🩺 Personal Care & Health
How Much Does a Oxygen Concentrator Cost to Run?
At the current U.S. average rate of 18.8¢/kWh (April 2026), a oxygen concentrator costs about $41.15 per month at typical usage — 24 hours/day (always on).
Per hour
5.6¢
at 90–600 W
Per day
$1.35
24 hours/day (always on)
Per month
$41.15
219 kWh
Per year
$494
2,628 kWh
Home oxygen concentrators draw 300–600 watts and often run continuously — a genuine, unavoidable 200+ kWh a month for many users. Some states and utilities offer medical-equipment rate discounts; anyone running one around the clock should ask their utility about them.
Calculate it for your home
Per hour
5.6¢
Per day
$1.35
Per month
$41.15
Per year
$494
Uses 219 kWh/month at 18.8¢ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.4 | 3.7¢ | $27.14 | $326 |
| Idaho | 12.7 | 3.8¢ | $27.80 | $334 |
| Nebraska | 13.3 | 4.0¢ | $29.11 | $350 |
| Oklahoma | 13.3 | 4.0¢ | $29.11 | $350 |
| Utah | 13.3 | 4.0¢ | $29.11 | $350 |
| Iowa | 13.9 | 4.2¢ | $30.42 | $365 |
| Montana | 13.9 | 4.2¢ | $30.42 | $365 |
| Missouri | 14.0 | 4.2¢ | $30.64 | $368 |
| Arkansas | 14.2 | 4.3¢ | $31.08 | $373 |
| Nevada | 14.3 | 4.3¢ | $31.30 | $376 |
| Louisiana | 14.4 | 4.3¢ | $31.52 | $378 |
| Washington | 14.4 | 4.3¢ | $31.52 | $378 |
| South Dakota | 14.5 | 4.3¢ | $31.74 | $381 |
| Wyoming | 14.7 | 4.4¢ | $32.18 | $386 |
| Tennessee | 14.9 | 4.5¢ | $32.61 | $392 |
| Kentucky | 15.0 | 4.5¢ | $32.83 | $394 |
| New Mexico | 15.2 | 4.6¢ | $33.27 | $399 |
| Florida | 15.4 | 4.6¢ | $33.71 | $405 |
| Georgia | 15.4 | 4.6¢ | $33.71 | $405 |
| Arizona | 15.5 | 4.7¢ | $33.93 | $407 |
| Kansas | 15.8 | 4.7¢ | $34.58 | $415 |
| Oregon | 15.8 | 4.7¢ | $34.58 | $415 |
| West Virginia | 16.1 | 4.8¢ | $35.24 | $423 |
| North Carolina | 16.3 | 4.9¢ | $35.68 | $428 |
| Minnesota | 16.4 | 4.9¢ | $35.90 | $431 |
| Colorado | 16.5 | 5.0¢ | $36.12 | $434 |
| Mississippi | 16.8 | 5.0¢ | $36.77 | $442 |
| Texas | 17.0 | 5.1¢ | $37.21 | $447 |
| South Carolina | 17.1 | 5.1¢ | $37.43 | $449 |
| Alabama | 17.4 | 5.2¢ | $38.09 | $457 |
| Virginia | 17.4 | 5.2¢ | $38.09 | $457 |
| Indiana | 17.9 | 5.4¢ | $39.18 | $470 |
| Delaware | 18.8 | 5.6¢ | $41.15 | $494 |
| Wisconsin | 19.2 | 5.8¢ | $42.02 | $505 |
| Ohio | 19.5 | 5.8¢ | $42.68 | $512 |
| Illinois | 20.5 | 6.1¢ | $44.87 | $539 |
| Michigan | 21.4 | 6.4¢ | $46.84 | $562 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.5 | 6.5¢ | $47.06 | $565 |
| Maryland | 22.1 | 6.6¢ | $48.37 | $581 |
| New Jersey | 23.5 | 7.0¢ | $51.44 | $618 |
| Vermont | 24.6 | 7.4¢ | $53.84 | $646 |
| Washington, D.C. | 25.4 | 7.6¢ | $55.60 | $668 |
| New Hampshire | 27.2 | 8.2¢ | $59.54 | $715 |
| Alaska | 27.4 | 8.2¢ | $59.97 | $720 |
| Rhode Island | 28.3 | 8.5¢ | $61.94 | $744 |
| Maine | 28.4 | 8.5¢ | $62.16 | $746 |
| Massachusetts | 29.5 | 8.8¢ | $64.57 | $775 |
| New York | 29.5 | 8.8¢ | $64.57 | $775 |
| Connecticut | 32.2 | $0.10 | $70.48 | $846 |
| California | 35.3 | $0.11 | $77.26 | $928 |
| Hawaii | 46.6 | $0.14 | $102 | $1,225 |
How to lower the cost
- Ask your utility about medical baseline or life-support rate programs — many offer real discounts.
- Portable units on battery use far less power but deliver lower flow; sizing matters medically, so change nothing without your provider.
- Keep filters clean — restricted intake raises power draw and wears the compressor.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a oxygen concentrator use?
A typical oxygen concentrator draws about 300 watts in use. At 24 hours/day (always on), that works out to roughly 7.2 kWh per day, or 219 kWh per month.
How much does it cost to run a oxygen concentrator for 1 hour?
At the current U.S. average residential rate of 18.8¢/kWh, one hour costs about 5.6¢. In North Dakota (12.4¢/kWh) it's 3.7¢, while in Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh) it's $0.14.
How much does a oxygen concentrator cost to run per month?
With typical usage (24 hours/day (always on)), expect about $41.15 per month at the U.S. average rate — from $27.14 in North Dakota up to $102 in Hawaii. Rates are as of April 2026.
Does a oxygen concentrator use a lot of electricity?
Yes — at typical usage it accounts for roughly 25% of an average U.S. home's monthly consumption (885 kWh), which makes it one of the larger loads in the house.