The Cost of Running Holiday Lights in Every State

There’s something magical about holiday lights — whether it’s a single string on the porch or a dazzling display that lights up the whole block. Seasonal lighting is a beloved tradition, but it comes with a cost.

As electricity prices vary widely from state to state, that holiday cheer may be significantly more expensive depending on where you live. Whether you’re stringing up a few wreaths or going full Clark Griswold, the type of lights you use — and your location — can impact your energy bill more than you might think.

To help illuminate the true cost of festive décor, we analyzed residential electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and calculated how much it would cost to run a typical holiday light setup for seven hours a day, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. We compared both LED and incandescent lights across three levels of usage: typical, heavy, and enthusiastic.

So, how much does holiday spirit cost in Texas, California, or Hawaii? Let’s dive into the data and find out.

For those who love to decorate but want to keep energy bills in check, LED lights offer a bright solution. They use a fraction of the electricity that incandescent bulbs require — and the savings are clear across all usage levels.

We analyzed three typical decorating styles using LED lights:

• Typical Usage: 1–3 wreaths, a garland, and about 10 light strings
• Heavy Usage: Lights outlining the roof, driveway, and walkway, plus outdoor tree wrapping and a large wreath
• Enthusiastic Usage: A fully decked-out home with roof-to-yard lighting, multiple outdoor wrapped trees, and showstopper elements like animated light show trees

States With the Highest LED Lighting Costs

1. Hawaii: Around $221.73 for enthusiastic setups
2. California: Around $183.54 (enthusiastic setups)
3. Massachusetts: Around  $169.40 (enthusiastic setups)

Even with LEDs, these states are costliest due to their high residential electricity rates.

States With the Lowest LED Lighting Costs

• Idaho, Nevada, and Nebraska all keep enthusiastic LED costs around  $73.00
• Typical users in these states may pay as little as $2.75–$2.88 for the entire holiday season

Across the board, LED decorators can expect to pay an average of:

• $4.05 for Typical Usage
• $38.85 for Heavy Usage
• $101.96 for Enthusiastic Usage

So whether you’re subtle or showy, LEDs make it possible to stay festive without burning through your budget.

If you’re still using incandescent holiday lights, your electricity bill might be feeling more “Bah, Humbug” than “Merry and Bright.” These traditional bulbs use significantly more energy than LEDs — and those extra watts add up fast, especially for enthusiastic decorators.

As with LEDs, we examined three levels of usage for incandescent lights:

• Typical Usage: 1–3 wreaths, a garland, and about 10 strings of lights
• Heavy Usage: Lights outlining the roof, driveway, and walkway, a large wreath, and wrapped trees
• Enthusiastic Usage: Full house coverage, all trees wrapped, yard displays, and synchronized light show elements

States With the Highest Incandescent Lighting Costs

1. Hawaii: Tops the list at a staggering $1,717.28 for enthusiastic users
2. California: $1,421.47 (enthusiastic users)
3. Massachusetts: $1,311.96 (enthusiastic users) 
4. Maine and Connecticut also break the $1,200 mark for enthusiastic usage

Even typical users in these states can expect to pay $40–$60.

States With the Lowest Incandescent Lighting Costs

• Idaho, Nevada, and Nebraska again offer the best value — with enthusiastic usage costs around $530–$560
• Typical usage in these states stays under $20

Average nationwide costs for incandescent lighting:

• $27.35 for Typical Usage
• $292.87 for Heavy Usage
• $789.66 for Enthusiastic Usage

If you’re still using incandescent bulbs, even a simple setup could cost six to seven times more than an equivalent LED display — making this a great year to upgrade.

With average electricity prices lower than much of the country, Texans benefit from more affordable lighting — especially when choosing efficient LEDs. Typical LED decorators in Texas can expect to spend about $3.44 for the season, while even the most enthusiastic setups average around $86.53, both below the national averages of $4.05 and $101.96.

For those still stringing traditional incandescent bulbs, the difference is even clearer. A “typical” Texas display runs about $23.21, climbing to roughly $670.16 for an elaborate home — still notably lower than the national average of $789.66 for enthusiastic users.

In a deregulated energy market like Texas, consumers have the power to compare electricity providers and choose the best plan for their needs. That flexibility can make a big difference during the holidays, helping residents keep their homes bright without breaking the bank.

Looking to stay festive without the financial frostbite? Here are a few simple ways to brighten your home while keeping your energy bill in check:

• Switch to LEDs: They use up to 80% less electricity than incandescent bulbs.
• Use a timer: Set lights to turn on at dusk and off by bedtime — no need to run them all night.
  
• Decorate selectively: Focus on high-impact areas like your front entry or windows rather than lighting every surface.
  
• Unplug during the day: Lights are for nighttime — save energy by keeping them off when the sun’s out.
  
• Compare electricity plans: In deregulated states, shopping for a better rate can cut your costs all season long.

With a few smart choices, you can celebrate the season in style — without overspending.

Whether you’re stringing a few wreaths or lighting up the whole block, the cost of holiday cheer varies widely depending on your state — and your choice of lights. While Hawaii, California, and Massachusetts top the charts for seasonal electricity spend, states like Idaho and Nebraska keep costs far lower.

The biggest takeaway? LEDs are the smart choice for both your wallet and the environment. Even the most extravagant LED display costs hundreds less than its incandescent equivalent.

To estimate the cost of running holiday lights in every state, we used monthly residential electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) as of mid-2025. We assumed holiday lights would be used for seven hours per day, from 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM, over a 34-day period spanning the day after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.

We calculated electricity usage for three levels of decoration — Typical, Heavy, and Enthusiastic — using both LED and incandescent light strands, wreaths, garlands, and lighted displays. For each scenario, we estimated the total kilowatt-hours (kWh) consumed, then multiplied by each state’s average residential rate to determine cost.

All figures are rounded for clarity and represent approximate electricity costs based on standard usage patterns. Actual results may vary depending on bulb wattage, display size, and local energy rates.

You are welcome to use, reference, and share non-commercial excerpts of this study with proper attribution. If you cite or cover our findings, please link back to this page so readers can view the full methodology, charts, and context.