laundry · 500W typical
Running a washing machine (top load) costs about $1.24/month.
That's the typical washing machine (top load) at 500W, 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
A washing machine (top load) draws full power only while the thermostat/compressor is running — about 0.5 effective hours at 500W across your 1-hour window.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same washing machine (top load) can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
family load
$1.24
per month
one load per day averaged
couple's weekly
$0.37
per month
2-3 loads per week
heavy laundry
$2.48
per month
multiple loads on laundry day
Where you live
$2.24 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¢ | $3.09 | $37.60 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $2.36 | $28.65 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $2.31 | $28.11 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $2.15 | $26.19 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $2.09 | $25.46 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $1.85 | $22.45 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $1.82 | $22.17 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $1.67 | $20.35 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $1.66 | $20.17 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $1.61 | $19.62 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $1.45 | $17.61 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $1.43 | $17.43 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $1.38 | $16.79 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $1.36 | $16.52 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $1.34 | $16.24 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $1.31 | $15.88 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $1.29 | $15.69 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $1.27 | $15.42 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $1.25 | $15.15 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $1.22 | $14.87 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $1.19 | $14.42 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $1.18 | $14.33 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $1.17 | $14.24 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $1.16 | $14.05 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $1.14 | $13.87 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $1.14 | $13.87 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $1.13 | $13.78 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $1.11 | $13.51 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $1.11 | $13.51 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $1.10 | $13.41 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $1.10 | $13.41 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $1.10 | $13.32 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $1.07 | $12.96 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $1.06 | $12.87 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $1.04 | $12.68 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $1.02 | $12.41 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $1.01 | $12.23 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $1.00 | $12.14 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $0.99 | $12.05 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $0.98 | $11.95 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $0.98 | $11.95 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $0.95 | $11.59 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $0.93 | $11.32 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $0.92 | $11.13 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $0.91 | $11.04 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $0.91 | $11.04 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $0.89 | $10.86 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $0.87 | $10.58 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $0.86 | $10.49 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $0.86 | $10.40 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $0.85 | $10.31 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $37.58/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
152W
$0.38 per month
$4.58 per year
Typical
500W
$1.24 per month
$15.06 per year
High draw
1400W
$3.47 per month
$42.16 per year
When it hits hardest
year-round peak
Consistent daily use.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Wash in cold water — 90% of a load's energy goes to water heating
Saves 200-400 kWh/year
- 2
Run full loads — partial loads waste water and energy
Cuts total washer use 30-40%
- 3
Upgrade to HE front-loader at replacement time
Front-loaders use 40-50% less water and energy
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Whirlpool | WTW5105HW Top Load | 500W |
| LG | WT7300CW HE Top Load | 350W |
| Samsung | WA50R5400AV Top Load | 600W |
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.energystar.gov · www.energy.gov
Last updated: 2026-04-13