What Does It Cost to Run a Microwave in North Dakota?
Running a microwave in North Dakota costs about $1.11 a month — $13.52 a year — at the state's average rate of 12.35 ¢/kWh. That's roughly $7.63 a year less than a household paying the national average pays for the exact same microwave. The estimate assumes a typical 1,200-watt microwave running 0.25 hours/day, at the all-in average rate (delivery, fixed charges, and utility fees already included; locally billed taxes vary by area).
Key metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average wattage assumption | 1,200 W |
| Typical usage assumption | 0.25 hours/day |
| Estimated monthly electricity use | 9.00 kWh |
| Estimated monthly cost | $1.11 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $13.52 |
Microwave cost vs U.S. average
At the state average rate, a microwave in North Dakota costs $0.63 less a month than it would at the U.S. average rate.
How much electricity does a microwave use?
A microwave draws roughly 600-1,500 W; we use 1,200 watts running 0.25 hours/day. That comes to 0.30 kWh a day — 9.00 kWh a month, or 109.5 kWh over a year — using kWh = watts × hours ÷ 1000.
Microwaves draw meaningful power when running, but short cooking times keep total monthly cost relatively low. North Dakota prices that energy at 12.35 ¢/kWh, against a 19.32 ¢/kWh national average.
Microwave operating cost estimate in North Dakota
| Time period | Energy use | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | 1.20 kWh | $0.15 |
| Per day | 0.30 kWh | $0.04 |
| Per month | 9.00 kWh | $1.11 |
| Per year | 109.5 kWh | $13.52 |
These figures use the all-in average rate. Your actual bill can run higher when separately billed taxes, seasonal pricing, and fixed monthly fees apply.
What changes the cost the most?
Two things move this number: your state's rate, which you can't change, and how hard the appliance works, which you often can. For a microwave, that mostly comes down to daily use frequency, power setting, meal prep habits.
Using yours more lightly or heavily than our assumption? The state calculator and usage-cost pages below model your exact scenario at the same rate.
For calculator-style comparisons, use the Microwave calculator in North Dakota to compare light, typical, and heavy usage profiles.
Comparison entry points
Browse related comparisons from the energy comparison hub:
Related appliance cost pages for North Dakota
- Refrigerator cost in North Dakota — Typical 40-100 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Dishwasher cost in North Dakota — Typical 1,200-1,800 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Electric Oven cost in North Dakota — Typical 2,000-5,000 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Toaster Oven cost in North Dakota — Typical 1,200-1,800 W estimate with state-specific pricing
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a microwave in North Dakota?
At 0.25 hours/day and the state average rate of 12.35 ¢/kWh, you'd pay about $1.11 a month.
Does this estimate include delivery fees and taxes?
Yes — the all-in average rate already includes delivery, fixed charges, and utility fees; locally billed taxes vary by area.
Where else can I compare this appliance?
See the appliance comparison guide, or the North Dakota bill estimator for whole-household profiles.
State cost and bill pathways for North Dakota
- Average power price in North Dakota — What a kWh of electricity costs in North Dakota
- North Dakota electricity rates — Core authority page with statewide pricing context
- Electricity cost in North Dakota — State-level cost, affordability, and value overview
- North Dakota monthly electricity bill estimate — What a typical monthly bill looks like
- Electric bill estimator scenarios in North Dakota — Estimate your bill from your monthly usage
- North Dakota data profile — Machine-readable state profile and metrics
Historical and trend pages
- Historical electricity prices in North Dakota — Historical context and trend interpretation
- Electricity inflation in North Dakota — State electricity inflation analysis
- North Dakota electricity price volatility — Volatility and rate movement profile
Fixed-usage and calculator pathways
- 100 kWh cost in North Dakota — Cost for this usage amount in the same state
- 300 kWh cost in North Dakota — Cost for this usage amount in the same state
- 500 kWh cost in North Dakota — Cost for this usage amount in the same state
- Custom usage calculator for North Dakota — Custom kWh and scenario cost calculation
Appliance and estimator pathways
- Refrigerator cost in North Dakota — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Refrigerator calculator in North Dakota — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
- Space Heater cost in North Dakota — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Space Heater calculator in North Dakota — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
- Window Ac cost in North Dakota — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Window Ac calculator in North Dakota — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
State comparison pathways for North Dakota
- Compare North Dakota with other states — State-to-state comparison hub
- North Dakota vs California electricity cost — Head-to-head comparison page
- North Dakota vs Florida electricity cost — Head-to-head comparison page
Discovery and navigation hubs
- North Dakota electricity hub — Guide to this state's electricity rate, usage, comparison, and tool pages
- Electricity cost scenario hub — Entry point for residential and industry scenario pages
- North Dakota electricity cost overview — State-level electricity cost page with rates and typical bill context
- North Dakota average electricity bill benchmark — Typical monthly bill estimate using a standard household usage assumption
- North Dakota electricity bill estimator — Household profile bill scenarios for this state
- Electricity usage hubs — Browse cost pages by common household usage tiers
Consumer electricity drivers
- Price drivers in North Dakota — Understand what influences state electricity prices
Source & Method
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Retail Sales of Electricity. Updated: April 2026. Estimates use the EIA all-in average residential rate — energy, delivery, fixed charges, and utility fees together, not just the electricity itself. Fees are inside the rate, not an extra on top; how your own bill splits fixed versus per-kWh charges varies by utility. For what's inside the all-in rate, see hidden electricity fees; for how rates and estimates are defined, see the methodology hub.