Cost to Run Microwave Oven in California (2026)
At California's average rate of 31.22¢/kWh, running a Microwave Oven costs $5.62/month or $68.37/year. That's 81.3% more than the national average of $3.10/month.
Monthly Cost
$5.62
in California
Yearly Cost
$68.37
in California
State Rate
31.22¢
per kWh
National Rank
#49
of 50 states
Microwave Oven Energy Usage
| Wattage | 1,200 watts |
| Typical Daily Use | 0.5 hours/day |
| Daily kWh | 0.60 kWh |
| Monthly kWh | 18.0 kWh |
| Category | Kitchen |
California vs National Average: Microwave Oven Costs
| Metric | California | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity Rate | 31.22¢/kWh | 17.22¢/kWh | +14.00¢ |
| Monthly Microwave Oven Cost | $5.62 | $3.10 | +$2.52 |
| Yearly Microwave Oven Cost | $68.37 | $37.71 | +$30.66 |
Microwave Oven Cost in Neighboring States
How does running a Microwave Oven in California compare to nearby states?
Microwave Oven Cost: All 50 States Ranked
California ranks #49 out of 50 for Microwave Oven running costs (1 = cheapest).
| # | State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho | 11.15¢ | $2.01 | $24.42 |
| 2 | Washington | 11.26¢ | $2.03 | $24.66 |
| 3 | Utah | 11.41¢ | $2.05 | $24.99 |
| 4 | Wyoming | 11.72¢ | $2.11 | $25.67 |
| 5 | North Dakota | 12.43¢ | $2.24 | $27.22 |
| 6 | Louisiana | 12.52¢ | $2.25 | $27.42 |
| 7 | Oregon | 12.55¢ | $2.26 | $27.48 |
| 8 | Montana | 12.81¢ | $2.31 | $28.05 |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 12.82¢ | $2.31 | $28.08 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 12.91¢ | $2.32 | $28.27 |
| 11 | Arkansas | 13.04¢ | $2.35 | $28.56 |
| 12 | Nebraska | 13.08¢ | $2.35 | $28.65 |
| 13 | Kentucky | 13.19¢ | $2.37 | $28.89 |
| 14 | West Virginia | 13.44¢ | $2.42 | $29.43 |
| 15 | Mississippi | 13.54¢ | $2.44 | $29.65 |
| 16 | South Dakota | 13.74¢ | $2.47 | $30.09 |
| 17 | Missouri | 13.78¢ | $2.48 | $30.18 |
| 18 | North Carolina | 14.09¢ | $2.54 | $30.86 |
| 19 | Georgia | 14.27¢ | $2.57 | $31.25 |
| 20 | South Carolina | 14.43¢ | $2.60 | $31.60 |
| 21 | Virginia | 14.64¢ | $2.64 | $32.06 |
| 22 | Arizona | 14.78¢ | $2.66 | $32.37 |
| 23 | Alabama | 14.87¢ | $2.68 | $32.57 |
| 24 | Nevada | 14.92¢ | $2.69 | $32.67 |
| 25 | Delaware | 14.94¢ | $2.69 | $32.72 |
| 26 | Texas | 15.06¢ | $2.71 | $32.98 |
| 27 | Iowa | 15.14¢ | $2.73 | $33.16 |
| 28 | Ohio | 15.21¢ | $2.74 | $33.31 |
| 29 | Kansas | 15.28¢ | $2.75 | $33.46 |
| 30 | New Mexico | 15.34¢ | $2.76 | $33.59 |
| 31 | Indiana | 15.42¢ | $2.78 | $33.77 |
| 32 | Colorado | 15.56¢ | $2.80 | $34.08 |
| 33 | Minnesota | 15.63¢ | $2.81 | $34.23 |
| 34 | Florida | 16.22¢ | $2.92 | $35.52 |
| 35 | Illinois | 16.27¢ | $2.93 | $35.63 |
| 36 | Maryland | 16.57¢ | $2.98 | $36.29 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | 17.38¢ | $3.13 | $38.06 |
| 38 | Pennsylvania | 18.36¢ | $3.30 | $40.21 |
| 39 | New Jersey | 18.48¢ | $3.33 | $40.47 |
| 40 | Michigan | 19.34¢ | $3.48 | $42.35 |
| 41 | Vermont | 21.43¢ | $3.86 | $46.93 |
| 42 | Alaska | 24.21¢ | $4.36 | $53.02 |
| 43 | New York | 24.33¢ | $4.38 | $53.28 |
| 44 | New Hampshire | 25.78¢ | $4.64 | $56.46 |
| 45 | Maine | 26.37¢ | $4.75 | $57.75 |
| 46 | Rhode Island | 28.08¢ | $5.05 | $61.50 |
| 47 | Massachusetts | 28.58¢ | $5.14 | $62.59 |
| 48 | Connecticut | 29.98¢ | $5.40 | $65.66 |
| 49 | California | 31.22¢ | $5.62 | $68.37 |
| 50 | Hawaii | 43.18¢ | $7.77 | $94.56 |
Save Money on Microwave Oven in California
- Use your Microwave Oven efficiently by running full loads and avoiding preheating when not needed.
- Consider batch cooking to reduce overall kitchen appliance running time.
- Match your Microwave Oven size to your household needs - oversized appliances waste energy.
- Use lids on pots and pans to cook faster and reduce energy consumption.
- Look for Energy Star certified Microwave Oven models that use 10-50% less energy than standard models.
- Consider installing solar panels in California to offset your Microwave Oven electricity costs.
- Check if your California utility offers time-of-use rates and run your Microwave Oven during off-peak hours.
- Ensure proper maintenance of your Microwave Oven to keep it running at peak efficiency.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to run a Microwave Oven in California?
Running a Microwave Oven in California costs approximately $5.62 per month or $68.37 per year, based on the state's average residential rate of 31.22¢/kWh and typical usage of 0.5 hours per day.
Is running a Microwave Oven expensive in California compared to other states?
California ranks #49 out of 50 states for Microwave Oven running costs (1 = cheapest). It's 81.3% more expensive than the national average. The cheapest state is Idaho at $2.01/month, and the most expensive is Hawaii at $7.77/month.
How much electricity does a Microwave Oven use per month?
A typical Microwave Oven uses 1200 watts and runs about 0.5 hours per day, consuming approximately 0.60 kWh daily or 18.0 kWh per month.
How can I reduce Microwave Oven electricity costs in California?
You can reduce costs by using an Energy Star rated Microwave Oven, running it during off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use rates, ensuring proper maintenance, and considering solar panels to offset electricity costs in California.
What is the electricity rate in California?
The average residential electricity rate in California is 31.22¢ per kWh. The primary energy source is Natural Gas, with 38.0% from renewable sources.
Was this data helpful?
Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)