How Much You Pay to Sleep in Every State

Going to bed might feel like hitting pause on the day — but your home does not fully power down when you do. While you sleep, your refrigerator keeps running, your Wi-Fi router stays connected, your phone may be charging, and standby electronics, ceiling fans, and climate control can continue using electricity through the night.

To estimate the hidden cost of keeping a household powered overnight, we analyzed residential electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and applied them to a standardized overnight energy-use model. The model estimates that a typical household uses 8.73 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity overnight from common devices and heating or cooling needs.

Because electricity prices vary widely across the country, that same overnight routine can cost much more depending on where you live. So, how much are Americans really paying to sleep? Let’s take a look.

Using a standardized overnight energy estimate of 8.73 kWh, we calculated the estimated cost of powering a typical household while residents sleep in every state. This includes common overnight electricity use from devices and systems such as a refrigerator, TV or standby electronics, phone charger, Wi-Fi router or modem, ceiling fan, and heating or cooling.

On average, households spend about $594 per year on this overnight electricity use. But the total varies significantly from state to state.

In North Dakota, the lowest-cost state in the study, powering a household overnight costs about $376 per year. In Hawaii, the highest-cost state, the same estimated electricity use costs about $1,328 per year.

That means a household in Hawaii pays more than three and a half times as much as a household in North Dakota for the same standardized overnight usage.

The difference comes down to electricity rates. Since every state was assigned the same overnight energy use, higher-cost states rise to the top because each kilowatt-hour is more expensive.

States Where It Costs the Most to Sleep

Not all bedtime routines cost the same. Even when households use the same estimated amount of electricity overnight, residents in high-rate states pay much more to keep their homes running while they sleep.

The 5 Most Expensive States to Power a Home Overnight (Average Annual Cost)

• Hawaii – $1,328
• California – $1,048
• Connecticut – $958
• Massachusetts – $950
• Rhode Island – $940

Hawaii tops the list by a wide margin, with an estimated overnight electricity cost of $3.69 per night. That adds up to about $111 per month or $1,328 per year.

California is the only other state where the estimated annual cost exceeds $1,000. Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island round out the top five, with annual costs ranging from $940 to $958.

These states tend to have higher residential electricity rates, which means even ordinary overnight energy use, like keeping the refrigerator running or maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature, can add up faster.

States Where It Costs the Least to Sleep

At the other end of the ranking, lower electricity rates help keep overnight household costs much more manageable.

The 5 Least Expensive States to Power a Home Overnight (Average Annual Cost)

• North Dakota – $376
• Idaho – $409
• Nebraska – $412
• Utah – $414
• Iowa – $422

North Dakota has the lowest estimated cost in the study, at about $1.04 per night or $31 per month. Idaho, Nebraska, Utah, and Iowa all stay well below the national average of $594 per year.

For households in these states, the same standardized overnight electricity use costs hundreds of dollars less per year than it does in the most expensive states.

In Texas, the hidden cost of sleep lands near the middle of the national rankings. The average Texas household spends an estimated $1.43 per night on electricity used while residents sleep. That adds up to roughly $43 per month or $515 per year.

That is lower than the national average of $594 per year, meaning Texas households pay about $79 less annually than the average household in the study.

Texas’ residential electricity rate in the data is 16.39 cents per kWh, which is below the study average of 18.89 cents per kWh. That helps keep Texas out of the most expensive group, even though many Texas households may use significant electricity overall due to larger homes, air conditioning demand, and long hot seasons.

In a deregulated energy market like Texas, consumers have the power to compare electricity providers and choose a plan that fits their household’s needs. That flexibility can make a real difference – not just during peak usage times, but during the everyday hours when energy use often goes unnoticed.

You do not need to unplug your whole house before bed to make a difference. A few small changes can help reduce overnight energy waste while keeping your home comfortable.

• Adjust your thermostat before bed: Heating and cooling are often the biggest overnight energy drivers. A programmable or smart thermostat can help reduce unnecessary runtime while you sleep.
• Use ceiling fans wisely: Fans can make bedrooms feel more comfortable, but they cool people, not rooms. Turn them off in empty rooms to avoid wasting electricity.
• Cut down on standby power: TVs, speakers, game consoles, chargers, and other idle electronics can continue drawing small amounts of power overnight. Smart plugs or power strips make it easier to shut off groups of devices.
• Keep your refrigerator running efficiently: Check door seals, avoid overpacking, and make sure there is space for airflow around the appliance.
• Charge devices intentionally: Phones and tablets do not always need to stay plugged in all night. Charging before bed or using efficient chargers can help reduce unnecessary power draw.
• Compare electricity plans: In deregulated markets, shopping for a better electricity plan can help reduce costs across your entire bill — including the energy your home uses while you sleep.

Even when your household is asleep, your home is still using electricity. Refrigerators, routers, chargers, standby electronics, fans, and climate control all contribute to a quiet but steady overnight energy cost.

Across the country, that cost averages about $594 per year, but the amount varies widely depending on where you live. Households in Hawaii pay the most, at an estimated $1,328 per year, while North Dakota households pay the least, at about $376 per year.

The good news? Understanding these hidden costs can help consumers make smarter energy decisions. Adjusting thermostat settings, reducing standby power, using fans efficiently, and keeping appliances in good shape can all help reduce overnight waste.

For Texans, choosing the right electricity plan is another important step. Power Wizard simplifies the process of browsing, filtering, and comparing plans based on a customer’s needs and preferences, helping ensure that energy choices align with both lifestyle and budget.

“Most people think about electricity when the lights are on, but the meter keeps moving after bedtime,” says Brent Moore, Vice President and General Manager of Power Wizard. “Understanding those hidden overnight costs can help households make smarter choices, from how they manage their thermostat to the electricity plan they choose.”

To estimate how much it costs to power a typical household while residents sleep, Power Wizard created a standardized overnight electricity-use model and applied it across all states and Washington, D.C.

The model used an 8-hour overnight period, from 11 PM to 7 AM, and estimated total household electricity use at 8.732 kWh per night, rounded to 8.73 kWh in the article and graphics. The model included common devices and systems that may remain on overnight, including a refrigerator, TV or standby electronics, phone charger, white noise machine, Wi-Fi router or modem, ceiling fan, and a standardized heating or cooling load.

Total overnight electricity use was multiplied by each state’s residential electricity rate from the U.S. Energy Information Administration to estimate nightly costs. Monthly costs were calculated using a 30-night month, and annual costs were calculated by multiplying the monthly estimate by 12.

Because the same overnight energy-use estimate was applied to every state, differences in estimated costs reflect differences in residential electricity rates rather than assumed differences in household behavior.

All figures are rounded for clarity. Actual costs will vary based on factors such as home size, appliance efficiency, thermostat settings, climate, electricity plan, and household habits.

Data note: Maryland’s residential electricity rate reflects the EIA’s corrected March 2026 figure of 22.2 cents per kWh. The EIA revised the rate after initially publishing an incorrect figure.

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