lighting · 60W typical
Running a incandescent bulb (60w) costs about $1.49/month.
That's the typical incandescent bulb (60w) at 60W, run 5 hours a day at the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh. Change any of those and the number moves — use the calculator below to see yours.
Estimated cost
Full-power draw for 5 hours at 16.5¢/kWh.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same incandescent bulb (60w) can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
evening room light
$1.49
per month
living room/kitchen evening light
bedroom lamp
$0.89
per month
reading lamp
Where you live
$2.69 spread between the cheapest and priciest states.
Same appliance, same hours of use, different zip code — the monthly cost varies this much.
| State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 41.2¢ | $3.71 | $45.11 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $2.83 | $34.38 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $2.77 | $33.73 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $2.58 | $31.43 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $2.51 | $30.55 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $2.21 | $26.94 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $2.19 | $26.61 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $2.01 | $24.42 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $1.99 | $24.20 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $1.94 | $23.54 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $1.74 | $21.13 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $1.72 | $20.91 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $1.66 | $20.15 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $1.63 | $19.82 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $1.60 | $19.49 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $1.57 | $19.05 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $1.55 | $18.83 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $1.52 | $18.51 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $1.49 | $18.18 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $1.47 | $17.85 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $1.42 | $17.30 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $1.41 | $17.19 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $1.40 | $17.08 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $1.39 | $16.86 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $1.37 | $16.64 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $1.37 | $16.64 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $1.36 | $16.53 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $1.33 | $16.21 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $1.33 | $16.21 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $1.32 | $16.10 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $1.32 | $16.10 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $1.31 | $15.99 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $1.28 | $15.55 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $1.27 | $15.44 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $1.25 | $15.22 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $1.22 | $14.89 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $1.21 | $14.67 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $1.20 | $14.56 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $1.19 | $14.45 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $1.18 | $14.34 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $1.18 | $14.34 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $1.14 | $13.91 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $1.12 | $13.58 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $1.10 | $13.36 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $1.09 | $13.25 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $1.09 | $13.25 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $1.07 | $13.03 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $1.04 | $12.70 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $1.04 | $12.59 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $1.03 | $12.48 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $1.02 | $12.37 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $0.00/year difference across the wattage range.
Swapping a high-draw model for an efficient one pays for itself. Here's what that looks like annually at typical usage.
Most efficient
60W
$1.49 per month
$18.07 per year
Typical
60W
$1.49 per month
$18.07 per year
High draw
60W
$1.49 per month
$18.07 per year
When it hits hardest
winter peak
Heavier winter use due to shorter daylight.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Replace with 9W LED equivalent — uses 85% less energy
Saves 150-250 kWh/year per bulb
- 2
Combine replacement with dimmer/smart controls
Cuts runtime another 20-30%
- 3
Use motion sensors in hallways and bathrooms
Eliminates forgotten-on time
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| GE | Rough Service 60W A19 | 60W |
| Sylvania | 60A/RS/2/CD2 | 60W |
| Satco | S3928 60W A19 | 60W |
Picks that actually move the needle
Three products worth comparing if you're thinking about upgrading or supplementing what you have.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy, we may earn a small commission — it never changes the price you pay, and we only recommend picks we would stand behind.
See also
Related appliances
Sources: www.energy.gov · www.energystar.gov
Last updated: 2026-04-13