Electricity Cost Calculator
Calculate your electricity costs by appliance. Add devices from a preset library or enter custom wattages, see per-appliance and total monthly/annual costs, visualize which appliances cost the most, and compare EV charging costs vs gasoline.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your electricity rate (check your utility bill — US average is ~$0.16/kWh)
- Add appliances from the preset library or enter custom wattages
- Set hours of daily use for each appliance
- Click Calculate to see per-appliance and total costs
- Try the EV Charging tab to compare EV charging costs vs gasoline
Your Electricity Rate
Add Appliances
⚡ Understanding Your Electricity Bill
Electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kWh = using 1,000 watts for 1 hour. Your bill = total kWh used × rate per kWh. The US average residential rate is approximately $0.16/kWh, but rates vary widely by state ($0.10 in Louisiana to $0.36+ in Hawaii).
💡 Top Energy-Saving Tips
- Switch to LED bulbs: Uses 75% less energy than incandescent
- Use smart power strips: Eliminates phantom/standby power draw
- Set AC to 78°F (summer): Each degree lower adds ~3% to cooling costs
- Run full loads: Full dishwasher/washer loads are far more efficient per item
- Air-dry clothes: Dryers are one of the biggest energy hogs at home
🔌 EV Charging vs Gasoline
At the US average electricity rate of $0.16/kWh, charging a typical EV (60 kWh battery, 3.5 mi/kWh efficiency) costs about $0.046/mile — compared to $0.12-0.16/mile for a gasoline car at $3.50/gallon. That's roughly 60-70% savings on fuel costs alone.
🔗 Save & Share Your Calculation
Your inputs are automatically saved in the URL. You can bookmark this page to save your calculation, or use the Share button to send it to others.