How Much Does It Cost to Run a Electric Stove Top?
A typical Electric Stove Top uses 1500W and runs about 1 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 Electric Stove Top
Matching Pan Size to Burner Size Prevents Waste
A 6-inch pan on an 8-inch burner wastes about 40% of the heat radiating around the pan. A 10-inch pan on the same 8-inch burner captures nearly all the heat. This simple habit of matching cookware to burner size can reduce stovetop energy waste by 30-40%. Flat-bottomed pans also make better contact with the heating element than warped ones, improving heat transfer efficiency.
Induction Cooktops Are 5-10% More Efficient
Induction cooktops heat the pan directly through electromagnetic fields rather than heating a coil that heats the air that heats the pan. This eliminates two stages of heat transfer loss. An induction cooktop transfers 85-90% of energy to the food compared to 70-75% for a standard electric coil or smooth-top. The per-meal savings are modest (a few cents), but the faster heating also means less total run time.
Electric Stove Top vs. Alternatives
How the monthly cost of a Electric Stove Top compares to other options:
| Alternative | Est. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Stove Top (this page) | $7.52 | At national average rate, 1hrs/day |
| Induction cooktop | ~$4-8 | 5-10% more efficient, heats faster, but requires magnetic cookware. |
| Gas stove | ~$3-6 in gas | Gas is often cheaper per BTU. Instant heat control. Produces indoor air pollutants. |
| Microwave (for reheating) | ~$1-2 | For reheating liquids and leftovers, 80% more efficient than the stove. |
| Electric kettle (for boiling water) | ~$1-2 | Boils water 50% faster than a stove because 100% of heat goes into the water. |
Electric Stove Top Cost by State
What a Electric Stove Top costs to run at 1500W for 1 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 Electric Stove Top
- Use flat-bottomed pans that match the burner size
- Cover pots with lids; it reduces cooking time and energy use
- Turn off the burner a few minutes early; residual heat finishes the job
- Induction cooktops are 5-10% more efficient than standard electric
Frequently Asked Questions
A single burner on high draws 1,000-2,500W, comparable to a space heater. However, cooking sessions are short, typically 15-45 minutes, so the per-meal cost is modest: about $0.10-$0.30 per meal at the national average rate. Using the stove for one hour per day costs roughly $5-8/month. It is a meaningful but not dominant part of your electricity bill.
Gas is typically cheaper per meal because natural gas costs less per BTU than electricity in most markets. The average meal costs $0.10-$0.20 on gas versus $0.15-$0.30 on electric. Over a year, the difference is $20-$50. Induction electric stoves narrow this gap because of their higher efficiency.
Yes. Electric burners retain heat for several minutes after being turned off. Turning off the burner 2-3 minutes before food is done and letting residual heat finish the cooking saves those minutes of electricity at no cost to food quality. This works especially well for boiling pasta, simmering sauces, and heating liquids. It saves roughly 5-10% of cooking energy per meal.
Related Appliances
Refrigerator
180W typical
Freezer
150W typical
Dishwasher
1800W typical
Electric Oven
2500W typical
Microwave
1200W typical
Coffee Maker
1000W typical
Toaster
1200W typical
Toaster Oven
1400W typical
Air Fryer
1500W typical
Slow Cooker
250W typical
Instant Pot
1000W typical
Blender
400W typical
Electric Kettle
1500W typical
Food Processor
500W typical
Stand Mixer
300W typical
Garbage Disposal
500W typical
Ice Maker
150W 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.