How Much Does It Cost to Run a Streaming Device?
A typical Streaming Device uses 5W and runs about 5 hours/day. At the national average rate of 16.72¢/kWh, that costs approximately $0.13/month.
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What Affects the Cost of Running a Streaming Device
Streaming Devices Use Almost No Electricity
A Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, or Chromecast draws 3-10W during active streaming and 1-3W in standby. Monthly electricity cost is $0.10-$0.30 even with daily use. The TV it is connected to uses 10-50x more power than the streaming device itself. Energy efficiency is a non-factor in streaming device selection.
Streaming Device vs. Alternatives
How the monthly cost of a Streaming Device compares to other options:
| Alternative | Est. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Device (this page) | $0.13 | At national average rate, 5hrs/day |
| Cable/satellite box | ~$3-5 | 10-20x more electricity. Plus $50-100+/month subscription. |
| Gaming console (as streaming device) | ~$2-4 | Uses 20-40x more electricity than a streaming stick for the same content. |
| Smart TV built-in apps | Included in TV cost | No additional device cost. TV is already on anyway. |
Streaming Device Cost by State
What a Streaming Device costs to run at 5W for 5 hours/day in every state:
| State | Rate | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14.82¢ | $0.11 | $1.33 |
| Alaska | 25.34¢ | $0.19 | $2.28 |
| Arizona | 13.81¢ | $0.1 | $1.24 |
| Arkansas | 12.63¢ | $0.09 | $1.14 |
| California | 31.41¢ | $0.24 | $2.83 |
| Colorado | 15.24¢ | $0.11 | $1.37 |
| Connecticut | 29.35¢ | $0.22 | $2.64 |
| Delaware | 15.24¢ | $0.11 | $1.37 |
| District of Columbia | 15.87¢ | $0.12 | $1.43 |
| Florida | 15.63¢ | $0.12 | $1.41 |
| Georgia | 14.12¢ | $0.11 | $1.27 |
| Hawaii | 43.21¢ | $0.32 | $3.89 |
| Idaho | 10.87¢ | $0.08 | $0.98 |
| Illinois | 16.37¢ | $0.12 | $1.47 |
| Indiana | 15.12¢ | $0.11 | $1.36 |
| Iowa | 14.23¢ | $0.11 | $1.28 |
| Kansas | 14.98¢ | $0.11 | $1.35 |
| Kentucky | 12.87¢ | $0.1 | $1.16 |
| Louisiana | 11.98¢ | $0.09 | $1.08 |
| Maine | 22.87¢ | $0.17 | $2.06 |
| Maryland | 16.12¢ | $0.12 | $1.45 |
| Massachusetts | 28.76¢ | $0.22 | $2.59 |
| Michigan | 18.76¢ | $0.14 | $1.69 |
| Minnesota | 15.34¢ | $0.12 | $1.38 |
| Mississippi | 13.76¢ | $0.1 | $1.24 |
| Missouri | 13.12¢ | $0.1 | $1.18 |
| Montana | 12.45¢ | $0.09 | $1.12 |
| Nebraska | 11.98¢ | $0.09 | $1.08 |
| Nevada | 15.03¢ | $0.11 | $1.35 |
| New Hampshire | 25.34¢ | $0.19 | $2.28 |
| New Jersey | 18.76¢ | $0.14 | $1.69 |
| New Mexico | 14.87¢ | $0.11 | $1.34 |
| New York | 22.87¢ | $0.17 | $2.06 |
| North Carolina | 13.98¢ | $0.1 | $1.26 |
| North Dakota | 11.87¢ | $0.09 | $1.07 |
| Ohio | 15.34¢ | $0.12 | $1.38 |
| Oklahoma | 11.98¢ | $0.09 | $1.08 |
| Oregon | 13.12¢ | $0.1 | $1.18 |
| Pennsylvania | 16.87¢ | $0.13 | $1.52 |
| Rhode Island | 27.12¢ | $0.2 | $2.44 |
| South Carolina | 14.98¢ | $0.11 | $1.35 |
| South Dakota | 13.76¢ | $0.1 | $1.24 |
| Tennessee | 12.87¢ | $0.1 | $1.16 |
| Texas | 14.98¢ | $0.11 | $1.35 |
| Utah | 10.87¢ | $0.08 | $0.98 |
| Vermont | 21.34¢ | $0.16 | $1.92 |
| Virginia | 15.34¢ | $0.12 | $1.38 |
| Washington | 10.76¢ | $0.08 | $0.97 |
| West Virginia | 13.12¢ | $0.1 | $1.18 |
| Wisconsin | 16.98¢ | $0.13 | $1.53 |
| Wyoming | 11.23¢ | $0.08 | $1.01 |
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Streaming Device
- Streaming devices are among the most energy-efficient ways to watch content
- Use a streaming device instead of a gaming console for watching shows
- The TV itself draws 10-50 times more power than the streaming stick
- Standby draw is nearly zero on most modern streaming devices
Frequently Asked Questions
Active streaming: 3-5W. Standby: 1-3W. Monthly cost at the national average rate: $0.10-$0.20. Annual cost: about $1.50-$2.50. A streaming stick uses so little electricity that it costs less per year than a single incandescent bulb costs per month. Energy consumption should not factor into your streaming device purchase at all.
A Roku or Fire Stick uses 3-5W. A PS5 streaming Netflix draws 40-70W. An Xbox streaming draws 30-50W. Using the streaming device instead of the console saves about $1-2/month in electricity. If the console is already on for gaming and you switch to streaming, the incremental savings from using a separate stick are smaller. But if you are turning on the console specifically to watch a show, the streaming device is 10-20x more efficient.
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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.