How Much Does It Cost to Run a Computer Monitor?
A typical Computer Monitor uses 40W and runs about 8 hours/day. At the national average rate of 16.72¢/kWh, that costs approximately $1.61/month.
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What Affects the Cost of Running a Computer Monitor
Monitor Size and Brightness Drive Cost
A 24-inch monitor at medium brightness draws 20-35W. A 27-inch draws 30-50W. A 32-inch draws 40-70W. Reducing brightness from 100% to 50% cuts power consumption by 25-35%. Since most monitors ship at 100% brightness (optimized for bright showroom floors), turning brightness to 40-60% is the fastest savings with zero visual compromise in a normally lit room.
Computer Monitor vs. Alternatives
How the monthly cost of a Computer Monitor compares to other options:
| Alternative | Est. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Monitor (this page) | $1.61 | At national average rate, 8hrs/day |
| 24-inch monitor | ~$1.50-3 | Most efficient standard size. Sufficient for most tasks. |
| 27-inch monitor | ~$2-4 | 20-30% more electricity. Popular balance of size and efficiency. |
| 32-inch monitor | ~$3-5 | 50-80% more than 24-inch. Best for detailed work at arm's length. |
| 34-inch ultrawide | ~$3.50-6 | Replaces dual monitors at lower total power draw. |
Computer Monitor Cost by State
What a Computer Monitor costs to run at 40W for 8 hours/day in every state:
| State | Rate | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14.82¢ | $1.42 | $17.07 |
| Alaska | 25.34¢ | $2.43 | $29.19 |
| Arizona | 13.81¢ | $1.33 | $15.91 |
| Arkansas | 12.63¢ | $1.21 | $14.55 |
| California | 31.41¢ | $3.02 | $36.18 |
| Colorado | 15.24¢ | $1.46 | $17.56 |
| Connecticut | 29.35¢ | $2.82 | $33.81 |
| Delaware | 15.24¢ | $1.46 | $17.56 |
| District of Columbia | 15.87¢ | $1.52 | $18.28 |
| Florida | 15.63¢ | $1.5 | $18.01 |
| Georgia | 14.12¢ | $1.36 | $16.27 |
| Hawaii | 43.21¢ | $4.15 | $49.78 |
| Idaho | 10.87¢ | $1.04 | $12.52 |
| Illinois | 16.37¢ | $1.57 | $18.86 |
| Indiana | 15.12¢ | $1.45 | $17.42 |
| Iowa | 14.23¢ | $1.37 | $16.39 |
| Kansas | 14.98¢ | $1.44 | $17.26 |
| Kentucky | 12.87¢ | $1.24 | $14.83 |
| Louisiana | 11.98¢ | $1.15 | $13.8 |
| Maine | 22.87¢ | $2.2 | $26.35 |
| Maryland | 16.12¢ | $1.55 | $18.57 |
| Massachusetts | 28.76¢ | $2.76 | $33.13 |
| Michigan | 18.76¢ | $1.8 | $21.61 |
| Minnesota | 15.34¢ | $1.47 | $17.67 |
| Mississippi | 13.76¢ | $1.32 | $15.85 |
| Missouri | 13.12¢ | $1.26 | $15.11 |
| Montana | 12.45¢ | $1.2 | $14.34 |
| Nebraska | 11.98¢ | $1.15 | $13.8 |
| Nevada | 15.03¢ | $1.44 | $17.31 |
| New Hampshire | 25.34¢ | $2.43 | $29.19 |
| New Jersey | 18.76¢ | $1.8 | $21.61 |
| New Mexico | 14.87¢ | $1.43 | $17.13 |
| New York | 22.87¢ | $2.2 | $26.35 |
| North Carolina | 13.98¢ | $1.34 | $16.1 |
| North Dakota | 11.87¢ | $1.14 | $13.67 |
| Ohio | 15.34¢ | $1.47 | $17.67 |
| Oklahoma | 11.98¢ | $1.15 | $13.8 |
| Oregon | 13.12¢ | $1.26 | $15.11 |
| Pennsylvania | 16.87¢ | $1.62 | $19.43 |
| Rhode Island | 27.12¢ | $2.6 | $31.24 |
| South Carolina | 14.98¢ | $1.44 | $17.26 |
| South Dakota | 13.76¢ | $1.32 | $15.85 |
| Tennessee | 12.87¢ | $1.24 | $14.83 |
| Texas | 14.98¢ | $1.44 | $17.26 |
| Utah | 10.87¢ | $1.04 | $12.52 |
| Vermont | 21.34¢ | $2.05 | $24.58 |
| Virginia | 15.34¢ | $1.47 | $17.67 |
| Washington | 10.76¢ | $1.03 | $12.4 |
| West Virginia | 13.12¢ | $1.26 | $15.11 |
| Wisconsin | 16.98¢ | $1.63 | $19.56 |
| Wyoming | 11.23¢ | $1.08 | $12.94 |
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Computer Monitor
- Lower brightness to 50-60%; most monitors ship at 100% for showroom display
- Enable auto-sleep to power down the display when your computer sleeps
- LED-backlit monitors use less power than older CCFL-backlit models
- A 27-inch monitor uses about twice the power of a 22-inch
Frequently Asked Questions
A 27-inch monitor running 8 hours/day at medium brightness costs about $2-3/month at the national average rate. A 24-inch costs $1.50-$2.50/month. Leaving the monitor on 24/7 triples the cost, so enabling auto-sleep (5-10 minutes of inactivity) is a worthwhile setting.
Slightly. A 4K monitor at the same size draws about 10-20% more power because of the higher pixel density and backlight requirements. The difference is about $0.50-$1/month. The resolution choice should be based on your work needs, not electricity cost.
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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.