How Much Does It Cost to Run a Wi-Fi Router?
A typical Wi-Fi Router uses 12W and runs about 24 hours/day. At the national average rate of 16.72¢/kWh, that costs approximately $1.44/month.
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What Affects the Cost of Running a Wi-Fi Router
Routers Run 24/7 but Draw Very Little Power
A single Wi-Fi router draws 6-12W, costing $1-2/month. This is the cost of being connected to the internet around the clock. Mesh systems with 2-3 nodes multiply this by the number of nodes (2-3x cost). Even a 3-node mesh system costs only $3-6/month. The electricity cost of home networking is inherently low.
Wi-Fi Router vs. Alternatives
How the monthly cost of a Wi-Fi Router compares to other options:
| Alternative | Est. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Router (this page) | $1.44 | At national average rate, 24hrs/day |
| Single router | ~$1-2 | Cheapest option. Sufficient for small to medium homes. |
| Mesh system (3 nodes) | ~$3-5 | 3x a single router. Necessary for large homes or thick walls. |
| Router + separate modem | ~$1.50-3 | Modem adds 5-10W. Combined gateway devices save one plug. |
| Mobile hotspot | ~$0.25-0.50 | Very low power but limited bandwidth and data caps. |
Wi-Fi Router Cost by State
What a Wi-Fi Router costs to run at 12W for 24 hours/day in every state:
| State | Rate | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14.82¢ | $1.28 | $15.37 |
| Alaska | 25.34¢ | $2.19 | $26.27 |
| Arizona | 13.81¢ | $1.19 | $14.32 |
| Arkansas | 12.63¢ | $1.09 | $13.09 |
| California | 31.41¢ | $2.71 | $32.57 |
| Colorado | 15.24¢ | $1.32 | $15.8 |
| Connecticut | 29.35¢ | $2.54 | $30.43 |
| Delaware | 15.24¢ | $1.32 | $15.8 |
| District of Columbia | 15.87¢ | $1.37 | $16.45 |
| Florida | 15.63¢ | $1.35 | $16.21 |
| Georgia | 14.12¢ | $1.22 | $14.64 |
| Hawaii | 43.21¢ | $3.73 | $44.8 |
| Idaho | 10.87¢ | $0.94 | $11.27 |
| Illinois | 16.37¢ | $1.41 | $16.97 |
| Indiana | 15.12¢ | $1.31 | $15.68 |
| Iowa | 14.23¢ | $1.23 | $14.75 |
| Kansas | 14.98¢ | $1.29 | $15.53 |
| Kentucky | 12.87¢ | $1.11 | $13.34 |
| Louisiana | 11.98¢ | $1.04 | $12.42 |
| Maine | 22.87¢ | $1.98 | $23.71 |
| Maryland | 16.12¢ | $1.39 | $16.71 |
| Massachusetts | 28.76¢ | $2.48 | $29.82 |
| Michigan | 18.76¢ | $1.62 | $19.45 |
| Minnesota | 15.34¢ | $1.33 | $15.9 |
| Mississippi | 13.76¢ | $1.19 | $14.27 |
| Missouri | 13.12¢ | $1.13 | $13.6 |
| Montana | 12.45¢ | $1.08 | $12.91 |
| Nebraska | 11.98¢ | $1.04 | $12.42 |
| Nevada | 15.03¢ | $1.3 | $15.58 |
| New Hampshire | 25.34¢ | $2.19 | $26.27 |
| New Jersey | 18.76¢ | $1.62 | $19.45 |
| New Mexico | 14.87¢ | $1.28 | $15.42 |
| New York | 22.87¢ | $1.98 | $23.71 |
| North Carolina | 13.98¢ | $1.21 | $14.49 |
| North Dakota | 11.87¢ | $1.03 | $12.31 |
| Ohio | 15.34¢ | $1.33 | $15.9 |
| Oklahoma | 11.98¢ | $1.04 | $12.42 |
| Oregon | 13.12¢ | $1.13 | $13.6 |
| Pennsylvania | 16.87¢ | $1.46 | $17.49 |
| Rhode Island | 27.12¢ | $2.34 | $28.12 |
| South Carolina | 14.98¢ | $1.29 | $15.53 |
| South Dakota | 13.76¢ | $1.19 | $14.27 |
| Tennessee | 12.87¢ | $1.11 | $13.34 |
| Texas | 14.98¢ | $1.29 | $15.53 |
| Utah | 10.87¢ | $0.94 | $11.27 |
| Vermont | 21.34¢ | $1.84 | $22.13 |
| Virginia | 15.34¢ | $1.33 | $15.9 |
| Washington | 10.76¢ | $0.93 | $11.16 |
| West Virginia | 13.12¢ | $1.13 | $13.6 |
| Wisconsin | 16.98¢ | $1.47 | $17.6 |
| Wyoming | 11.23¢ | $0.97 | $11.64 |
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Wi-Fi Router
- Routers run 24/7 but use very little power
- Mesh systems with multiple nodes use proportionally more energy
- Reboot your router monthly for best performance, not for energy savings
- Placing the router centrally reduces the need for signal repeaters
Frequently Asked Questions
A standard home router draws 6-12W continuously, costing $1-2/month at the national average rate. This is roughly equivalent to leaving a single LED bulb on 24/7. A mesh system with 3 nodes costs $3-5/month. In either case, router electricity is a small fraction of your internet service bill.
The electricity savings from turning off a router overnight (8 hours) are about $0.30-$0.60/month. This is negligible, and the downsides include losing smart home connectivity, security camera coverage, and scheduled downloads/updates. For most households, leaving the router on 24/7 is the right choice.
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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.