¢ | $3.60 | $43.77 |
| 49 | California | 31.22¢ | $3.75 | $45.58 |
| 50 | Hawaii | 43.18¢ | $5.18 | $63.04 |
Save Money on Laptop in California
- Use a smart power strip with your Laptop to eliminate phantom power draw.
- Enable power-saving modes on your Laptop to reduce consumption by up to 30%.
- Unplug your Laptop when not in use, especially during extended absences.
- Adjust screen brightness settings to reduce power consumption.
- Look for Energy Star certified Laptop models that use 10-50% less energy than standard models.
- Consider installing solar panels in California to offset your Laptop electricity costs.
- Check if your California utility offers time-of-use rates and run your Laptop during off-peak hours.
- Ensure proper maintenance of your Laptop to keep it running at peak efficiency.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to run a Laptop in California?
Running a Laptop in California costs approximately $3.75 per month or $45.58 per year, based on the state's average residential rate of 31.22¢/kWh and typical usage of 8 hours per day.
Is running a Laptop expensive in California compared to other states?
California ranks #49 out of 50 states for Laptop running costs (1 = cheapest). It's 81.3% more expensive than the national average. The cheapest state is Idaho at $1.34/month, and the most expensive is Hawaii at $5.18/month.
How much electricity does a Laptop use per month?
A typical Laptop uses 50 watts and runs about 8 hours per day, consuming approximately 0.40 kWh daily or 12.0 kWh per month.
How can I reduce Laptop electricity costs in California?
You can reduce costs by using an Energy Star rated Laptop, running it during off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use rates, ensuring proper maintenance, and considering solar panels to offset electricity costs in California.
What is the electricity rate in California?
The average residential electricity rate in California is 31.22¢ per kWh. The primary energy source is Natural Gas, with 38.0% from renewable sources.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)