lighting · 10W typical
Running a table lamp costs about $0.05/month.
That's the typical table lamp at 10W, run 1 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 1 hours at 16.5¢/kWh.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same table lamp can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
bedside reading
$0.05
per month
bedtime use
desk task light
$0.30
per month
work hours
Where you live
$0.09 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¢ | $0.12 | $1.50 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $0.09 | $1.15 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $0.09 | $1.12 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $0.09 | $1.05 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $0.08 | $1.02 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $0.07 | $0.90 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $0.07 | $0.89 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $0.07 | $0.81 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $0.07 | $0.81 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $0.06 | $0.78 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $0.06 | $0.70 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $0.06 | $0.70 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $0.06 | $0.67 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $0.05 | $0.66 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $0.05 | $0.65 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $0.05 | $0.64 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $0.05 | $0.63 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $0.05 | $0.62 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $0.05 | $0.61 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $0.05 | $0.59 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $0.05 | $0.58 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $0.05 | $0.57 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $0.05 | $0.57 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $0.05 | $0.56 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $0.05 | $0.55 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $0.05 | $0.55 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $0.05 | $0.55 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $0.04 | $0.54 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $0.04 | $0.54 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $0.04 | $0.54 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $0.04 | $0.54 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $0.04 | $0.53 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $0.04 | $0.52 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $0.04 | $0.51 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $0.04 | $0.51 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $0.04 | $0.50 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $0.04 | $0.49 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $0.04 | $0.49 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $0.04 | $0.48 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $0.04 | $0.48 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $0.04 | $0.48 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $0.04 | $0.46 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $0.04 | $0.45 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $0.04 | $0.45 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $0.04 | $0.44 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $0.04 | $0.44 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $0.04 | $0.43 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $0.03 | $0.42 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $0.03 | $0.42 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $0.03 | $0.42 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $0.03 | $0.41 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $3.31/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
5W
$0.02 per month
$0.30 per year
Typical
10W
$0.05 per month
$0.60 per year
High draw
60W
$0.30 per month
$3.61 per year
When it hits hardest
winter peak
Heavier evening use when dark.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Swap any remaining incandescent bulbs — a 60W bulb in a 6-hr bedside lamp is 131 kWh/year
LED drops it to ~20 kWh/year
- 2
Use a dimmer or smart bulb with schedule
Cuts runtime 30-50%
- 3
Choose warm low-watt LEDs for nighttime — better sleep hygiene too
Comfort benefit with no extra cost
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Target Threshold | Modern Arc | 9W |
| Ikea | HEKTAR | 9W |
| Philips Hue | Go Portable | 6W |
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