🚗 Outdoor, Garage & EV
How Much Does a Air Compressor Cost to Run?
At the current U.S. average rate of 18.4¢/kWh (May 2026), a air compressor costs about $4.20 per month at typical usage — 0.5 hours/day.
Per hour
$0.28
at 1,000–2,200 W
Per day
$0.14
0.5 hours/day
Per month
$4.20
23 kWh
Per year
$50.37
274 kWh
Garage compressors draw 1,000–2,200 watts while the motor runs, but duty cycles are short — the tank does the work between refills. Occasional tire and nailer use costs pennies; constant leaks that force refill cycles are the hidden cost.
Calculate it for your home
Per hour
$0.28
Per day
$0.14
Per month
$4.20
Per year
$50.37
Uses 23 kWh/month at 18.4¢ per kWh.
Cheapest and most expensive states
Monthly cost at typical usage, using each state's current average residential rate.
Cost in every state
| State | Rate (¢/kWh) | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 12.4 | $0.19 | $2.83 | $33.95 |
| Utah | 13.0 | $0.20 | $2.96 | $35.59 |
| Oklahoma | 13.4 | $0.20 | $3.06 | $36.68 |
| Nebraska | 13.6 | $0.20 | $3.10 | $37.23 |
| Nevada | 13.6 | $0.20 | $3.10 | $37.23 |
| North Dakota | 13.6 | $0.20 | $3.10 | $37.23 |
| Missouri | 13.7 | $0.21 | $3.12 | $37.50 |
| Iowa | 14.1 | $0.21 | $3.21 | $38.60 |
| New Mexico | 14.1 | $0.21 | $3.21 | $38.60 |
| Louisiana | 14.2 | $0.21 | $3.24 | $38.87 |
| Arkansas | 14.4 | $0.22 | $3.28 | $39.42 |
| Tennessee | 14.5 | $0.22 | $3.31 | $39.69 |
| Montana | 14.7 | $0.22 | $3.35 | $40.24 |
| Wyoming | 14.8 | $0.22 | $3.37 | $40.52 |
| Kentucky | 15.0 | $0.22 | $3.42 | $41.06 |
| Washington | 15.0 | $0.22 | $3.42 | $41.06 |
| Kansas | 15.1 | $0.23 | $3.44 | $41.34 |
| North Carolina | 15.1 | $0.23 | $3.44 | $41.34 |
| Arizona | 15.2 | $0.23 | $3.47 | $41.61 |
| Florida | 15.2 | $0.23 | $3.47 | $41.61 |
| South Dakota | 15.7 | $0.24 | $3.58 | $42.98 |
| Georgia | 15.8 | $0.24 | $3.60 | $43.25 |
| Colorado | 16.2 | $0.24 | $3.69 | $44.35 |
| Mississippi | 16.2 | $0.24 | $3.69 | $44.35 |
| South Carolina | 16.2 | $0.24 | $3.69 | $44.35 |
| Oregon | 16.3 | $0.24 | $3.72 | $44.62 |
| Texas | 16.4 | $0.25 | $3.74 | $44.89 |
| Alabama | 16.8 | $0.25 | $3.83 | $45.99 |
| West Virginia | 16.8 | $0.25 | $3.83 | $45.99 |
| Minnesota | 17.0 | $0.26 | $3.88 | $46.54 |
| Virginia | 17.6 | $0.26 | $4.01 | $48.18 |
| Indiana | 18.2 | $0.27 | $4.15 | $49.82 |
| Delaware | 19.4 | $0.29 | $4.42 | $53.11 |
| Ohio | 19.5 | $0.29 | $4.45 | $53.38 |
| Wisconsin | 19.7 | $0.30 | $4.49 | $53.93 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.6 | $0.32 | $4.92 | $59.13 |
| Maryland | 21.8 | $0.33 | $4.97 | $59.68 |
| Michigan | 22.0 | $0.33 | $5.02 | $60.23 |
| New Jersey | 23.3 | $0.35 | $5.31 | $63.78 |
| Illinois | 23.9 | $0.36 | $5.45 | $65.43 |
| Vermont | 24.9 | $0.37 | $5.68 | $68.16 |
| Washington, D.C. | 25.4 | $0.38 | $5.79 | $69.53 |
| New Hampshire | 27.3 | $0.41 | $6.22 | $74.73 |
| Connecticut | 27.4 | $0.41 | $6.25 | $75.01 |
| Alaska | 28.2 | $0.42 | $6.43 | $77.20 |
| Maine | 28.6 | $0.43 | $6.52 | $78.29 |
| Massachusetts | 28.8 | $0.43 | $6.57 | $78.84 |
| Rhode Island | 29.5 | $0.44 | $6.73 | $80.76 |
| New York | 29.9 | $0.45 | $6.82 | $81.85 |
| California | 33.3 | $0.50 | $7.59 | $91.16 |
| Hawaii | 52.0 | $0.78 | $11.86 | $142 |
How to lower the cost
- Charge vehicles and batteries overnight if your utility offers time-of-use rates.
- Standby draw hides in garages — openers, chargers, and old fridges add up around the clock.
- Electric yard tools cost pennies per session; the battery’s lifespan is the real economics.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a air compressor use?
A typical air compressor draws about 1,500 watts in use. At 0.5 hours/day, that works out to roughly 0.8 kWh per day, or 23 kWh per month.
How much does it cost to run a air compressor for 1 hour?
At the current U.S. average residential rate of 18.4¢/kWh, one hour costs about $0.28. In Idaho (12.4¢/kWh) it's $0.19, while in Hawaii (52¢/kWh) it's $0.78.
How much does a air compressor cost to run per month?
With typical usage (0.5 hours/day), expect about $4.20 per month at the U.S. average rate — from $2.83 in Idaho up to $11.86 in Hawaii. Rates are as of May 2026.
Does a air compressor use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: roughly 3% of an average U.S. home's monthly consumption at typical usage. Noticeable, but not a bill-driver on its own.