How much does it cost to run a clothes dryer?
A 3,000-watt clothes dryer costs about $0.55 an hour in the U.S. on average, or about $16.37 a month at 1 hour a day.
Your cost
Cost by wattage
| Wattage | Hour | Day | Month | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (1,800 W) | $0.33 | $0.33 | $9.82 | $120 |
| Typical (3,000 W) | $0.55 | $0.55 | $16.37 | $199 |
| High (5,000 W) | $0.91 | $0.91 | $27.29 | $332 |
Day, month and year assume 1 hour of use a day.
Other laundry costs
| Appliance | Typical | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Washing machine | 500 W | $2.73 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500 W | $73.67 |
Ways to spend less
- Run full loads, and wash in cold water: most of a washer's energy cost is heating water.
- Clean the dryer lint filter every load; a clogged filter makes the dryer run longer.
Monthly cost in every state
| State | Rate | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.36¢ | $11.12 |
| Nebraska | 12.90¢ | $11.61 |
| Idaho | 12.96¢ | $11.66 |
| Utah | 13.16¢ | $11.84 |
| Louisiana | 13.35¢ | $12.02 |
| Nevada | 13.53¢ | $12.18 |
| Oklahoma | 13.58¢ | $12.22 |
| Arkansas | 13.61¢ | $12.25 |
| Tennessee | 13.87¢ | $12.48 |
| Montana | 13.95¢ | $12.55 |
| Wyoming | 13.95¢ | $12.55 |
| Missouri | 13.96¢ | $12.56 |
| Iowa | 14.20¢ | $12.78 |
| Kentucky | 14.27¢ | $12.84 |
| Washington | 14.40¢ | $12.96 |
| South Dakota | 14.50¢ | $13.05 |
| North Carolina | 14.94¢ | $13.45 |
| New Mexico | 15.08¢ | $13.57 |
| Mississippi | 15.19¢ | $13.67 |
| Kansas | 15.21¢ | $13.69 |
| Florida | 15.30¢ | $13.77 |
| Georgia | 15.40¢ | $13.86 |
| Oregon | 15.40¢ | $13.86 |
| Arizona | 15.44¢ | $13.90 |
| West Virginia | 15.47¢ | $13.92 |
| South Carolina | 15.93¢ | $14.34 |
| Texas | 16.06¢ | $14.45 |
| Minnesota | 16.25¢ | $14.63 |
| Alabama | 16.54¢ | $14.89 |
| Colorado | 16.72¢ | $15.05 |
| Virginia | 16.83¢ | $15.15 |
| Indiana | 17.04¢ | $15.34 |
| Delaware | 17.86¢ | $16.07 |
| Ohio | 18.70¢ | $16.83 |
| Wisconsin | 19.00¢ | $17.10 |
| Illinois | 19.22¢ | $17.30 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.04¢ | $18.94 |
| Maryland | 21.30¢ | $19.17 |
| Michigan | 21.53¢ | $19.38 |
| Vermont | 23.95¢ | $21.55 |
| New Jersey | 23.98¢ | $21.58 |
| District of Columbia | 24.66¢ | $22.19 |
| New Hampshire | 26.79¢ | $24.11 |
| Alaska | 27.09¢ | $24.38 |
| Connecticut | 27.97¢ | $25.17 |
| Rhode Island | 29.22¢ | $26.30 |
| New York | 29.38¢ | $26.44 |
| Maine | 29.99¢ | $26.99 |
| Massachusetts | 30.14¢ | $27.13 |
| California | 33.25¢ | $29.93 |
| Hawaii | 46.28¢ | $41.65 |
At 3,000 watts for 1 hour 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.