Cost to Run a Laptop in California
California's average residential electricity rate is 35.3¢/kWh as of April 2026 — the 50th cheapest in the country, 88% above the U.S. average. At typical usage (6 hours/day), a laptop here costs $3.86 per month.
Per hour
2.1¢
at 30–100 W
Per day
$0.13
6 hours/day
Per month
$3.86
11 kWh
Per year
$46.38
131 kWh
By usage level in California
| Usage | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (3 hrs/day) | 6.4¢ | $1.93 | $23.19 |
| Typical (6 hrs/day) | $0.13 | $3.86 | $46.38 |
| Heavy (12 hrs/day) | $0.25 | $7.73 | $92.77 |
California vs. the rest of the country
Monthly cost at typical usage.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a laptop in California?
At California's current average residential rate of 35.3¢/kWh (April 2026), a laptop with typical usage costs about $0.13 per day, $3.86 per month, or $46.38 per year.
Is running a laptop in California more expensive than average?
Yes. California's electricity costs about 88% more than the U.S. average, so the same usage costs $3.86 per month here versus $2.06 nationally.
What does electricity cost in California right now?
California residents pay an average of 35.3¢ per kWh as of April 2026 — the 50th cheapest rate of the 51 U.S. jurisdictions we track.