How much does it cost to run a microwave in Illinois?
A 1,100-watt microwave costs about $0.21 an hour in Illinois, or about $1.59 a month at 15 minutes a day.
Illinois electricity averages 19.22¢ per kWh, about 6% more than the U.S. average of 18.19¢. It ranks 36 of 51 from cheapest to most expensive.
Your cost
Cost by wattage
| Wattage | Hour | Day | Month | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (600 W) | $0.12 | 3¢ | $0.86 | $10.52 |
| Typical (1,100 W) | $0.21 | 5¢ | $1.59 | $19.29 |
| High (1,500 W) | $0.29 | 7¢ | $2.16 | $26.31 |
Day, month and year assume 15 minutes of use a day.
Other kitchen costs
| Appliance | Typical | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Air fryer | 1,500 W | $4.32 |
| Electric oven | 3,000 W | $17.30 |
| Slow cooker | 200 W | $9.23 |
| Instant Pot (electric pressure cooker) | 1,000 W | $2.88 |
| Coffee maker | 1,000 W | $1.44 |
| Refrigerator | 60 W | $8.30 |
| Chest freezer | 40 W | $5.54 |
| Dishwasher | 1,800 W | $10.38 |
Ways to spend less
- Small appliances like air fryers and slow cookers usually cost less than heating a full oven for small meals.
- Keep fridge and freezer doors closed and seals clean so the compressor runs less.
Monthly cost in every state
| State | Rate | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.36¢ | $1.02 |
| Nebraska | 12.90¢ | $1.06 |
| Idaho | 12.96¢ | $1.07 |
| Utah | 13.16¢ | $1.09 |
| Louisiana | 13.35¢ | $1.10 |
| Nevada | 13.53¢ | $1.12 |
| Oklahoma | 13.58¢ | $1.12 |
| Arkansas | 13.61¢ | $1.12 |
| Tennessee | 13.87¢ | $1.14 |
| Montana | 13.95¢ | $1.15 |
| Wyoming | 13.95¢ | $1.15 |
| Missouri | 13.96¢ | $1.15 |
| Iowa | 14.20¢ | $1.17 |
| Kentucky | 14.27¢ | $1.18 |
| Washington | 14.40¢ | $1.19 |
| South Dakota | 14.50¢ | $1.20 |
| North Carolina | 14.94¢ | $1.23 |
| New Mexico | 15.08¢ | $1.24 |
| Mississippi | 15.19¢ | $1.25 |
| Kansas | 15.21¢ | $1.25 |
| Florida | 15.30¢ | $1.26 |
| Georgia | 15.40¢ | $1.27 |
| Oregon | 15.40¢ | $1.27 |
| Arizona | 15.44¢ | $1.27 |
| West Virginia | 15.47¢ | $1.28 |
| South Carolina | 15.93¢ | $1.31 |
| Texas | 16.06¢ | $1.32 |
| Minnesota | 16.25¢ | $1.34 |
| Alabama | 16.54¢ | $1.36 |
| Colorado | 16.72¢ | $1.38 |
| Virginia | 16.83¢ | $1.39 |
| Indiana | 17.04¢ | $1.41 |
| Delaware | 17.86¢ | $1.47 |
| Ohio | 18.70¢ | $1.54 |
| Wisconsin | 19.00¢ | $1.57 |
| Illinois | 19.22¢ | $1.59 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.04¢ | $1.74 |
| Maryland | 21.30¢ | $1.76 |
| Michigan | 21.53¢ | $1.78 |
| Vermont | 23.95¢ | $1.98 |
| New Jersey | 23.98¢ | $1.98 |
| District of Columbia | 24.66¢ | $2.03 |
| New Hampshire | 26.79¢ | $2.21 |
| Alaska | 27.09¢ | $2.23 |
| Connecticut | 27.97¢ | $2.31 |
| Rhode Island | 29.22¢ | $2.41 |
| New York | 29.38¢ | $2.42 |
| Maine | 29.99¢ | $2.47 |
| Massachusetts | 30.14¢ | $2.49 |
| California | 33.25¢ | $2.74 |
| Hawaii | 46.28¢ | $3.82 |
At 1,100 watts for 15 minutes 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.