An electric stove typically adds about $5-$25 per month to a U.S. electric bill, with an average near $12 for ordinary cooking. The electric stove cost per month depends mainly on cooking hours, burner and oven use, appliance efficiency, and the local electricity rate.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly electricity use | 25 kWh | 75 kWh | 150 kWh | Cooking only; use varies by household |
| Electricity rate | $0.12 per kWh | $0.16 per kWh | $0.25 per kWh | Local utility rates can fall outside this range |
| Monthly stove electricity cost | $3 | $12 | $38 | Calculated from use multiplied by rate |
| Installed stove purchase | $500 | $1,200 | $3,000 | One-time cost, not included in monthly electricity |
What an electric stove usually adds to the monthly bill
For a typical household, cooking on an electric range costs about $5-$25 per month in electricity. A practical midpoint is $12-$15 monthly, assuming 60-90 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of stove use and an electricity price of roughly $0.16 per kWh. This estimate covers the range’s burners and oven, not the refrigerator, ventilation hood, or other kitchen equipment.
Low-use households that cook occasionally may spend $3-$8 per month. Frequent baking, multiple daily meals, and long oven sessions can push the bill to $25-$40 or more, particularly where electricity costs exceed $0.20 per kWh. These are operating costs; they do not include buying, delivering, or installing the appliance.
For a quick budget, multiply monthly stove use in kWh by the price per kWh on the utility bill. A household using 75 kWh at $0.16 per kWh pays about $12 per month, or $144 per year. Actual use can differ even between similar homes because cooking habits and appliance settings matter.
Assumptions: Standard residential electric range, ordinary access, and cooking-only energy use; costs exclude fixed utility charges.
How burner and oven use turns into electricity charges
Electric stoves do not draw their maximum rated power continuously. A burner cycles on and off to maintain its setting, and an oven’s heating element cycles after the set temperature is reached. As a result, the appliance nameplate rating is useful for understanding capacity but is not a reliable monthly-use estimate by itself.
A common electric range may have a 2,000-3,000-watt large burner, smaller 1,200-1,800-watt burners, and an oven element rated around 2,000-3,500 watts. One hour of actual operation at 2,000 watts would use 2 kWh, but thermostatic cycling and cooking duration change the real total. At $0.16 per kWh, each kWh costs about 16 cents.
| Cost component | Typical monthly use | Cost at $0.16 per kWh | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small or medium burners | 15-35 kWh | $2.40-$5.60 | Number of meals and burner setting |
| Large or high-power burner | 10-30 kWh | $1.60-$4.80 | Boiling, frying, and pan size |
| Oven and broiler | 25-60 kWh | $4-$9.60 | Baking frequency, preheating, and cooking time |
| Controls and clock | 1-5 kWh | $0.16-$0.80 | Model and standby design |
| Typical total | 50-120 kWh | $8-$19.20 | Household habits and utility rate |
Oven use often accounts for a large share of a stove’s energy, but frequent high-heat burner use can also add several dollars. The component ranges are illustrative and are not meant to be added as a fixed bill for every household. A household may use only one or two burners regularly, while another may bake most days.
Which cooking habits move monthly use above 100 kWh
Time spent cooking is a useful starting point, but wattage and cycling determine how much energy that time represents. A 1,500-watt burner running at full power for one hour uses 1.5 kWh. In practice, it may cycle or operate below full output, so a long simmer usually costs less than an hour of continuous high heat.
Several use patterns can raise monthly consumption above 100 kWh. An oven used for 30-45 minutes most days, several burners used at once, or long baking sessions can produce that level. At 100 kWh, the monthly charge is $12 at $0.12 per kWh, $16 at $0.16, and $25 at $0.25.
Pan fit also matters. A pan much smaller than the burner wastes some heat around its edges, while a warped pan can heat less evenly and take longer. Keeping the oven door closed during baking avoids heat loss, and repeated preheating or using the oven for small portions adds use without necessarily improving the result.
Above 100 kWh per month, the same stove can cost $12-$25 depending on the local rate. Households that want a closer estimate can track the stove circuit with a compatible energy monitor installed by a qualified electrician, or use utility interval data if available. Plug-in monitors are generally not appropriate for a hardwired range circuit.
Three household examples at different electricity rates
These examples show how household use and local pricing interact. The monthly totals exclude fixed utility fees because those charges usually remain on the bill whether or not the stove is used. Actual utility bills may also apply time-of-use prices, taxes, or other charges.
| Cooking pattern | Estimated use | Electricity rate | Monthly cost | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light use, mostly stovetop | 35 kWh | $0.13 per kWh | $4.55 | $55 |
| Typical family cooking and baking | 75 kWh | $0.16 per kWh | $12 | $144 |
| Frequent oven and burner use | 140 kWh | $0.24 per kWh | $33.60 | $403 |
A home’s cooking pattern does not always match its household size: a small household that bakes daily can use more stove electricity than a larger household that relies on prepared food or an outdoor grill. The figures represent estimated electricity consumed by the range, not a full appliance energy audit.
At a high electricity rate, heavy oven use can cost several times more than light stovetop use. Checking the local rate is as important as estimating hours. A difference of $0.10 per kWh changes the cost of 100 kWh by $10 each month.
Electric range costs in high-rate and low-rate regions
Residential electricity prices vary substantially across the United States. A rough planning range is $0.12-$0.25 per kWh, though some customers pay less or considerably more depending on state, utility, and rate plan. At 75 kWh per month, the stove costs $9 at $0.12, about $12 at $0.16, and $18.75 at $0.25.
For the same 100 kWh of cooking, a home at $0.12 per kWh pays $12, while a home at $0.25 pays $25. That is a difference of $13 per month or $156 per year without any change in the appliance or cooking habits. Time-of-use plans may make evening cooking more expensive if peak rates apply.
Regional differences are driven mostly by the utility rate, not a different national stove price. The relevant number is the energy charge on the household’s bill, which may be listed separately from delivery charges. When the bill gives a single all-in rate, dividing the variable electricity charges by kWh provides a useful estimate.
Where local rates are unusually high, shifting oven use to off-peak hours may help if the utility plan rewards that schedule. It is not automatically cheaper to change plans; compare the full bill and rate periods before switching.
What a replacement range costs beyond its monthly power use
The monthly electricity estimate is separate from the purchase and installation budget. A basic freestanding electric range commonly costs about $500-$900, midrange models about $900-$1,800, and premium or slide-in models about $1,800-$3,500 or more. Induction ranges often fall toward the higher end, though prices vary by features and promotions.
Delivery and installation may add $100-$300 when the existing electrical connection is compatible and the old appliance can be removed normally. Haul-away may cost $20-$50 if it is not included. Electrical work, a new receptacle, cabinetry changes, or an upgraded circuit can add $150-$800 or more, depending on the work and local labor rates.
Purchase price and electrical installation are one-time expenses, while the monthly operating cost is recurring. For example, a $1,200 range amortized over 10 years represents about $10 per month before financing, repairs, or energy use. Adding a $12 electricity estimate would make a simple ownership budget about $22 per month, but this calculation does not account for resale value or replacement timing.
Labor for a straightforward delivery and connection may take about 1-2 hours. If a quote includes electrical changes, ask for the labor scope, materials, permit needs, and removal fee as separate line items.
Electric stove versus gas for the monthly cooking budget
Comparing electric and gas ranges requires looking at both the appliance’s energy source and local utility prices. An electric range may use roughly 50-120 kWh monthly for ordinary cooking, while a gas range uses gas for the burners and oven and still consumes a small amount of electricity for controls or ignition. There is no dependable nationwide winner without local rates and actual use.
For an electric range at 75 kWh monthly, electricity at $0.16 per kWh costs $12. A gas stove using 10-25 therms in a month would cost $10-$50 at a gas price of $1-$2 per therm, before any fixed gas service charge. A home that already pays for gas service may face little additional fixed cost, while a home opening a new gas account could have substantial monthly fees.
The cheaper monthly option depends on both fuel prices and whether the home already has gas service. Induction is still electric, but its faster heating and efficient transfer to cookware may reduce cooking energy compared with a conventional resistance range. Savings depend on meal patterns and can be offset by a higher purchase price or the need for induction-compatible cookware.
Lower the bill with cookware, timing, and controlled upgrades
Simple changes can reduce wasted electricity without changing the range. Use a burner that matches the pan’s base, cover pots to shorten heating time, and turn off a burner shortly before food finishes when residual heat is sufficient. For oven cooking, avoid repeated door openings and cook multiple dishes together when temperatures and food-safety requirements allow.
Small appliances can be more economical for small portions. A microwave, toaster oven, or countertop air fryer may use less energy than heating a full-size oven, particularly for short cooking tasks. The exact savings depend on appliance wattage, cook time, and portion size, so the comparison should be based on the job rather than the device name alone.
When replacing a range, compare total installed quotes and avoid paying for features that do not affect the household’s cooking. Confirm whether delivery, leveling, haul-away, and connection are included. An efficient model may help, but the monthly bill reduction is often modest; at 75 kWh per month, even a 15% reduction saves only about $1.80 monthly at $0.16 per kWh.
Reducing unnecessary oven time and matching cookware to burners usually costs nothing and can matter more than an expensive efficiency upgrade. If a stove suddenly takes much longer to heat or has a burner that does not cycle correctly, compare a repair estimate with replacement pricing before assuming high bills are normal.