How Much Does It Cost to Run a Gaming Console?
A typical Gaming Console uses 200W and runs about 3 hours/day. At the national average rate of 16.72¢/kWh, that costs approximately $3.01/month.
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What Affects the Cost of Running a Gaming Console
Active Gaming Uses 5-10x More Power Than Streaming Video
A PlayStation 5 draws 100-200W during gameplay but only 40-70W when streaming Netflix or YouTube. The GPU and CPU scale power based on workload. If you use your console 50% for gaming and 50% for streaming, your average power draw is lower than the gaming-only figure. A dedicated streaming device ($3-5W) is far more efficient for video if the console would otherwise be off.
Rest Mode Is Not Off
Modern consoles in rest mode draw 10-15W to maintain network connections and enable quick startup. Over 20 hours/day in rest mode, that is 6-9 kWh/month (about $1-1.50). Not huge, but it adds up over a year. If you do not need remote downloads or instant-on, fully powering off the console saves $12-18/year.
Gaming Console vs. Alternatives
How the monthly cost of a Gaming Console compares to other options:
| Alternative | Est. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming Console (this page) | $3.01 | At national average rate, 3hrs/day |
| Nintendo Switch (docked) | ~$0.50-1 | Draws 40W max. By far the cheapest console to operate. |
| Gaming PC (mid-range) | ~$8-15 | 3-5x the power draw of a console for better graphics and versatility. |
| Cloud gaming (streaming) | < $1 electricity | Your device draws minimal power. Requires strong internet. Monthly subscription cost. |
| Mobile gaming (phone/tablet) | < $0.25 | Negligible power cost. Limited to mobile game library. |
Gaming Console Cost by State
What a Gaming Console costs to run at 200W for 3 hours/day in every state:
| State | Rate | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14.82¢ | $2.67 | $32.01 |
| Alaska | 25.34¢ | $4.56 | $54.73 |
| Arizona | 13.81¢ | $2.49 | $29.83 |
| Arkansas | 12.63¢ | $2.27 | $27.28 |
| California | 31.41¢ | $5.65 | $67.85 |
| Colorado | 15.24¢ | $2.74 | $32.92 |
| Connecticut | 29.35¢ | $5.28 | $63.4 |
| Delaware | 15.24¢ | $2.74 | $32.92 |
| District of Columbia | 15.87¢ | $2.86 | $34.28 |
| Florida | 15.63¢ | $2.81 | $33.76 |
| Georgia | 14.12¢ | $2.54 | $30.5 |
| Hawaii | 43.21¢ | $7.78 | $93.33 |
| Idaho | 10.87¢ | $1.96 | $23.48 |
| Illinois | 16.37¢ | $2.95 | $35.36 |
| Indiana | 15.12¢ | $2.72 | $32.66 |
| Iowa | 14.23¢ | $2.56 | $30.74 |
| Kansas | 14.98¢ | $2.7 | $32.36 |
| Kentucky | 12.87¢ | $2.32 | $27.8 |
| Louisiana | 11.98¢ | $2.16 | $25.88 |
| Maine | 22.87¢ | $4.12 | $49.4 |
| Maryland | 16.12¢ | $2.9 | $34.82 |
| Massachusetts | 28.76¢ | $5.18 | $62.12 |
| Michigan | 18.76¢ | $3.38 | $40.52 |
| Minnesota | 15.34¢ | $2.76 | $33.13 |
| Mississippi | 13.76¢ | $2.48 | $29.72 |
| Missouri | 13.12¢ | $2.36 | $28.34 |
| Montana | 12.45¢ | $2.24 | $26.89 |
| Nebraska | 11.98¢ | $2.16 | $25.88 |
| Nevada | 15.03¢ | $2.71 | $32.46 |
| New Hampshire | 25.34¢ | $4.56 | $54.73 |
| New Jersey | 18.76¢ | $3.38 | $40.52 |
| New Mexico | 14.87¢ | $2.68 | $32.12 |
| New York | 22.87¢ | $4.12 | $49.4 |
| North Carolina | 13.98¢ | $2.52 | $30.2 |
| North Dakota | 11.87¢ | $2.14 | $25.64 |
| Ohio | 15.34¢ | $2.76 | $33.13 |
| Oklahoma | 11.98¢ | $2.16 | $25.88 |
| Oregon | 13.12¢ | $2.36 | $28.34 |
| Pennsylvania | 16.87¢ | $3.04 | $36.44 |
| Rhode Island | 27.12¢ | $4.88 | $58.58 |
| South Carolina | 14.98¢ | $2.7 | $32.36 |
| South Dakota | 13.76¢ | $2.48 | $29.72 |
| Tennessee | 12.87¢ | $2.32 | $27.8 |
| Texas | 14.98¢ | $2.7 | $32.36 |
| Utah | 10.87¢ | $1.96 | $23.48 |
| Vermont | 21.34¢ | $3.84 | $46.09 |
| Virginia | 15.34¢ | $2.76 | $33.13 |
| Washington | 10.76¢ | $1.94 | $23.24 |
| West Virginia | 13.12¢ | $2.36 | $28.34 |
| Wisconsin | 16.98¢ | $3.06 | $36.68 |
| Wyoming | 11.23¢ | $2.02 | $24.26 |
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Gaming Console
- Enable auto-shutdown after idle periods
- Use rest mode sparingly; it still draws 10-15W
- Download updates during off-peak hours and let the console sleep afterward
- Streaming video on a console uses more power than a dedicated streaming device
Frequently Asked Questions
During active gameplay, a PS5 draws 100-200W and an Xbox Series X draws 150-220W. At 3 hours of daily gaming, the monthly electricity cost is $2-4 at the national average rate. Add rest mode for the remaining 21 hours ($1-1.50/month) and total monthly cost is $3-5.50. Significantly cheaper than a gaming PC.
Rest mode draws 10-15W continuously for quick startup and background downloads. If you game daily and appreciate instant-on, rest mode costs about $1-1.50/month. If you game a few times per week, the convenience may not justify the cost, and fully powering off when not in use saves that amount. Over a year, the difference is about $12-18.
They are comparable. A PS5 at 150W and a 65-inch TV at 150W draw roughly the same power. Together, a gaming session draws about 300W total. At 3 hours/day, the combined monthly cost is about $4.50-$6. The TV and console contribute roughly equally to the total.
Related Appliances
50-Inch LED TV
100W typical
65-Inch LED TV
150W typical
Desktop Computer
300W typical
Laptop
65W typical
Gaming PC
500W typical
Soundbar
100W typical
Wi-Fi Router
12W typical
Cable Box
30W typical
Streaming Device
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.