How Much Does It Cost to Run a Hair Dryer?
A typical Hair Dryer uses 1800W and runs about 0.15 hours/day. At the national average rate of 16.72¢/kWh, that costs approximately $1.35/month.
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What Affects the Cost of Running a Hair Dryer
High Wattage, Very Short Use Time = Low Total Cost
A hair dryer at 1,800W draws more power than a space heater. But most people use it for 5-15 minutes, not 8 hours. A 10-minute blow-dry session uses 0.3 kWh, costing about $0.05 at the national average rate. Even daily blow-drying costs only $1.50/month. The per-use cost is tiny despite the high wattage.
Hair Dryer vs. Alternatives
How the monthly cost of a Hair Dryer compares to other options:
| Alternative | Est. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hair Dryer (this page) | $1.35 | At national average rate, 0.15hrs/day |
| Towel drying (no electricity) | $0 | Free but takes longer and does not style hair. |
| Bonnet/hooded dryer | ~$1-2 | Lower wattage (300-500W) but much longer run time per session. |
| Air drying | $0 | Takes 30-60+ minutes. Works in warm weather. |
Hair Dryer Cost by State
What a Hair Dryer costs to run at 1800W for 0.15 hours/day in every state:
| State | Rate | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14.82¢ | $1.2 | $14.41 |
| Alaska | 25.34¢ | $2.05 | $24.63 |
| Arizona | 13.81¢ | $1.12 | $13.42 |
| Arkansas | 12.63¢ | $1.02 | $12.28 |
| California | 31.41¢ | $2.54 | $30.53 |
| Colorado | 15.24¢ | $1.23 | $14.81 |
| Connecticut | 29.35¢ | $2.38 | $28.53 |
| Delaware | 15.24¢ | $1.23 | $14.81 |
| District of Columbia | 15.87¢ | $1.29 | $15.43 |
| Florida | 15.63¢ | $1.27 | $15.19 |
| Georgia | 14.12¢ | $1.14 | $13.72 |
| Hawaii | 43.21¢ | $3.5 | $42 |
| Idaho | 10.87¢ | $0.88 | $10.57 |
| Illinois | 16.37¢ | $1.33 | $15.91 |
| Indiana | 15.12¢ | $1.22 | $14.7 |
| Iowa | 14.23¢ | $1.15 | $13.83 |
| Kansas | 14.98¢ | $1.21 | $14.56 |
| Kentucky | 12.87¢ | $1.04 | $12.51 |
| Louisiana | 11.98¢ | $0.97 | $11.64 |
| Maine | 22.87¢ | $1.85 | $22.23 |
| Maryland | 16.12¢ | $1.31 | $15.67 |
| Massachusetts | 28.76¢ | $2.33 | $27.95 |
| Michigan | 18.76¢ | $1.52 | $18.23 |
| Minnesota | 15.34¢ | $1.24 | $14.91 |
| Mississippi | 13.76¢ | $1.11 | $13.37 |
| Missouri | 13.12¢ | $1.06 | $12.75 |
| Montana | 12.45¢ | $1.01 | $12.1 |
| Nebraska | 11.98¢ | $0.97 | $11.64 |
| Nevada | 15.03¢ | $1.22 | $14.61 |
| New Hampshire | 25.34¢ | $2.05 | $24.63 |
| New Jersey | 18.76¢ | $1.52 | $18.23 |
| New Mexico | 14.87¢ | $1.2 | $14.45 |
| New York | 22.87¢ | $1.85 | $22.23 |
| North Carolina | 13.98¢ | $1.13 | $13.59 |
| North Dakota | 11.87¢ | $0.96 | $11.54 |
| Ohio | 15.34¢ | $1.24 | $14.91 |
| Oklahoma | 11.98¢ | $0.97 | $11.64 |
| Oregon | 13.12¢ | $1.06 | $12.75 |
| Pennsylvania | 16.87¢ | $1.37 | $16.4 |
| Rhode Island | 27.12¢ | $2.2 | $26.36 |
| South Carolina | 14.98¢ | $1.21 | $14.56 |
| South Dakota | 13.76¢ | $1.11 | $13.37 |
| Tennessee | 12.87¢ | $1.04 | $12.51 |
| Texas | 14.98¢ | $1.21 | $14.56 |
| Utah | 10.87¢ | $0.88 | $10.57 |
| Vermont | 21.34¢ | $1.73 | $20.74 |
| Virginia | 15.34¢ | $1.24 | $14.91 |
| Washington | 10.76¢ | $0.87 | $10.46 |
| West Virginia | 13.12¢ | $1.06 | $12.75 |
| Wisconsin | 16.98¢ | $1.38 | $16.5 |
| Wyoming | 11.23¢ | $0.91 | $10.92 |
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Hair Dryer
- Use the lowest heat setting that works for your hair type
- Towel-dry first to reduce blow-drying time
- High wattage but very short use time makes the per-use cost tiny
- A diffuser attachment can reduce drying time for curly hair
Frequently Asked Questions
A single 10-minute blow-dry session at 1,800W costs about $0.05 at the national average rate. Daily use costs $1.50/month. Even twice-daily use stays under $3/month. Despite the high wattage, hair dryers are cheap to run because each session is so brief.
Per minute, yes. Per session, no. A hair dryer's 1,800W draw is among the highest of any personal care appliance, but a typical 5-10 minute session uses only 0.15-0.3 kWh. Compare that to a space heater at the same wattage running 8 hours (12 kWh). The hair dryer uses about 2% of what the space heater uses because the duration is so different.
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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.