Cost to Run Washing Machine in California (2026)
At California's average rate of 31.22¢/kWh, running a Washing Machine costs $4.68/month or $56.98/year. That's 81.3% more than the national average of $2.58/month.
Monthly Cost
$4.68
in California
Yearly Cost
$56.98
in California
State Rate
31.22¢
per kWh
National Rank
#49
of 50 states
Washing Machine Energy Usage
| Wattage | 500 watts |
| Typical Daily Use | 1 hours/day |
| Daily kWh | 0.50 kWh |
| Monthly kWh | 15.0 kWh |
| Category | Laundry |
California vs National Average: Washing Machine Costs
| Metric | California | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity Rate | 31.22¢/kWh | 17.22¢/kWh | +14.00¢ |
| Monthly Washing Machine Cost | $4.68 | $2.58 | +$2.10 |
| Yearly Washing Machine Cost | $56.98 | $31.43 | +$25.55 |
Washing Machine Cost in Neighboring States
How does running a Washing Machine in California compare to nearby states?
Washing Machine Cost: All 50 States Ranked
California ranks #49 out of 50 for Washing Machine running costs (1 = cheapest).
| # | State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho | 11.15¢ | $1.67 | $20.35 |
| 2 | Washington | 11.26¢ | $1.69 | $20.55 |
| 3 | Utah | 11.41¢ | $1.71 | $20.82 |
| 4 | Wyoming | 11.72¢ | $1.76 | $21.39 |
| 5 | North Dakota | 12.43¢ | $1.86 | $22.68 |
| 6 | Louisiana | 12.52¢ | $1.88 | $22.85 |
| 7 | Oregon | 12.55¢ | $1.88 | $22.90 |
| 8 | Montana | 12.81¢ | $1.92 | $23.38 |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 12.82¢ | $1.92 | $23.40 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 12.91¢ | $1.94 | $23.56 |
| 11 | Arkansas | 13.04¢ | $1.96 | $23.80 |
| 12 | Nebraska | 13.08¢ | $1.96 | $23.87 |
| 13 | Kentucky | 13.19¢ | $1.98 | $24.07 |
| 14 | West Virginia | 13.44¢ | $2.02 | $24.53 |
| 15 | Mississippi | 13.54¢ | $2.03 | $24.71 |
| 16 | South Dakota | 13.74¢ | $2.06 | $25.08 |
| 17 | Missouri | 13.78¢ | $2.07 | $25.15 |
| 18 | North Carolina | 14.09¢ | $2.11 | $25.71 |
| 19 | Georgia | 14.27¢ | $2.14 | $26.04 |
| 20 | South Carolina | 14.43¢ | $2.16 | $26.33 |
| 21 | Virginia | 14.64¢ | $2.20 | $26.72 |
| 22 | Arizona | 14.78¢ | $2.22 | $26.97 |
| 23 | Alabama | 14.87¢ | $2.23 | $27.14 |
| 24 | Nevada | 14.92¢ | $2.24 | $27.23 |
| 25 | Delaware | 14.94¢ | $2.24 | $27.27 |
| 26 | Texas | 15.06¢ | $2.26 | $27.48 |
| 27 | Iowa | 15.14¢ | $2.27 | $27.63 |
| 28 | Ohio | 15.21¢ | $2.28 | $27.76 |
| 29 | Kansas | 15.28¢ | $2.29 | $27.89 |
| 30 | New Mexico | 15.34¢ | $2.30 | $28.00 |
| 31 | Indiana | 15.42¢ | $2.31 | $28.14 |
| 32 | Colorado | 15.56¢ | $2.33 | $28.40 |
| 33 | Minnesota | 15.63¢ | $2.34 | $28.52 |
| 34 | Florida | 16.22¢ | $2.43 | $29.60 |
| 35 | Illinois | 16.27¢ | $2.44 | $29.69 |
| 36 | Maryland | 16.57¢ | $2.49 | $30.24 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | 17.38¢ | $2.61 | $31.72 |
| 38 | Pennsylvania | 18.36¢ | $2.75 | $33.51 |
| 39 | New Jersey | 18.48¢ | $2.77 | $33.73 |
| 40 | Michigan | 19.34¢ | $2.90 | $35.30 |
| 41 | Vermont | 21.43¢ | $3.21 | $39.11 |
| 42 | Alaska | 24.21¢ | $3.63 | $44.18 |
| 43 | New York | 24.33¢ | $3.65 | $44.40 |
| 44 | New Hampshire | 25.78¢ | $3.87 | $47.05 |
| 45 | Maine | 26.37¢ | $3.96 | $48.13 |
| 46 | Rhode Island | 28.08¢ | $4.21 | $51.25 |
| 47 | Massachusetts | 28.58¢ | $4.29 | $52.16 |
| 48 | Connecticut | 29.98¢ | $4.50 | $54.71 |
| 49 | California | 31.22¢ | $4.68 | $56.98 |
| 50 | Hawaii | 43.18¢ | $6.48 | $78.80 |
Save Money on Washing Machine in California
- Wash with cold water when using your Washing Machine to save 80-90% of energy per load.
- Always run full loads in your Washing Machine to maximize efficiency.
- Clean lint filters and vents regularly for optimal performance.
- Consider air-drying clothes when weather permits to cut dryer costs entirely.
- Look for Energy Star certified Washing Machine models that use 10-50% less energy than standard models.
- Consider installing solar panels in California to offset your Washing Machine electricity costs.
- Check if your California utility offers time-of-use rates and run your Washing Machine during off-peak hours.
- Ensure proper maintenance of your Washing Machine to keep it running at peak efficiency.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to run a Washing Machine in California?
Running a Washing Machine in California costs approximately $4.68 per month or $56.98 per year, based on the state's average residential rate of 31.22¢/kWh and typical usage of 1 hours per day.
Is running a Washing Machine expensive in California compared to other states?
California ranks #49 out of 50 states for Washing Machine running costs (1 = cheapest). It's 81.3% more expensive than the national average. The cheapest state is Idaho at $1.67/month, and the most expensive is Hawaii at $6.48/month.
How much electricity does a Washing Machine use per month?
A typical Washing Machine uses 500 watts and runs about 1 hours per day, consuming approximately 0.50 kWh daily or 15.0 kWh per month.
How can I reduce Washing Machine electricity costs in California?
You can reduce costs by using an Energy Star rated Washing Machine, 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.
Was this data helpful?
Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)