How much does it cost to run a humidifier in California?
A 100-watt humidifier costs about 3¢ an hour in California, or about $9.98 a month at 10 hours a day.
Ultrasonic models use 30 to 50 watts; warm-mist models use several hundred.
California electricity averages 33.25¢ per kWh, about 83% more than the U.S. average of 18.19¢. It ranks 50 of 51 from cheapest to most expensive.
Your cost
Cost by wattage
| Wattage | Hour | Day | Month | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (30 W) | 1¢ | $0.10 | $2.99 | $36.41 |
| Typical (100 W) | 3¢ | $0.33 | $9.98 | $121 |
| High (500 W) | $0.17 | $1.66 | $49.88 | $607 |
Day, month and year assume 10 hours of use a day.
Other home costs
| Appliance | Typical | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Hot tub | 250 W | $59.85 |
| Dehumidifier | 500 W | $59.85 |
| Sump pump | 800 W | $7.98 |
Ways to spend less
- Run humidity and water equipment only as much as the room needs; a humidistat or timer helps.
- Keep covers and lids on (hot tubs especially) to cut heat loss.
Monthly cost in every state
| State | Rate | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.36¢ | $3.71 |
| Nebraska | 12.90¢ | $3.87 |
| Idaho | 12.96¢ | $3.89 |
| Utah | 13.16¢ | $3.95 |
| Louisiana | 13.35¢ | $4.00 |
| Nevada | 13.53¢ | $4.06 |
| Oklahoma | 13.58¢ | $4.07 |
| Arkansas | 13.61¢ | $4.08 |
| Tennessee | 13.87¢ | $4.16 |
| Montana | 13.95¢ | $4.18 |
| Wyoming | 13.95¢ | $4.18 |
| Missouri | 13.96¢ | $4.19 |
| Iowa | 14.20¢ | $4.26 |
| Kentucky | 14.27¢ | $4.28 |
| Washington | 14.40¢ | $4.32 |
| South Dakota | 14.50¢ | $4.35 |
| North Carolina | 14.94¢ | $4.48 |
| New Mexico | 15.08¢ | $4.52 |
| Mississippi | 15.19¢ | $4.56 |
| Kansas | 15.21¢ | $4.56 |
| Florida | 15.30¢ | $4.59 |
| Georgia | 15.40¢ | $4.62 |
| Oregon | 15.40¢ | $4.62 |
| Arizona | 15.44¢ | $4.63 |
| West Virginia | 15.47¢ | $4.64 |
| South Carolina | 15.93¢ | $4.78 |
| Texas | 16.06¢ | $4.82 |
| Minnesota | 16.25¢ | $4.88 |
| Alabama | 16.54¢ | $4.96 |
| Colorado | 16.72¢ | $5.02 |
| Virginia | 16.83¢ | $5.05 |
| Indiana | 17.04¢ | $5.11 |
| Delaware | 17.86¢ | $5.36 |
| Ohio | 18.70¢ | $5.61 |
| Wisconsin | 19.00¢ | $5.70 |
| Illinois | 19.22¢ | $5.77 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.04¢ | $6.31 |
| Maryland | 21.30¢ | $6.39 |
| Michigan | 21.53¢ | $6.46 |
| Vermont | 23.95¢ | $7.18 |
| New Jersey | 23.98¢ | $7.19 |
| District of Columbia | 24.66¢ | $7.40 |
| New Hampshire | 26.79¢ | $8.04 |
| Alaska | 27.09¢ | $8.13 |
| Connecticut | 27.97¢ | $8.39 |
| Rhode Island | 29.22¢ | $8.77 |
| New York | 29.38¢ | $8.81 |
| Maine | 29.99¢ | $9.00 |
| Massachusetts | 30.14¢ | $9.04 |
| California | 33.25¢ | $9.98 |
| Hawaii | 46.28¢ | $13.88 |
At 100 watts for 10 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.