How much does it cost to run a central air conditioner?
A 3,500-watt central air conditioner costs about $0.64 an hour in the U.S. on average, or about $153 a month at 8 hours a day.
Watts shown are while the compressor runs.
Your cost
Cost by wattage
| Wattage | Hour | Day | Month | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (2,000 W) | $0.36 | $2.91 | $87.31 | $1,062 |
| Typical (3,500 W) | $0.64 | $5.09 | $153 | $1,859 |
| High (5,000 W) | $0.91 | $7.28 | $218 | $2,656 |
Day, month and year assume 8 hours of use a day.
Other cooling costs
| Appliance | Typical | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Window air conditioner | 900 W | $39.29 |
| Ceiling fan | 50 W | $2.18 |
Ways to spend less
- Each degree warmer on the thermostat trims cooling cost.
- A ceiling fan lets you set the AC a few degrees higher and feel the same.
Monthly cost in every state
| State | Rate | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.36¢ | $104 |
| Nebraska | 12.90¢ | $108 |
| Idaho | 12.96¢ | $109 |
| Utah | 13.16¢ | $111 |
| Louisiana | 13.35¢ | $112 |
| Nevada | 13.53¢ | $114 |
| Oklahoma | 13.58¢ | $114 |
| Arkansas | 13.61¢ | $114 |
| Tennessee | 13.87¢ | $117 |
| Montana | 13.95¢ | $117 |
| Wyoming | 13.95¢ | $117 |
| Missouri | 13.96¢ | $117 |
| Iowa | 14.20¢ | $119 |
| Kentucky | 14.27¢ | $120 |
| Washington | 14.40¢ | $121 |
| South Dakota | 14.50¢ | $122 |
| North Carolina | 14.94¢ | $125 |
| New Mexico | 15.08¢ | $127 |
| Mississippi | 15.19¢ | $128 |
| Kansas | 15.21¢ | $128 |
| Florida | 15.30¢ | $129 |
| Georgia | 15.40¢ | $129 |
| Oregon | 15.40¢ | $129 |
| Arizona | 15.44¢ | $130 |
| West Virginia | 15.47¢ | $130 |
| South Carolina | 15.93¢ | $134 |
| Texas | 16.06¢ | $135 |
| Minnesota | 16.25¢ | $136 |
| Alabama | 16.54¢ | $139 |
| Colorado | 16.72¢ | $140 |
| Virginia | 16.83¢ | $141 |
| Indiana | 17.04¢ | $143 |
| Delaware | 17.86¢ | $150 |
| Ohio | 18.70¢ | $157 |
| Wisconsin | 19.00¢ | $160 |
| Illinois | 19.22¢ | $161 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.04¢ | $177 |
| Maryland | 21.30¢ | $179 |
| Michigan | 21.53¢ | $181 |
| Vermont | 23.95¢ | $201 |
| New Jersey | 23.98¢ | $201 |
| District of Columbia | 24.66¢ | $207 |
| New Hampshire | 26.79¢ | $225 |
| Alaska | 27.09¢ | $228 |
| Connecticut | 27.97¢ | $235 |
| Rhode Island | 29.22¢ | $245 |
| New York | 29.38¢ | $247 |
| Maine | 29.99¢ | $252 |
| Massachusetts | 30.14¢ | $253 |
| California | 33.25¢ | $279 |
| Hawaii | 46.28¢ | $389 |
At 3,500 watts for 8 hours a day, 30 days a month. Rates are average residential prices from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, January–July 2026 (EIA Electric Power Monthly). Your bill's rate may differ, so enter your own in the calculator.