How much does it cost to run a computer monitor?
EIA data · June 2026About $1.34 a month at the U.S. average price of 18.34¢ per kilowatt-hour — but that figure moves a long way depending on where you live. Set your state below.
7.3 kWh a month at the U.S. average, 18.34¢/kWh for June 2026. Excludes fixed charges, taxes and time-of-use rates, which vary by utility and are on your bill.
Typical 15–100 W. Use the figure on your own label if you have it.
A computer monitor sits mid-table at #60 of 88, which means something else in the house costs more. See whether electronics or something else drives your bill.
This figure covers the hours it is switched on. What it costs while you are not using it.
How many watts a computer monitor uses
A 24-inch LED monitor draws roughly 20–30 W at normal brightness. A 27-inch draws about 30–45 W, and large or high-refresh-rate displays reach 100 W.
- Low
- 15 W
- Typical
- 30 W
- High
- 100 W
What it costs across the country
Same appliance, same usage, different electricity price. Annual cost at 30 W and the default usage above.
| State | ¢/kWh | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 52.72 | $46.18 |
| California | 34.74 | $30.43 |
| Massachusetts | 29.61 | $25.94 |
| New York | 29.49 | $25.83 |
| Ohio | 19.19 | $16.81 |
| Texas | 15.94 | $13.96 |
| Florida | 15.10 | $13.23 |
| Utah | 13.37 | $11.71 |
| Nebraska | 13.25 | $11.61 |
| Nevada | 13.11 | $11.48 |
Worth knowing
- Brightness dominates. Dropping from full to about 70% typically cuts monitor draw by a quarter with no practical loss.
- Two monitors cost twice as much to run as one, which is the most reliably overlooked part of a desk setup.
- Monitor standby is well under 1 W, so switching off at the wall saves almost nothing compared with simply letting it sleep.
Other appliances
Prices are statewide residential averages for June 2026 from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. They exclude fixed monthly charges, taxes and time-of-use rates. See how these figures are calculated.