How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dual Monitor Setup?
A typical Dual Monitor Setup uses 80W and runs about 8 hours/day. At the national average rate of 16.72¢/kWh, that costs approximately $3.21/month.
Calculate Your Cost
What Affects the Cost of Running a Dual Monitor Setup
Two Monitors Double the Display Power Draw
A dual monitor setup simply adds the power of both screens. Two 27-inch monitors draw 60-100W combined compared to 30-50W for one. At 8 hours/day, the second monitor adds $2-4/month. The productivity benefit of dual monitors for most knowledge workers far exceeds this cost. However, turning off the second monitor during tasks that only need one screen saves money effortlessly.
Dual Monitor Setup vs. Alternatives
How the monthly cost of a Dual Monitor Setup compares to other options:
| Alternative | Est. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dual Monitor Setup (this page) | $3.21 | At national average rate, 8hrs/day |
| Single 34-inch ultrawide | ~$3.50-6 | 10-20% less power than dual 27-inch monitors. No bezel gap. |
| Single 27-inch monitor | ~$2-4 | 50% less electricity. Sufficient if you do not multitask across windows. |
| Laptop + external monitor | ~$3-5 | Laptop screen + one external. Similar to dual monitors but lower total system power. |
Dual Monitor Setup Cost by State
What a Dual Monitor Setup costs to run at 80W for 8 hours/day in every state:
| State | Rate | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14.82¢ | $2.85 | $34.15 |
| Alaska | 25.34¢ | $4.87 | $58.38 |
| Arizona | 13.81¢ | $2.65 | $31.82 |
| Arkansas | 12.63¢ | $2.42 | $29.1 |
| California | 31.41¢ | $6.03 | $72.37 |
| Colorado | 15.24¢ | $2.93 | $35.11 |
| Connecticut | 29.35¢ | $5.64 | $67.62 |
| Delaware | 15.24¢ | $2.93 | $35.11 |
| District of Columbia | 15.87¢ | $3.05 | $36.56 |
| Florida | 15.63¢ | $3 | $36.01 |
| Georgia | 14.12¢ | $2.71 | $32.53 |
| Hawaii | 43.21¢ | $8.3 | $99.56 |
| Idaho | 10.87¢ | $2.09 | $25.04 |
| Illinois | 16.37¢ | $3.14 | $37.72 |
| Indiana | 15.12¢ | $2.9 | $34.84 |
| Iowa | 14.23¢ | $2.73 | $32.79 |
| Kansas | 14.98¢ | $2.88 | $34.51 |
| Kentucky | 12.87¢ | $2.47 | $29.65 |
| Louisiana | 11.98¢ | $2.3 | $27.6 |
| Maine | 22.87¢ | $4.39 | $52.69 |
| Maryland | 16.12¢ | $3.1 | $37.14 |
| Massachusetts | 28.76¢ | $5.52 | $66.26 |
| Michigan | 18.76¢ | $3.6 | $43.22 |
| Minnesota | 15.34¢ | $2.95 | $35.34 |
| Mississippi | 13.76¢ | $2.64 | $31.7 |
| Missouri | 13.12¢ | $2.52 | $30.23 |
| Montana | 12.45¢ | $2.39 | $28.68 |
| Nebraska | 11.98¢ | $2.3 | $27.6 |
| Nevada | 15.03¢ | $2.89 | $34.63 |
| New Hampshire | 25.34¢ | $4.87 | $58.38 |
| New Jersey | 18.76¢ | $3.6 | $43.22 |
| New Mexico | 14.87¢ | $2.86 | $34.26 |
| New York | 22.87¢ | $4.39 | $52.69 |
| North Carolina | 13.98¢ | $2.68 | $32.21 |
| North Dakota | 11.87¢ | $2.28 | $27.35 |
| Ohio | 15.34¢ | $2.95 | $35.34 |
| Oklahoma | 11.98¢ | $2.3 | $27.6 |
| Oregon | 13.12¢ | $2.52 | $30.23 |
| Pennsylvania | 16.87¢ | $3.24 | $38.87 |
| Rhode Island | 27.12¢ | $5.21 | $62.48 |
| South Carolina | 14.98¢ | $2.88 | $34.51 |
| South Dakota | 13.76¢ | $2.64 | $31.7 |
| Tennessee | 12.87¢ | $2.47 | $29.65 |
| Texas | 14.98¢ | $2.88 | $34.51 |
| Utah | 10.87¢ | $2.09 | $25.04 |
| Vermont | 21.34¢ | $4.1 | $49.17 |
| Virginia | 15.34¢ | $2.95 | $35.34 |
| Washington | 10.76¢ | $2.07 | $24.79 |
| West Virginia | 13.12¢ | $2.52 | $30.23 |
| Wisconsin | 16.98¢ | $3.26 | $39.12 |
| Wyoming | 11.23¢ | $2.16 | $25.87 |
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Dual Monitor Setup
- Turn off both monitors when stepping away, not just the computer
- Enable auto-sleep on both displays
- Consider whether you need the second monitor always on; turn it off when single-tasking
- Two efficient monitors still use less power than one large ultrawide at maximum brightness
Frequently Asked Questions
A second 27-inch monitor adds about $2-4/month at 8 hours/day use. If you leave both monitors on 24/7 instead of using auto-sleep, the cost doubles. For most people, the productivity gain from dual monitors saves far more than $2-4/month in time. Just enable auto-sleep to avoid unnecessary overnight power draw.
Usually yes. A single 34-inch ultrawide draws 50-80W, while two 27-inch monitors draw 60-100W combined. The ultrawide saves about 10-20% on electricity ($0.50-$1/month), eliminates one power cable, and provides a seamless workspace without a bezel gap. The tradeoff is less flexibility in positioning and no option to turn off half the screen.
Related Appliances
Desktop Computer and Monitor
350W typical
Laser Printer
600W typical
Inkjet Printer
30W typical
Computer Monitor
40W typical
Phone Charger
5W 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.