💧 Water, Pool & Spa
How Much Does a Hot Tub Cost to Run?
At the current U.S. average rate of 18.4¢/kWh (May 2026), a hot tub costs about $27.69 per month at typical usage — 3.3 hours/day.
Per hour
$0.28
at 1,000–6,000 W
Per day
$0.91
3.3 hours/day
Per month
$27.69
150 kWh
Per year
$332
1,807 kWh
Between the heater and circulation pumps, a typical outdoor hot tub consumes 3–8 kWh per day — more in winter, less with a quality cover. It's routinely a top-five household load that owners forget to count.
Calculate it for your home
Per hour
$0.28
Per day
$0.91
Per month
$27.69
Per year
$332
Uses 150 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 | $18.66 | $224 |
| Utah | 13.0 | $0.20 | $19.56 | $235 |
| Oklahoma | 13.4 | $0.20 | $20.16 | $242 |
| Nebraska | 13.6 | $0.20 | $20.47 | $246 |
| Nevada | 13.6 | $0.20 | $20.47 | $246 |
| North Dakota | 13.6 | $0.20 | $20.47 | $246 |
| Missouri | 13.7 | $0.21 | $20.62 | $248 |
| Iowa | 14.1 | $0.21 | $21.22 | $255 |
| New Mexico | 14.1 | $0.21 | $21.22 | $255 |
| Louisiana | 14.2 | $0.21 | $21.37 | $257 |
| Arkansas | 14.4 | $0.22 | $21.67 | $260 |
| Tennessee | 14.5 | $0.22 | $21.82 | $262 |
| Montana | 14.7 | $0.22 | $22.12 | $266 |
| Wyoming | 14.8 | $0.22 | $22.27 | $267 |
| Kentucky | 15.0 | $0.22 | $22.57 | $271 |
| Washington | 15.0 | $0.22 | $22.57 | $271 |
| Kansas | 15.1 | $0.23 | $22.72 | $273 |
| North Carolina | 15.1 | $0.23 | $22.72 | $273 |
| Arizona | 15.2 | $0.23 | $22.87 | $275 |
| Florida | 15.2 | $0.23 | $22.87 | $275 |
| South Dakota | 15.7 | $0.24 | $23.63 | $284 |
| Georgia | 15.8 | $0.24 | $23.78 | $285 |
| Colorado | 16.2 | $0.24 | $24.38 | $293 |
| Mississippi | 16.2 | $0.24 | $24.38 | $293 |
| South Carolina | 16.2 | $0.24 | $24.38 | $293 |
| Oregon | 16.3 | $0.24 | $24.53 | $295 |
| Texas | 16.4 | $0.25 | $24.68 | $296 |
| Alabama | 16.8 | $0.25 | $25.28 | $304 |
| West Virginia | 16.8 | $0.25 | $25.28 | $304 |
| Minnesota | 17.0 | $0.26 | $25.58 | $307 |
| Virginia | 17.6 | $0.26 | $26.48 | $318 |
| Indiana | 18.2 | $0.27 | $27.39 | $329 |
| Delaware | 19.4 | $0.29 | $29.19 | $351 |
| Ohio | 19.5 | $0.29 | $29.34 | $352 |
| Wisconsin | 19.7 | $0.30 | $29.64 | $356 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.6 | $0.32 | $32.50 | $390 |
| Maryland | 21.8 | $0.33 | $32.80 | $394 |
| Michigan | 22.0 | $0.33 | $33.11 | $397 |
| New Jersey | 23.3 | $0.35 | $35.06 | $421 |
| Illinois | 23.9 | $0.36 | $35.96 | $432 |
| Vermont | 24.9 | $0.37 | $37.47 | $450 |
| Washington, D.C. | 25.4 | $0.38 | $38.22 | $459 |
| New Hampshire | 27.3 | $0.41 | $41.08 | $493 |
| Connecticut | 27.4 | $0.41 | $41.23 | $495 |
| Alaska | 28.2 | $0.42 | $42.44 | $510 |
| Maine | 28.6 | $0.43 | $43.04 | $517 |
| Massachusetts | 28.8 | $0.43 | $43.34 | $520 |
| Rhode Island | 29.5 | $0.44 | $44.39 | $533 |
| New York | 29.9 | $0.45 | $44.99 | $540 |
| California | 33.3 | $0.50 | $50.11 | $602 |
| Hawaii | 52.0 | $0.78 | $78.25 | $940 |
How to lower the cost
- A tight-fitting insulated cover is the single biggest cost lever — most heat loss is from the water surface.
- Drop the setpoint a few degrees between soaks rather than powering fully down and reheating.
- In winter, wind exposure matters; a fence or enclosure measurably cuts heater runtime.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a hot tub use?
A typical hot tub draws about 1,500 watts in use. At 3.3 hours/day, that works out to roughly 5.0 kWh per day, or 150 kWh per month.
How much does it cost to run a hot tub 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 hot tub cost to run per month?
With typical usage (3.3 hours/day), expect about $27.69 per month at the U.S. average rate — from $18.66 in Idaho up to $78.25 in Hawaii. Rates are as of May 2026.
Does a hot tub use a lot of electricity?
Yes — at typical usage it accounts for roughly 17% of an average U.S. home's monthly consumption (885 kWh), which makes it one of the larger loads in the house.