Cost to run a clothes dryer in California
About $198.09 a year for a typical model, at the California average of 32.58 cents per kWh.
How California compares
The same clothes dryer costs $110.60 a year at the U.S. average rate, so in California you pay $87.49 more. See the California electricity rate for the full picture.
Efficient or high-use: the range in California
| Model type | kWh per year | Per year | Over 10 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Efficient | 246 | $79.98 | $799.84 |
| Typical | 608 | $198.09 | $1,980.86 |
| High use | 608 | $198.09 | $1,980.86 |
Between the efficient and the high-use model, the difference in California adds up to about $1,181.03 over 10 years. Electric dryers only. Gas dryers are left out because most of their energy is not on the electric bill.
Models that cost the least to run in California
| Model | Details | kWh per year | Cost per year in California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch WQB245AXUC | Electric, 3.9 | 122 | $39.75 |
| Bosch WTW87NH1UC | Electric, 4 | 125 | $40.73 |
| Samsung DV25B69**H* | Electric, 4 | 125 | $40.73 |
| Samsung DV25FG50*0** | Electric, 4 | 125 | $40.73 |
| Miele TWF160 WP | Electric, 4.1 | 133 | $43.33 |
| Miele TWI180 WP | Electric, 4.1 | 133 | $43.33 |
| Miele TWB120 WP | Electric, 4.1 | 133 | $43.33 |
| LG DLHC1455* | Electric, 4.2 | 133 | $43.33 |
| Miele TXR860WP | Electric, 4.1 | 133 | $43.33 |
| Miele TWI680WP | Electric, 4.1 | 133 | $43.33 |
See clothes dryers in all states
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a clothes dryer in California?
About $198.09 a year, or $16.51 a month, for a typical ENERGY STAR certified model that uses 608 kWh a year at the California average rate of 32.58 cents per kWh.
Is that more or less than in other states?
It is $87.49 a year more than the same clothes dryer at the U.S. average rate. California ranks 2 of 51 for electricity price, where 1 is the most expensive.
How much can an efficient clothes dryer save in California?
Over 10 years, a model in the most efficient 10% costs about $1,181.03 less to run in California than a model in the 10% that use the most, at today's rate.
Same clothes dryer, nearby in the ranking
- Hawaii $282.17 a year
- Maine $183.80 a year
- Massachusetts $183.56 a year
Other appliances in California
- Refrigerators in California
- Mini fridges in California
- Freezers in California
- Dishwashers in California
- Clothes washers in California
- Dehumidifiers in California
- Room air conditioners in California
- Televisions in California
How we get these numbers: yearly electricity use comes from the ENERGY STAR certified product lists, measured with the federal test procedure. The rate is the average residential price the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports for each state, January to August 2026. Your own bill depends on your utility, your plan and how you use the appliance. See sources.