How much does it cost to run a washing machine in Pennsylvania?
A 500-watt washing machine costs about $0.11 an hour in Pennsylvania, or about $3.16 a month at 1 hour a day.
Doesn't include heating hot water.
Pennsylvania electricity averages 21.04¢ per kWh, about 16% more than the U.S. average of 18.19¢. It ranks 37 of 51 from cheapest to most expensive.
Your cost
Cost by wattage
| Wattage | Hour | Day | Month | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (350 W) | 7¢ | 7¢ | $2.21 | $26.88 |
| Typical (500 W) | $0.11 | $0.11 | $3.16 | $38.40 |
| High (1,000 W) | $0.21 | $0.21 | $6.31 | $76.80 |
Day, month and year assume 1 hour of use a day.
Other laundry costs
| Appliance | Typical | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes dryer | 3,000 W | $18.94 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500 W | $85.21 |
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¢ | $1.85 |
| Nebraska | 12.90¢ | $1.94 |
| Idaho | 12.96¢ | $1.94 |
| Utah | 13.16¢ | $1.97 |
| Louisiana | 13.35¢ | $2.00 |
| Nevada | 13.53¢ | $2.03 |
| Oklahoma | 13.58¢ | $2.04 |
| Arkansas | 13.61¢ | $2.04 |
| Tennessee | 13.87¢ | $2.08 |
| Montana | 13.95¢ | $2.09 |
| Wyoming | 13.95¢ | $2.09 |
| Missouri | 13.96¢ | $2.09 |
| Iowa | 14.20¢ | $2.13 |
| Kentucky | 14.27¢ | $2.14 |
| Washington | 14.40¢ | $2.16 |
| South Dakota | 14.50¢ | $2.17 |
| North Carolina | 14.94¢ | $2.24 |
| New Mexico | 15.08¢ | $2.26 |
| Mississippi | 15.19¢ | $2.28 |
| Kansas | 15.21¢ | $2.28 |
| Florida | 15.30¢ | $2.29 |
| Georgia | 15.40¢ | $2.31 |
| Oregon | 15.40¢ | $2.31 |
| Arizona | 15.44¢ | $2.32 |
| West Virginia | 15.47¢ | $2.32 |
| South Carolina | 15.93¢ | $2.39 |
| Texas | 16.06¢ | $2.41 |
| Minnesota | 16.25¢ | $2.44 |
| Alabama | 16.54¢ | $2.48 |
| Colorado | 16.72¢ | $2.51 |
| Virginia | 16.83¢ | $2.52 |
| Indiana | 17.04¢ | $2.56 |
| Delaware | 17.86¢ | $2.68 |
| Ohio | 18.70¢ | $2.81 |
| Wisconsin | 19.00¢ | $2.85 |
| Illinois | 19.22¢ | $2.88 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.04¢ | $3.16 |
| Maryland | 21.30¢ | $3.19 |
| Michigan | 21.53¢ | $3.23 |
| Vermont | 23.95¢ | $3.59 |
| New Jersey | 23.98¢ | $3.60 |
| District of Columbia | 24.66¢ | $3.70 |
| New Hampshire | 26.79¢ | $4.02 |
| Alaska | 27.09¢ | $4.06 |
| Connecticut | 27.97¢ | $4.20 |
| Rhode Island | 29.22¢ | $4.38 |
| New York | 29.38¢ | $4.41 |
| Maine | 29.99¢ | $4.50 |
| Massachusetts | 30.14¢ | $4.52 |
| California | 33.25¢ | $4.99 |
| Hawaii | 46.28¢ | $6.94 |
At 500 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.