Clothes Dryer Running Cost Calculator
A dryer's purchase price is only part of the story. Running costs vary widely depending on the machine's wattage, how often you use it, and what you pay for electricity. This calculator works with any electric or gas dryer: enter your loads per week, the kWh per cycle from the model's published spec or energy guide, and your local electricity rate. The tool returns a yearly cost figure you can use to compare models side by side.
No lab testing is involved. The figures come from published specifications and standard usage patterns. A compact portable dryer pulling 1,000 to 1,500 watts per cycle and a full-size 240V machine drawing 5,000 watts will land in very different cost brackets, even at the same loads-per-week setting. Use this tool to make that gap concrete before you commit to a model.
Calculator
How the math works
Yearly cost = dryer loads per week x 52 weeks x kWh per cycle x your $/kWh rate
Every spec in this tool comes from the product data behind our best compact dryer for apartments; see how we choose.
U.S. residential electricity rates by state
The calculator's state dropdown uses these numbers. Download the full table as CSV.
Show all 51 states & rates
| Alabama | 17.15 |
| Alaska | 27.17 |
| Arizona | 15.59 |
| Arkansas | 13.63 |
| California | 33.35 |
| Colorado | 16.74 |
| Connecticut | 30.47 |
| Delaware | 17.64 |
| District of Columbia | 25.0 |
| Florida | 14.86 |
| Georgia | 15.01 |
| Hawaii | 42.23 |
| Idaho | 13.01 |
| Illinois | 18.86 |
| Indiana | 17.85 |
| Iowa | 13.42 |
| Kansas | 15.34 |
| Kentucky | 14.88 |
| Louisiana | 14.16 |
| Maine | 28.32 |
| Maryland | 22.2 |
| Massachusetts | 30.21 |
| Michigan | 21.2 |
| Minnesota | 15.08 |
| Mississippi | 16.3 |
| Missouri | 13.44 |
| Montana | 13.48 |
| Nebraska | 13.1 |
| Nevada | 14.17 |
| New Hampshire | 26.92 |
| New Jersey | 23.49 |
| New Mexico | 14.81 |
| New York | 28.55 |
| North Carolina | 16.0 |
| North Dakota | 11.95 |
| Ohio | 18.78 |
| Oklahoma | 13.56 |
| Oregon | 14.89 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.92 |
| Rhode Island | 29.91 |
| South Carolina | 16.45 |
| South Dakota | 14.29 |
| Tennessee | 15.08 |
| Texas | 16.39 |
| Utah | 13.17 |
| Vermont | 24.11 |
| Virginia | 17.05 |
| Washington | 14.4 |
| West Virginia | 16.37 |
| Wisconsin | 18.8 |
| Wyoming | 13.59 |
Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A, March 2026. Retrieved 2026-06-10. U.S. average: 18.56 cents/kWh.
Frequently asked questions
How is the yearly running cost calculated?
The formula is: loads per week x 52 weeks x kWh per cycle x your electricity rate in dollars per kWh. For a compact portable drawing 1.5 kWh per cycle, used 4 times a week at $0.14 per kWh, that works out to about $43.68 per year. A full-size electric dryer consuming 5 kWh per cycle at the same frequency and rate costs roughly $145.60 annually. The difference becomes meaningful over a two-to-four year ownership horizon.
What is a realistic kWh per cycle for different dryer types?
Portable compact dryers, including models like the Panda Pan725sf (1.5 cu ft) and the Magic Chef MCSDRY1S (2.6 cu ft), typically draw 1 to 1.5 kWh per cycle based on their wattage and average cycle length. Mid-size portables around 3 to 3.5 cu ft range from 1.5 to 2.5 kWh. Full-size electric dryers running on 240V, such as the Amana NED4655EW (6.5 cu ft), commonly fall between 4 and 6 kWh per cycle. Gas dryers cost less per cycle in energy terms but require a gas line.
Does the calculator work for both electric and gas dryers?
For electric dryers, the kWh per cycle comes directly from the energy guide or wattage spec. For gas dryers, you can convert BTU consumption per cycle to a cost using your gas rate, or use an equivalent electric figure for rough comparisons. The Amana NED4655EW is a standard 240V electric model; gas alternatives like larger Kenmore units require a separate gas cost calculation. The calculator input is flexible, so you can enter any per-cycle cost you derive.
Can I compare two dryers side by side with this tool?
Yes. Run the calculation twice using the same loads-per-week and electricity rate inputs, but swap in each model's kWh per cycle. For example, comparing the Panda PANSP23B_001 (22 lb capacity, priced at $174.99) with the Westland WDV2200XCD (11 lb capacity, $1,414.94) on running cost may reveal that the price gap narrows or widens depending on your usage volume and local rate.
What if I do not know my electricity rate?
The U.S. national average hovers around $0.13 to $0.16 per kWh as of recent figures. Your bill will show your exact rate, usually listed as cents per kWh. Rates vary considerably by state, so using your actual bill number will give a more accurate result than the national average. Even a few cents difference per kWh adds up to tens of dollars over a full year of regular use.