How Much Does It Cost to Run a Christmas Lights (Incandescent)?
A typical Christmas Lights (Incandescent) uses 250W and runs about 6 hours/day. At the national average rate of 16.72¢/kWh, that costs approximately $7.52/month.
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What Affects the Cost of Running a Christmas Lights (Incandescent)
Traditional Christmas Lights Are Surprisingly Expensive
Five strings of incandescent C9 lights draw about 250W total. Running 6 hours per evening for 45 days (Thanksgiving to New Year) uses 67.5 kWh, costing about $11.28 at the national average rate. An elaborate display with 15-20 strings can cost $30-50 for the season. LED Christmas lights producing the same look use 80-90% less electricity, cutting costs to $1-5 for the same display.
Christmas Lights (Incandescent) vs. Alternatives
How the monthly cost of a Christmas Lights (Incandescent) compares to other options:
| Alternative | Est. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas Lights (Incandescent) (this page) | $7.52 | At national average rate, 6hrs/day |
| LED Christmas lights (5 strings) | ~$0.50-1 for season | 80-90% less electricity. Same visual impact. Last 10x longer. |
| Incandescent mini lights (5 strings) | ~$5-8 for season | Lower wattage than C9 but still far more than LED. |
| Solar Christmas lights | $0 | No electricity cost. Dimmer than wired options. Weather dependent. |
Christmas Lights (Incandescent) Cost by State
What a Christmas Lights (Incandescent) costs to run at 250W for 6 hours/day in every state:
| State | Rate | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14.82¢ | $6.67 | $80.03 |
| Alaska | 25.34¢ | $11.4 | $136.84 |
| Arizona | 13.81¢ | $6.21 | $74.57 |
| Arkansas | 12.63¢ | $5.68 | $68.2 |
| California | 31.41¢ | $14.13 | $169.61 |
| Colorado | 15.24¢ | $6.86 | $82.3 |
| Connecticut | 29.35¢ | $13.21 | $158.49 |
| Delaware | 15.24¢ | $6.86 | $82.3 |
| District of Columbia | 15.87¢ | $7.14 | $85.7 |
| Florida | 15.63¢ | $7.03 | $84.4 |
| Georgia | 14.12¢ | $6.35 | $76.25 |
| Hawaii | 43.21¢ | $19.44 | $233.33 |
| Idaho | 10.87¢ | $4.89 | $58.7 |
| Illinois | 16.37¢ | $7.37 | $88.4 |
| Indiana | 15.12¢ | $6.8 | $81.65 |
| Iowa | 14.23¢ | $6.4 | $76.84 |
| Kansas | 14.98¢ | $6.74 | $80.89 |
| Kentucky | 12.87¢ | $5.79 | $69.5 |
| Louisiana | 11.98¢ | $5.39 | $64.69 |
| Maine | 22.87¢ | $10.29 | $123.5 |
| Maryland | 16.12¢ | $7.25 | $87.05 |
| Massachusetts | 28.76¢ | $12.94 | $155.3 |
| Michigan | 18.76¢ | $8.44 | $101.3 |
| Minnesota | 15.34¢ | $6.9 | $82.84 |
| Mississippi | 13.76¢ | $6.19 | $74.3 |
| Missouri | 13.12¢ | $5.9 | $70.85 |
| Montana | 12.45¢ | $5.6 | $67.23 |
| Nebraska | 11.98¢ | $5.39 | $64.69 |
| Nevada | 15.03¢ | $6.76 | $81.16 |
| New Hampshire | 25.34¢ | $11.4 | $136.84 |
| New Jersey | 18.76¢ | $8.44 | $101.3 |
| New Mexico | 14.87¢ | $6.69 | $80.3 |
| New York | 22.87¢ | $10.29 | $123.5 |
| North Carolina | 13.98¢ | $6.29 | $75.49 |
| North Dakota | 11.87¢ | $5.34 | $64.1 |
| Ohio | 15.34¢ | $6.9 | $82.84 |
| Oklahoma | 11.98¢ | $5.39 | $64.69 |
| Oregon | 13.12¢ | $5.9 | $70.85 |
| Pennsylvania | 16.87¢ | $7.59 | $91.1 |
| Rhode Island | 27.12¢ | $12.2 | $146.45 |
| South Carolina | 14.98¢ | $6.74 | $80.89 |
| South Dakota | 13.76¢ | $6.19 | $74.3 |
| Tennessee | 12.87¢ | $5.79 | $69.5 |
| Texas | 14.98¢ | $6.74 | $80.89 |
| Utah | 10.87¢ | $4.89 | $58.7 |
| Vermont | 21.34¢ | $9.6 | $115.24 |
| Virginia | 15.34¢ | $6.9 | $82.84 |
| Washington | 10.76¢ | $4.84 | $58.1 |
| West Virginia | 13.12¢ | $5.9 | $70.85 |
| Wisconsin | 16.98¢ | $7.64 | $91.69 |
| Wyoming | 11.23¢ | $5.05 | $60.64 |
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Christmas Lights (Incandescent)
- LED Christmas lights use 80-90% less electricity for the same look
- Use a timer to run lights only during evening hours
- Five strings of incandescent lights can cost $10-30+ for the season
- Consider switching to LED; they last longer and produce far less heat
Frequently Asked Questions
Five strings of traditional incandescent lights running 6 hours/evening for 45 days cost about $11 at the national average rate. The same display with LED lights costs about $1. For every $10 you spend on incandescent Christmas light electricity, you could spend $1 on LED. The LED strings cost slightly more upfront but pay for themselves in one season.
Yes. LED Christmas lights use 80-90% less electricity, last 10-25x longer, are cooler (reducing fire risk), and allow you to connect far more strings end-to-end without overloading a circuit. A full LED conversion for a typical home display costs $30-60 in new lights but saves $10-40/season in electricity. The switch pays for itself in 1-2 seasons.
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Electricity cost estimates are based on typical wattage and average residential rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Your actual costs may vary based on your appliance's specific wattage, usage patterns, and your utility's rate structure. See our full disclaimer.