How Much Does It Cost to Run a Christmas Lights (LED)?
A typical Christmas Lights (LED) uses 25W and runs about 6 hours/day. At the national average rate of 16.72¢/kWh, that costs approximately $0.75/month.
Calculate Your Cost
What Affects the Cost of Running a Christmas Lights (LED)
LED Christmas Lights Cost Almost Nothing to Run
Five strings of LED Christmas lights draw about 25W total. Running 6 hours per evening for 45 days uses 6.75 kWh, costing about $1.13 for the entire holiday season. Even a massive display with 20+ strings costs under $5 for the season. The electricity cost of LED Christmas decorations is so low that it should not factor into your decorating decisions at all.
Christmas Lights (LED) vs. Alternatives
How the monthly cost of a Christmas Lights (LED) compares to other options:
| Alternative | Est. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas Lights (LED) (this page) | $0.75 | At national average rate, 6hrs/day |
| Incandescent Christmas lights (5 strings) | ~$6-8 for season | 8-10x more electricity. Shorter lifespan. Higher fire risk. |
| Solar Christmas lights | $0 | No electricity cost but dimmer and weather-dependent. |
| Projection lights (single unit) | ~$0.50-1 for season | 10-20W per projector. Covers a large area with minimal wiring. |
Christmas Lights (LED) Cost by State
What a Christmas Lights (LED) costs to run at 25W for 6 hours/day in every state:
| State | Rate | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14.82¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| Alaska | 25.34¢ | $1.14 | $13.68 |
| Arizona | 13.81¢ | $0.62 | $7.46 |
| Arkansas | 12.63¢ | $0.57 | $6.82 |
| California | 31.41¢ | $1.41 | $16.96 |
| Colorado | 15.24¢ | $0.69 | $8.23 |
| Connecticut | 29.35¢ | $1.32 | $15.85 |
| Delaware | 15.24¢ | $0.69 | $8.23 |
| District of Columbia | 15.87¢ | $0.71 | $8.57 |
| Florida | 15.63¢ | $0.7 | $8.44 |
| Georgia | 14.12¢ | $0.64 | $7.62 |
| Hawaii | 43.21¢ | $1.94 | $23.33 |
| Idaho | 10.87¢ | $0.49 | $5.87 |
| Illinois | 16.37¢ | $0.74 | $8.84 |
| Indiana | 15.12¢ | $0.68 | $8.16 |
| Iowa | 14.23¢ | $0.64 | $7.68 |
| Kansas | 14.98¢ | $0.67 | $8.09 |
| Kentucky | 12.87¢ | $0.58 | $6.95 |
| Louisiana | 11.98¢ | $0.54 | $6.47 |
| Maine | 22.87¢ | $1.03 | $12.35 |
| Maryland | 16.12¢ | $0.73 | $8.7 |
| Massachusetts | 28.76¢ | $1.29 | $15.53 |
| Michigan | 18.76¢ | $0.84 | $10.13 |
| Minnesota | 15.34¢ | $0.69 | $8.28 |
| Mississippi | 13.76¢ | $0.62 | $7.43 |
| Missouri | 13.12¢ | $0.59 | $7.08 |
| Montana | 12.45¢ | $0.56 | $6.72 |
| Nebraska | 11.98¢ | $0.54 | $6.47 |
| Nevada | 15.03¢ | $0.68 | $8.12 |
| New Hampshire | 25.34¢ | $1.14 | $13.68 |
| New Jersey | 18.76¢ | $0.84 | $10.13 |
| New Mexico | 14.87¢ | $0.67 | $8.03 |
| New York | 22.87¢ | $1.03 | $12.35 |
| North Carolina | 13.98¢ | $0.63 | $7.55 |
| North Dakota | 11.87¢ | $0.53 | $6.41 |
| Ohio | 15.34¢ | $0.69 | $8.28 |
| Oklahoma | 11.98¢ | $0.54 | $6.47 |
| Oregon | 13.12¢ | $0.59 | $7.08 |
| Pennsylvania | 16.87¢ | $0.76 | $9.11 |
| Rhode Island | 27.12¢ | $1.22 | $14.64 |
| South Carolina | 14.98¢ | $0.67 | $8.09 |
| South Dakota | 13.76¢ | $0.62 | $7.43 |
| Tennessee | 12.87¢ | $0.58 | $6.95 |
| Texas | 14.98¢ | $0.67 | $8.09 |
| Utah | 10.87¢ | $0.49 | $5.87 |
| Vermont | 21.34¢ | $0.96 | $11.52 |
| Virginia | 15.34¢ | $0.69 | $8.28 |
| Washington | 10.76¢ | $0.48 | $5.81 |
| West Virginia | 13.12¢ | $0.59 | $7.08 |
| Wisconsin | 16.98¢ | $0.76 | $9.17 |
| Wyoming | 11.23¢ | $0.51 | $6.06 |
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Christmas Lights (LED)
- LED Christmas lights cost 80-90% less to run than incandescent
- They produce almost no heat, reducing fire risk on dry trees
- You can connect far more LED strings end-to-end without overloading a circuit
- The upfront cost premium pays for itself in one to two seasons
Frequently Asked Questions
Five strings of LED lights running 6 hours/night for 45 days cost about $1.13 total at the national average rate. Twenty strings cost about $4.50. Even the most elaborate LED display rarely exceeds $10 for the entire season. The electricity cost is genuinely negligible.
Yes, significantly more. LED strings draw 80-90% less current per string, so you can typically connect 8-10 LED strings end-to-end versus 3-5 incandescent strings on the same circuit. This means fewer extension cords, fewer outlets needed, and simpler installation for large displays.
Related Appliances
Christmas Lights (Incandescent)
250W typical
Inflatable Yard Decoration
200W typical
Electric Fireplace
1500W typical
Window Candle
7W typical
Garage Workshop Heater
4000W typical
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.